Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes, One Pan) — A Fresh, Fast, and Flavor-Packed Dinner

If you want a dinner that’s fast, healthy, bold in flavor, and requires only one pan, this Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry is about to be your new weeknight favorite. With juicy chicken, colorful vegetables, garlic, lemon, olives, and classic Mediterranean herbs, this dish is packed with flavor and cooked in just 30 minutes.

Unlike a traditional Asian-style stir fry, this recipe uses Mediterranean ingredients and a lighter finishing sauce — making it vibrant, fresh, and satisfying without being heavy. It’s gluten-free, protein-packed, and incredibly flexible for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.

Let’s break down everything that makes this dish perfect for busy schedules, picky eaters, and people who want a nutritious dinner without sacrificing flavor.

Why This Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry Is So Good

1. Ready in 30 minutes

Chop, stir, sauté — and dinner is on the table.

2. One pan = easy cleanup

A single skillet handles the entire recipe.

3. Naturally healthy

Packed with lean chicken, fresh vegetables, healthy fats, and herbs.

4. Customizable

Swap veggies, add grains, adjust seasoning — it all works.

5. Bold Mediterranean flavors

Garlic, lemon, oregano, tomatoes, and olives bring incredible depth.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Most of these ingredients are pantry or fridge staples.

• Chicken breast – sliced into thin strips for fast cooking.
• Olive oil – adds richness and helps build flavor.
• Garlic – essential for Mediterranean cooking.
• Red onion – sweet and savory.
• Bell peppers – colorful and slightly sweet.
• Zucchini – adds moisture and texture.
• Cherry tomatoes – burst as they cook, creating a delicious sauce.
• Kalamata olives – salty, briny, bold.
• Lemon juice – brightens everything.
• Dried oregano – essential Mediterranean herb.
• Paprika – warmth without heat.
• Salt and pepper – enhances all flavors.
• Optional add-ins – spinach, feta, parsley, artichokes, crushed red pepper.

How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (Step-by-Step)

1. Season and Sauté the Chicken

Sliced chicken cooks quickly, browning in the skillet and absorbing oregano, garlic, lemon, and spices.

2. Add the Vegetables

Mediterranean veggies cook at different speeds — peppers for sweetness, zucchini for softness, tomatoes for juiciness.

3. Add Olives and Lemon

Olives provide briny depth; lemon brightens the dish.

4. Create a Light Sauce

Tomatoes break down slightly, mixing with olive oil, garlic, and chicken juices to create a thin, flavor-packed sauce.

5. Finish with Herbs

Fresh parsley or basil is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch.

Mediterranean Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes One Pan)

A quick and flavorful Mediterranean-style chicken stir fry with colorful vegetables, olives, garlic, lemon, and herbs—all ready in one pan in just 30 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 bowls

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast sliced thin
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 red onion sliced
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
• 1 zucchini sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.33 cup Kalamata olives halved
• 1 tsp oregano dried
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls

Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add sliced chicken, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until browned.
3. Add garlic and red onion; sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add bell peppers and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
5. Add cherry tomatoes and olives; cook until tomatoes begin to soften.
6. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning.
7. Add optional parsley or feta before serving.

Notes

Serve with couscous or quinoa for a complete Mediterranean meal.

Tips for the Best Mediterranean Stir Fry

Cut chicken evenly

Makes cooking faster and more consistent.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet

This ensures browning, not steaming.

Add tomatoes toward the end

Prevents them from turning mushy.

Finish with feta

Optional, but adds creamy tanginess.

Serve over grains or on its own

This dish works with rice, quinoa, couscous, pasta, or even cauliflower rice.

Variations

Mediterranean Chicken & Rice Bowl

Serve over warm rice with a lemon drizzle.

Creamy Mediterranean Stir Fry

Add 2 tablespoons of cream cheese for a creamy sauce.

Low-Carb Version

Serve over cauliflower rice or on its own.

Vegetarian Option

Replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu.

Add More Veggies

Mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, or eggplant fit perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with quinoa, couscous, rice, or pasta.
• Add feta cheese on top.
• Pair with warmed pita or naan.
• Add extra lemon wedges for brightness.
• Serve with a yogurt cucumber sauce on the side.

Ingredients (List)

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• ⅓ cup Kalamata olives, halved
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional: parsley, feta, crushed red pepper

Instructions (Numbered)

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add sliced chicken, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until browned.
3. Add garlic and red onion; sauté 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add bell peppers and zucchini; cook 5 minutes until softened.
5. Add cherry tomatoes and olives; cook until tomatoes begin to soften.
6. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning.
7. Add optional parsley or feta before serving.
8. Serve immediately over grains or on its own.