There’s something truly comforting about a dish that brings together vibrant flavors and easy, fuss-free cooking. This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe hits all those marks—and then some. With juicy chicken, tangy olives, and creamy feta all mingling in a luscious sauce, it’s a meal you’ll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first stumbled upon this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe when I wanted something fresh but cozy for dinner. The combination of bright lemony notes, briny kalamata olives, and creamy feta instantly won me over. Plus, it’s all made in one pot—meaning less clean-up and more time to enjoy your meal.
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which saves you from washing a mountain of dishes afterward.
- Flavor Packed: The lemon pepper seasoning paired with Greek dressing and fresh garlic creates a rich, savory sauce that feels gourmet without the effort.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is ready in about 45 minutes, perfect for weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have all day.
- Customizable: You can switch up the veggies or pasta type, making it versatile to match what’s in your pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe really starts with the ingredients. Each plays its part to build layers of flavor and create a cozy yet vibrant dish. Stocking up on fresh garlic, quality feta, and proper seasoning will set you up for success every time.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast: Pounding it thin helps it cook evenly and stay juicy, plus it soaks up all that lemon pepper seasoning beautifully.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Adds a zesty, bright punch with a little bit of heat—just the perfect accent.
- Greek salad dressing: A clever shortcut that brings herbs, vinegar, and olive oil right into your sauce.
- Chicken broth and bouillon cube: The heart of the sauce, providing depth and richness.
- Half and half: Makes the sauce creamy without being too heavy.
- Avocado or olive oil: For searing the chicken and building flavor layers in your pan.
- Dry white wine: Adds acidity and complexity, but you can swap it out for broth if you prefer.
- Butter: For richness and to mellow the garlic aroma.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic is essential here — they offer the best flavor punch.
- Angel hair pasta: Cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce perfectly.
- Baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives: These fresh, colorful ingredients brighten the dish with hints of Mediterranean sunshine.
- Lemon juice: A fresh squeeze amplifies the lemony notes from the seasoning and dressing.
- Feta cheese: Adds creamy tang and a delightful crumble that finishes the dish.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap veggies based on what’s in season or what I have on hand, so don’t hesitate to make it yours.
- Variation: I’ve tried using sun-dried tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes for a deeper, richer flavor—highly recommend if you love a bit of tangy sweetness.
- Vegetarian swap: Swap chicken for chickpeas or artichoke hearts and double down on the olives and spinach to keep those Mediterranean vibes strong.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and double-check your broth to enjoy this recipe without gluten worries.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Tenderizing and Marinating the Chicken
Start by slicing your chicken breasts in half lengthwise, so they’re thinner and cook more evenly. I like to cover them with a piece of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat tenderizer until they’re about half an inch thick. Patting them dry before seasoning is key—it helps get that beautiful golden sear. Season both sides liberally with lemon pepper seasoning, then pop the chicken and some of the Greek dressing into a sealed bag to marinate right on your countertop for 20 minutes. This short marinade boosts flavor without slowing you down.
Step 2: Searing Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat your skillet with avocado or olive oil over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken and sear each side for about 3 to 4 minutes until it's beautifully golden and cooked through. Remove and let it rest for 10 minutes—it’s a little patience that helps juices redistribute, keeping the chicken tender when you slice it just before serving.
Step 3: Building Flavor from the Pan
After you’ve transferred the chicken, dab away excess oil, then pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up all those flavorful bits stuck on the bottom—that’s where the magic happens! Let the wine reduce by about half over 3 minutes. Then, add butter and garlic, cooking gently for 2 minutes to release that amazing aroma.
Step 4: Simmering Pasta in Creamy Goodness
Add your chicken broth, half and half, and remaining Greek dressing mixture to the pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the angel hair pasta, and keep the heat on a gentle boil. Use tongs to toss the pasta around—it helps prevent sticking and ensures every strand soaks up the sauce. It cooks fast, about 3 minutes.
Step 5: Folding In Fresh Veggies and Chicken
After the pasta has cooked a bit, stir in baby spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Cook for an additional minute to lightly wilt the spinach but keep all the veggies fresh and vibrant. Then, reduce the heat to low and add the sliced chicken along with fresh lemon juice. Stir gently to combine and heat everything through.
Step 6: The Finishing Touch with Feta
Sprinkle the feta over the pasta and gently stir. The cheese melts partially into the sauce while leaving some delightful texture behind. The sauce will thicken more as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit loose right off the stove. Serve immediately and enjoy every luscious bite!
Top Tip
I’ve had my fair share of one-pot pasta experiments, and the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that timing and stirring make a huge difference. This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe is all about balance—between creamy, tangy, fresh, and cooked just right.
- Proper Pounding: Don’t skip pounding the chicken thin—it ensures quick, even cooking and tender results.
- Wine Reduction: Allowing the wine to reduce properly deepens the sauce’s flavor and balances the creaminess.
- Frequent Tossing: Toss the pasta often while it cooks to keep it from sticking and ensure it absorbs the sauce evenly.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adding lemon juice at the end brightens and lifts all the flavors—it’s a game changer.
How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I always top this pasta with an extra sprinkle of feta and a few fresh torn basil or oregano leaves if I have them on hand. It adds a punch of color and an herby freshness that’s just lovely. Some cracked black pepper on top for a little extra bite never hurts either.
Side Dishes
This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta stands well on its own but pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette. Garlic bread or warm pita on the side balances the meal with some hearty carbs and is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like to serve this dish in large shallow bowls so everyone can dig in and appreciate the gorgeous colors and textures. Adding some roasted lemon wedges on the side not only looks beautiful but lets guests boost the citrus zing if they want. You could even serve it in a big family-style platter with fresh herbs scattered on top—always a crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they stay fresh for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making for a delicious lunch or easy dinner later in the week.
Freezing
I personally find that freezing this pasta isn’t ideal—the creamy sauce separates a bit when thawed. But if you want to try, freeze only the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta for best results, then combine and reheat gently.
Reheating
When reheating, I warm leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, and adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce feels too thick. This keeps everything creamy and smooth without drying out the chicken or pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you prefer not to use wine, simply replace it with additional chicken broth. The flavor will still be delicious and rich, just slightly less complex, which works well for family-friendly meals.
While angel hair pasta is ideal because it cooks quickly and soaks up the sauce beautifully, you can use thin spaghetti or linguine as alternatives. Just be mindful of the cooking time—thicker pasta will take longer to cook, so adjust the liquid amounts accordingly, adding a bit more broth and half and half to keep everything creamy.
Yes! You can marinate the chicken up to a day ahead and even have your sauce components pre-measured and ready. Prepare the pasta and combine everything shortly before serving to keep it fresh and vibrant. This helps reduce stress on the day of your party.
Definitely. Swap the chicken with hearty vegetables like artichoke hearts or chickpeas. You can also add extra olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and even roasted red peppers to build flavor. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it fully vegetarian.
Final Thoughts
This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes I keep returning to because it’s so reliable, flavorful, and just plain comforting. It’s great for busy weeknights but elegant enough for company, and it’s surprisingly easy to customize. Once you try it, I’m confident you’ll add it to your regular dinner rotation—and maybe even share it like I do, telling friends it’s a secret keeper of Mediterranean sunshine in a pot.
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Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
This Mediterranean Pasta recipe is a flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender lemon pepper chicken, angel hair pasta, spinach, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a splash of white wine and Greek dressing, it's a vibrant and easy dish perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ¼ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 cup Greek salad dressing, divided
Broth and Sauce
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- ¾ cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Pasta and Vegetables
- ½ lb. angel hair pasta
- 3 cups packed baby spinach
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives
- ¾ cup feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create two thinner pieces. Cover with plastic wrap and pound each piece with a meat tenderizer until about ½-inch thick. Pat dry thoroughly and season both sides with lemon pepper seasoning.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken in a gallon freezer bag with ⅔ cup of Greek salad dressing. Seal the bag removing air and let it marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Mix Broth and Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine chicken broth, chicken bouillon cube, half and half, and the remaining ⅓ cup Greek dressing in a large measuring cup with a spout. Set aside the mixture along with the other ingredients ready for cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat avocado or olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken, discarding leftover marinade. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into strips.
- Deglaze Skillet: Dab excess oil from the skillet. Pour in the white wine and reduce heat to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape and loosen browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan, cooking until the wine reduces by nearly half, about 3 minutes.
- Cook Aromatics: Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Broth Mixture and Pasta: Pour in the prepared broth and half and half mixture. Bring it to a boil, then add the angel hair pasta. Return to a gentle boil and cook for 3 minutes, using kitchen tongs to toss frequently and prevent sticking.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the baby spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Cook for an additional 1 minute. There will still be a good amount of liquid in the skillet.
- Combine Chicken and Lemon Juice: Reduce heat to low. Add sliced chicken and lemon juice, stirring gently to combine and warm through.
- Add Feta Cheese and Serve: Stir in the feta cheese, allowing it to melt slightly while retaining some texture. The sauce will thicken as it stands. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use Redmond Real Salt lemon pepper seasoning for balanced flavor; adjust amount if using more potent commercial brands.
- Sauvignon Blanc is the preferred wine for this recipe; Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio can be substituted. Omit wine and use extra chicken broth if preferred.
- Kalamata olives add essential briny flavor; omit only if necessary and adjust salt accordingly.
- Fresh garlic cloves yield the best flavor compared to jarred minced garlic.
- Fresh lemon juice greatly enhances brightness over bottled juice.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can replace cherry tomatoes for a deeper flavor profile.
- Optional additions: red onions, canned artichokes, chickpeas added with spinach; diced cucumbers are a great garnish before serving.
- When using spaghetti instead of angel hair, increase liquid by ½ cup chicken broth, ½ cup half and half, and 3 tablespoons Greek dressing, adding vegetables during last 2 minutes of pasta cooking.
- At high altitudes, more liquid and longer cooking times may be necessary for proper pasta doneness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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