Description
This Greek Chicken with Lemon and Feta is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring tender marinated chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a skillet. Infused with fresh lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and smoked paprika, and topped with crumbled feta and parsley, it brings a fresh Mediterranean taste to your table. Quick to prepare and ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients with bold flavors for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced or 1 tsp dried garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp plus a pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 tsp coarse black pepper
Chicken and Garnish
- 1 pound thin-sliced chicken breast
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- Additional wedges of lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture is well emulsified. Set aside 1/4 cup of this marinade for later use.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the thin-sliced chicken breast pieces into the remaining marinade in the bowl. Use tongs to thoroughly coat each piece with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to deeply infuse into the chicken.
- Heat the skillet: Place a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and let it heat thoroughly. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
- Cook the chicken: Place the marinated chicken pieces into the hot skillet. Cook the chicken without moving it until the bottoms turn a golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes. Then flip each piece and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the internal juices run clear when sliced.
- Plate and garnish: Transfer the cooked chicken onto a serving plate. Drizzle the reserved marinade over the chicken to add extra flavor and moisture. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and crumbled feta cheese for a burst of freshness and richness.
- Serve: Serve the dish immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side for an additional zesty squeeze. Enjoy your vibrant, healthy Greek-inspired chicken!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Using thin-sliced chicken breasts helps the meat cook evenly and quickly.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the salt, since feta cheese adds saltiness.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- This dish pairs well with a side of rice, couscous, or a Greek salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Greek chicken, lemon chicken, feta chicken, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, stovetop chicken, marinated chicken
