Mediterranean Chicken and Olives
Create a flavorful Mediterranean dish with olives and chicken. Incorporate ingredients like tomatoes, olives, herbs, spices & more to get delicious results!
If you love bold flavors and effortless cooking, this Mediterranean Chicken with Olives is a must-try! Every bite is packed with warmth, tang, and a depth of flavor that transports you straight to the Mediterranean coast. It’s the kind of dish that feels rustic yet elegant, perfect for both a cozy weeknight meal and an impressive dinner for guests.
I’ve always been drawn to Mediterranean flavors—the simplicity of fresh ingredients coming together in the most incredible way. Growing up, my family’s dinners were filled with dishes inspired by bold spices and slow-simmered sauces. But this chicken dish is one I perfected over time, adjusting the balance of acidity, saltiness, and herbs to get it just right. The first time I made it, my kitchen smelled like a little European bistro, and my kids couldn’t wait to dig in! Now, it’s a staple at our table, often served with couscous or crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that flavorful sauce
Why is this the best recipe
- Flavorful Ingredients: The combination of red onions, garlic, cinnamon, bay leaves, brown sugar, paprika, date syrup, apricot jam, crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, lemon slices, and olives creates a complex and rich flavor profile with sweet, savory, and tangy notes.
- Tender Chicken: Braising the chicken thighs and legs in the flavorful sauce ensures they become incredibly tender and juicy, infused with all the delicious flavors from the ingredients.
- Balance of Sweet and Savory: Adding brown sugar, date syrup, and apricot jam balances the savory flavors from the chicken and olives, creating a harmonious, sweet-savory combination that appeals to the taste buds.
- Easy Preparation: While this recipe requires a few steps, it’s relatively straightforward and can be made on the stovetop with minimal fuss. Plus, the ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Chicken Thighs and Legs: They’re the primary protein source, providing juicy and flavorful meat for the dish. You can use chicken breasts instead for those preferring white meat, or bone-in chicken drumsticks or wings.
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatic ingredients form the flavor base, adding depth and richness to the sauce. Shallots can replace onions, while garlic powder or granules can substitute for fresh garlic, adjusting quantities to taste.
- Apricot Jam: It brings sweetness and a subtle fruity undertone to balance the savory flavors in the sauce. Peach jam, preserves, orange marmalade, or even honey could provide similar sweetness and depth.
- Date Syrup: This natural sweetener adds complexity and richness to the sauce. Maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, or brown sugar can offer similar sweetness and depth, adjusting quantities as needed.
- Paprika: It lends color, flavor, and a hint of smokiness to the dish. Smoked paprika can intensify the smoky flavor, or chili powder can provide a bit of heat as an alternative.
- Lemon Slices: These bright citrus slices infuse the dish with freshness and acidity. You can also use lemon juice or zest to replace the slices or omit them altogether based on personal preference.
- Olives: They add a briny bite and depth of flavor to the dish, enhancing its Mediterranean character. Capers can offer a similar briny flavor, or sun-dried tomatoes can add a different tangy element.
Step-by-step: Chicken with olives
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the sliced red onions. Cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the sliced garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves to the pan. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant and the onions are lightly caramelized.
- Stir in the brown sugar, paprika, date syrup, and apricot jam, and let it cook for a minute until the sugar is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Place the chicken pieces into the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Add the whole bulb of garlic and lemon slices to the pan.
- Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the chicken simmer gently for about 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add the olives and parsley to the pan during the last 5 minutes of cooking, allowing them to heat through. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use boneless thighs or breasts instead of bone-in chicken. Adjust cooking time as needed to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
You can use your favorite olives, such as Kalamata, green, or black. Choose pitted olives for easier eating, or leave them whole with pits for added flavor.
Yes, braised chicken with olives can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Feel free to adjust the seasoning of the dish to suit your preferences. Add more salt, pepper, or spices like paprika and cumin as desired.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Sear the chicken and sauté the onions and garlic as instructed. Then, transfer everything to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
Mediterranean Chicken with Olives
Create flavorful chicken with olives dishes from the Mediterranean. Incorporate ingredients like tomatoes, olives, herbs, spices & more to get delicious results!
Video
Ingredients
- 8 pcs Chicken thighs and legs skin-on
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) Olive oil for cooking
- 2 large Red onions thinly sliced
- 6 large Garlic cloves sliced
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 tbsp (25 g) Cumin
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) Date syrup (or honey)
- 3 tbsp (60 g) Apricot jam (optio
- 14 oz (397 g) can Crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 ml) Chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bulb Garlic top trimmed off to expose cloves
- 1 med Lemon sliced or 1 preserved lemon
- 1 cup Pitted green or Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup Chopped Parsley
- ½ tsp Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the sliced red onions. Cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.2 tbsp Olive oil for cooking, 2 large Red onions
- Add the sliced garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves to the pan. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant and the onions are lightly caramelized.6 large Garlic cloves, 1 Cinnamon stick, 2 Bay leaves
- Stir in the brown sugar, paprika, date syrup, and apricot jam, and let it cook for a minute until the sugar is melted and the ingredients are well combined.1 tbsp Cumin, 1 tbsp Paprika, 2 tbsp Date syrup (or honey), 3 tbsp Apricot jam
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.14 oz can Crushed tomatoes, 1 cup Chicken or vegetable broth
- Place the chicken pieces into the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Add the whole bulb of garlic and lemon slices to the pan. Season with salt and pepper.8 pcs Chicken thighs and legs, 1 bulb Garlic, 1 med Lemon, ½ tsp Salt and pepper to taste
- Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the chicken simmer gently for about 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add the olives and parsley to the pan during the last 5 minutes of cooking, allowing them to heat through. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.1 cup Pitted green or Kalamata olives, ¼ cup Chopped Parsley
Notes
- Thaw the Chicken: The chicken is added directly to the hot simmering sauce, so make sure the chicken is well-thawed before you start cooking; otherwise, it will not cook evenly.
- Don’t Rush the Onions and Garlic: Take your time sautéing the onions and garlic until they are soft and fragrant. This allows their flavors to mellow and develop, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- Balancing Sweet and Savory: Adjust the sweetness of the sauce to your taste preferences. If it’s too sweet, add a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of salt to balance it out. Conversely, if it’s not sweet enough, drizzle in a bit more apricot jam or date syrup.
- Layer Flavors with Spices: Allow the spices like paprika and cinnamon to bloom in the sauce, creating layers of flavor. Toasting them lightly in the pan before adding the liquid ingredients can enhance their aroma and taste.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Braising is a slow-cooking method that requires patience. Let the chicken simmer gently over low heat, allowing it to become tender and absorb all the flavors of the sauce.
- Adjust Liquid Levels: Keep an eye on the liquid levels in the pan while braising. If the sauce reduces too much and starts to dry out, add a splash of broth or water to maintain the desired consistency.
- Finish with Freshness: Just before serving, garnish the dish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to add a burst of color and freshness. It’s the perfect finishing touch to elevate the flavors of the Mediterranean.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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This was incredibly delicious! Loved the flavors and how healthy it is.
The chicken was so tender and perfectly seasoned, with the olives providing a delightful burst of flavor! I loved this Mediterranean dish and will be making it again!
I made this braised chicken for dinner last night and it was incredible! So flavorful and easy to make!
What magnificent flavors and textures in this delicious chicken with olives. I can’t wait to make this for my family.
Talk about awesome flavor! This chicken was sooo yummy! I loved that it was made in cast iron too!