Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (Printable version)
Tender chicken with colorful vegetables in a zesty lemon-herb sauce for a quick, healthy Mediterranean-inspired meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 3.5 oz baby spinach leaves
→ Marinade & Sauce
08 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1 tsp sea salt
15 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
16 - ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and juice, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken slices and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes, up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
02 - Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and sauté for 4–5 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
03 - In the same skillet, add red onion, bell peppers, and zucchini. Stir fry for 4–5 minutes until tender yet crisp.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and baby spinach to the skillet. Stir fry for 1–2 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften slightly.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together for 1–2 minutes until evenly mixed and heated through. Adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and sprinkle with feta cheese (if using) and fresh parsley before serving.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup takes exactly three minutes
- The lemon garlic marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant
02 -
- Dont skip the lemon zest because it holds the essential oils that give you that bright aromatic hit
- Crowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it so work in batches if needed
03 -
- Heat your pan properly before adding the chicken so you get that golden sear
- Pat the chicken dry before marinating so the sauce actually sticks to the meat