This Mediterranean chicken thighs recipe is an easy and fast dinner that’s full of fresh flavors! Mix up the Mediterranean chicken marinade and marinate the chicken, then cook it and top it with simple, fresh toppings. You’re going to love it! And if you love Mediterranean flavors, try my Mediterranean chicken salad, Mediterranean collard green wraps, or chopped Mediterranean salad.
What Is Mediterranean Chicken?
This recipe for Mediterranean chicken thighs consists of a simple marinated chicken that’s topped with the best Mediterranean flavors: tomatoes, olives, red onions, feta cheese, and fresh basil!
Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for Mediterranean style chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
For the Mediterranean chicken marinade:
Olive oil – Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Balsamic vinegar – Use a high quality vinegar that doesn’t have added sugar. Garlic – Use fresh or jarred garlic. Sea salt & black pepper Italian seasoning – You can purchase it, but I like to make homemade Italian seasoning.
For the Mediterranean chicken:
Chicken thighs – Use boneless, skinless thighs. Otherwise, bone-in will work as well, but you’ll need to cook them for a bit longer.Roma tomatoes – Or any other kind of tomato you like! Black olives – You can use regular black olives or even kalamata olives. Red onions – Red onions are the best for true Mediterranean dishes. Feta cheese – To easily make this Mediterranean chicken recipe dairy-free, skip the feta cheese. Fresh basil – Other fresh herbs are great too, like parsley or dill.
How To Make Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
This section shows how to make the best Mediterranean chicken with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Mix up Mediterranean chicken marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic, garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Marinate chicken thighs. Marinate the chicken for at least an hour and up to 24 hours.
TIP: Don’t over-marinate. The maximum time is 24 hours; beyond that, they can get mushy.
Cook chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Shake off any excess marinade from the thighs and place them into the skillet in a single layer. Sear on both sides.
TIP: Use an instant read meat thermometer to check that the chicken is done. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees F at the thickest part.
Add toppings. Top with tomatoes, olives, onions, feta, and basil ribbons.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Wait to add toppings until right before serving.
Can you freeze Mediterranean chicken?
You can freeze the chicken for 2-3 months, but don’t freeze the toppings.
Reheating instructions:
Reheat the Mediterranean chicken thighs in a hot skillet or microwave, without the toppings. Add toppings after reheating.
What To Serve With Mediterranean Chicken
Roasted AsparagusSauteed ZucchiniKale Crunch SaladCucumber Noodle SaladChopped Mediterranean Salad
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Crispy Baked Chicken LegsCreamy Lemon Parmesan ChickenGrilled Bruschetta ChickenPan Seared Chicken Breast
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it! Note: nutrition is calculated with 1/3 of the marinade as the rest is discarded.
