If you love fast, colorful, vibrantly flavored meals that feel fresh, nourishing, and satisfying all at once, this Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is about to become your new weeknight go-to. Packed with lean protein, rainbow vegetables, lemon, garlic, herbs, olives, and a touch of Mediterranean spice, this 30-minute one-pan skillet hits every note: bright, savory, juicy, and wholesome.

Unlike heavier stir-fries or creamy skillet dishes, this recipe leans into Mediterranean flavors that are naturally light yet deeply satisfying. Think sautéed peppers, juicy chicken, red onion, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, lemon zest, and oregano all coming together in a sizzling skillet. Every bite is layered with color and freshness.

This dish isn’t just quick — it’s incredibly versatile. You can serve it over rice, couscous, quinoa, pasta, cauliflower rice, or tucked into warm pitas. Meal prep? It reheats beautifully. Low carb? Easy. Family friendly? Absolutely. This is the kind of meal that fits into any routine and tastes restaurant-worthy with almost no effort.

What Makes This Mediterranean Stir Fry Special

One Pan Simplicity

Nothing beats a 30-minute meal that only dirties one skillet. Easy cooking, easy cleanup.

Mediterranean Flavor Profile

Fresh garlic, lemon, oregano, basil, cherry tomatoes, olives, and olive oil build vibrant, clean flavors.

Lean & High Protein

Chicken breast cooks quickly and absorbs all the seasoning beautifully.

Vegetable Loaded

Peppers, onion, zucchini, and tomatoes add color, nutrients, and natural sweetness.

Naturally Gluten-Free & Easily Dairy-Free

The dish relies on olive oil, herbs, and vegetables — no dairy or gluten unless you choose to add feta or serve with pasta.

Ingredients

For the Stir Fry

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• Juice of 1 lemon

Seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
• ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Finishing Ingredients

• Fresh parsley or fresh basil
• Crumbled feta (optional)
• Extra lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken
   Toss sliced chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and basil.
2. Heat the Skillet
   Add olive oil to a large pan over medium-high heat.
3. Cook the Chicken
   Sauté chicken until golden and cooked through (5–7 minutes). Remove to a plate.
4. Cook the Vegetables
   In the same pan, add onion, peppers, and zucchini. Sauté 5–7 minutes until slightly softened.
5. Add Aromatics
   Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
6. Add Tomatoes & Olives
   Add cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives. Cook until tomatoes begin to soften.
7. Return the Chicken
   Pour chicken back into the skillet with all its juices.
8. Add Lemon
   Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Toss everything together to coat.
9. Finish & Serve
   Turn off heat. Garnish with parsley or basil and optional feta. Serve warm over rice, couscous, pasta, pitas, or by itself.

Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes One Pan)

A vibrant and fresh Mediterranean-style chicken stir fry loaded with vegetables, herbs, olives, and lemon—all made in one pan in just 30 minutes.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Calories: 340

Ingredients

  

Stir Fry

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast sliced into strips
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
• 1 zucchini halved and sliced
• 1 red onion sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives pitted
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 lemon juice from 1 lemon

Seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano dried
• 0.5 tsp basil dried
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional

Finish

• fresh parsley for garnish
• feta cheese optional topping

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Mixing bowls

Method

 

1. Season sliced chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, and basil.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
4. Add onion, peppers, and zucchini to the skillet. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened.
5. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
6. Stir in cherry tomatoes and olives. Cook until tomatoes begin to soften.
7. Return chicken to the skillet and stir in lemon juice and zest.
8. Garnish with parsley and optional feta. Serve warm.

Notes

Serve with rice, couscous, quinoa, or warm pita.

Tips for Perfect Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry

• Slice chicken thinly so it cooks quickly and evenly.
• Don’t skip lemon zest — it brightens the entire dish.
• Use a large skillet to avoid steaming the vegetables.
• Add tomatoes last so they keep their shape.
• Feta adds richness, but the dish is great without it.

Variations

• Mediterranean Shrimp Stir Fry: Replace chicken with shrimp, cook 2–3 minutes.
• Extra Veggie Version: Add spinach, artichokes, broccoli, or mushrooms.
• Creamy Upgrade: Stir in 2 tbsp pesto or a splash of cream.
• Low Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Lemon rice
• Warm pita bread
• Garlic couscous
• Orzo
• Quinoa
• Greek salad

Fun Fact

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its emphasis on vegetables, olive oil, lean proteins, and fresh herbs — exactly the profile this dish delivers in just 30 minutes.