Fresh Mediterranean Chicken Recipe with Artichokes & Sun-Dried Gems
Dive into a Mediterranean culinary adventure with this irresistible chicken with sun-dried tomatoes that bursts with vibrant flavors and elegant simplicity.
Tender chicken breasts nestle among briny capers and luscious artichoke hearts, creating a harmony of textures and tastes.
Each bite promises a delightful journey through rich, tangy notes that dance across your palate.
The combination of ingredients brings a rustic charm to your dinner table, effortlessly elevating a weeknight meal.
Bright sun-dried tomatoes add a deep, concentrated sweetness that perfectly complements the savory chicken.
capers provide a delightful pop of briny complexity that will make taste buds sing.
This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience you won’t want to miss.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 490 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients for Mediterranean Chicken with Extras
For Protein and Seasoning:
Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides a tender base for the Mediterranean flavors, choose fresh, high-quality cuts with minimal fat.
Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural taste and create a foundational flavor profile.
For Coating and Preparation:
Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior for the chicken, opt for gluten-free varieties if needed for dietary restrictions.
Olive Oil: Helps create a golden-brown crust and adds a rich, smooth Mediterranean essence to the dish.
For Flavor Boosters:
Roasted Artichoke Hearts: Adds a tangy, slightly nutty dimension with a soft texture that complements the chicken.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Brings intense, concentrated sweetness and a chewy texture that adds depth to the Mediterranean profile.
Capers: Delivers a briny, salty punch that cuts through the richness and provides a zesty contrast.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire dish with its fresh, citrusy acidity and helps balance the rich ingredients.
Tools for This Mediterranean Chicken Dish
Large skillet: Essential for browning chicken and cooking the entire dish with rich, even heat.
Tongs: Perfect for flipping and handling chicken securely during cooking.
Cutting board: Needed for any preliminary ingredient prep like chopping or arranging.
Measuring spoons: Helps accurately season chicken with salt and pepper.
Shallow dish: Useful for dredging chicken in flour before cooking.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Great for stirring vegetables and scraping pan's flavorful bits.
Instructions to Make This Chicken Stand Out
Seasoning Prep Coat the chicken pieces with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then lightly dust with flour for a golden crispy exterior.
Sizzling Start Heat olive oil in a large skillet and create a beautiful golden-brown crust on the chicken by cooking for about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.
Flavor Explosion Toss artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers into the same skillet, allowing them to dance and mingle with the delicious pan drippings. Splash in some bright lemon juice to wake up the flavors.
Finishing Touch Lower the heat and gently return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the colorful vegetables. Let everything simmer together for 5-10 minutes until the chicken is perfectly cooked through.
Plate and Serve Arrange the chicken on a beautiful platter, generously spooning the vibrant vegetable mixture and rich pan sauce over the top. The result is a Mediterranean masterpiece that promises to transport your taste buds to the sunny coastal regions.
Optional Additions for Mediterranean Chicken
Replace chicken with tender white fish like cod or halibut for a lighter Mediterranean seafood twist that keeps the vibrant flavor profile intact.
Sprinkle fresh chopped basil, oregano, or parsley over the finished dish to boost aromatic complexity and add a bright, fresh layer of taste.
Deglaze the skillet with a splash of dry white wine before adding vegetables to create deeper, more complex pan sauce with incredible depth of flavor.
This recipe can be completely prepared up to 24 hours in advance and gently reheated, allowing flavors to meld and intensify overnight in the refrigerator – perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
Skip traditional flour dredging and use almond flour or cornstarch to achieve the same golden crispy chicken exterior while keeping the recipe gluten-free and equally delicious.
Plating Ideas for Mediterranean Chicken Delight
Rustic Dinner Party Centerpiece: Impress guests by arranging the chicken on a large wooden board, surrounded by the colorful Mediterranean vegetable mixture, creating a stunning family-style presentation.
Mediterranean Mezze Platter Companion: Serve alongside warm pita bread, hummus, and a crisp Greek salad to complement the rich flavors of the chicken and enhance the overall dining experience.
Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the dish with a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc, which beautifully balances the tangy capers and bright lemon notes.
Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the chicken just before serving to add a vibrant pop of color and fresh herbaceous aroma that elevates the entire dish.
Keep Mediterranean Chicken Good for Leftovers
Advance Prep Magic: Slice chicken and chop vegetables the night before to reduce cooking time by 15 minutes on busy weeknights.
Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the vegetables and sauce separate to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Pack cooled chicken and sauce in freezer-safe containers, allowing 1-inch space for expansion. Enjoy within 2 months for best flavor and quality.
Quick Reheat Technique: Warm refrigerated or thawed meals in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of olive oil to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
Mediterranean-inspired chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and capers combines zesty Mediterranean flavors in one skillet. Elegant ingredients and quick preparation make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast (thinly sliced)
2 tbsps lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
8 oz (226 g) roasted artichoke hearts (drained)
6 oz (170 g) sun-dried tomatoes
5 tbsps olive oil
3 tbsps capers (drained)
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp ground black pepper
0.25 cup flour (you can use gluten-free flour)
Instructions
Preparation: Generously season chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper, then delicately dust with all-purpose flour, creating a light, even coating.
Searing: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear floured chicken until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side, then transfer to a clean plate.
Vegetable Infusion: In the same skillet, combine marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and lemon juice. Gently stir to incorporate the flavorful browned bits and allow vegetables to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Finishing: Reduce heat to medium-low, drizzle additional olive oil, and return chicken to the skillet. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Plating: Arrange chicken breasts on serving plates, lavishly spoon the Mediterranean vegetable medley over the top, and finish with a final drizzle of olive oil for a vibrant, aromatic presentation.
Notes
Flour Coating Technique: Lightly dust chicken with flour for a delicate, crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and create golden-brown searing.
Searing Secrets: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve perfect caramelization and develop rich, flavorful browned bits.
Temperature Control: Monitor chicken’s internal temperature carefully, aiming for exactly 165°F to guarantee juicy, safely cooked meat without drying out.
Flavor Layering: Allow vegetables to simmer briefly in pan drippings to intensify Mediterranean flavors and create a cohesive, aromatic sauce that elevates the entire dish.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.