Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes, One Pan) – Colorful, Fresh, and Full of Bright Flavor
When you need a fast dinner that tastes fresh, vibrant, and deeply satisfying, nothing beats a good stir fry — and this Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is the perfect example of how incredible a 30-minute, one-pan meal can be. It’s packed with juicy chicken, colorful vegetables, classic Mediterranean flavors, and a simple lemon-herb sauce that ties everything together beautifully.
This dish brings the ease of an Asian-style stir fry but uses Mediterranean ingredients: bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, tomatoes, olives, garlic, oregano, and fresh herbs. Everything cooks in stages to keep it crisp-tender and full of flavor. The result is a bright, nourishing dinner that can be served with rice, couscous, quinoa, pasta, or even stuffed into pita bread.
Whether you need a quick weeknight meal, a meal-prep go-to, or something healthy that still feels exciting, this one-pan Mediterranean chicken is all you need.
Why This Mediterranean Stir Fry Is a Weeknight Dream
1. Truly ready in 30 minutes
From stove to table with minimal prep and fast-cooking ingredients.
2. One pan = minimal cleanup
A single skillet does all the work.
3. Packed with veggies
Bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, tomatoes — nutrient-dense and flavorful.
4. Mediterranean freshness
Lemon, olive oil, garlic, and herbs create bright, balanced flavor.
5. High protein + balanced carbs
Great for meal prep or a healthy family dinner.
6. Customizable
Swap veggies, add cheese, or change the grain base — it’s flexible.
Ingredients for Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken & Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning & Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup chicken broth (optional for added sauce)
Finish
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Crumbled feta (optional but delicious)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Slice and Prep Everything
Thinly slice chicken and prepare the vegetables. Halve cherry tomatoes. Slice olives. Set everything aside in separate bowls.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet.
Add chicken, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
Cook until chicken is golden and cooked through.
Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Stir Fry the Vegetables
Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet.
Add red onion and bell peppers. Cook 3–4 minutes.
Add zucchini and garlic. Cook another 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.
4. Add Tomatoes and Olives
Add cherry tomatoes and olives. Stir for 1–2 minutes until tomatoes soften.
5. Return Chicken to the Pan
Add chicken back into the skillet and toss with vegetables.
6. Add Lemon and Optional Broth
Squeeze lemon juice over the stir fry. Add broth if you want a light sauce.
7. Finish with Herbs
Remove from heat. Add parsley and optional feta.
8. Serve Hot
Serve as-is or with couscous, rice, quinoa, roasted potatoes, or freshly baked pita.
Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes One Pan)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice chicken and prepare all vegetables.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken with oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Add more olive oil and cook bell peppers and red onion for 3–4 minutes.
- Add zucchini and garlic; sauté until crisp-tender.
- Add cherry tomatoes and olives, cooking until tomatoes soften slightly.
- Return chicken to skillet and toss with vegetables.
- Add lemon juice and optional chicken broth to create sauce.
- Finish with parsley and optional feta. Serve hot.
Notes
Flavor Tips for the Best Mediterranean Stir Fry
1. Slice chicken thin
Thinner pieces cook faster and stay juicier.
2. Don’t overcook the vegetables
Bell peppers and zucchini should remain crisp-tender.
3. Add lemon at the end
Keeps the flavor bright instead of bitter.
4. Use kalamata olives
Their briny flavor adds depth and contrast.
5. Add feta for creaminess
The creamy, salty element balances the acidity.
Variations
1. Mediterranean Chicken & Orzo Stir Fry
Add cooked orzo directly into the pan for a full one-pan pasta dinner.
2. Low-Carb Keto Version
Skip grains and serve over cauliflower rice or spinach.
3. Greek Chicken Stir Fry
Add cucumber at the end and top with tzatziki.
4. Spicy Version
Use hot paprika, more red pepper flakes, or spicy peppers.
5. Vegetarian Version
Swap chicken for chickpeas or tofu and keep everything else the same.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over fluffy couscous
- Stuff into pita or naan wraps
- Pair with roasted potatoes
- Serve with quinoa for protein boost
- Add a Greek salad on the side
Meal Prep Instructions
- Divide into 4 containers
- Add rice or couscous separately
- Stays fresh in the fridge for 3–4 days
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave
