Description
This quick and easy Lemon Feta Chicken recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, featuring marinated chicken breasts pan-seared to perfection and topped with fresh parsley and creamy feta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 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
- 1 pound thin-sliced chicken breast
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- Additional lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Set aside 1/4 cup of this mixture in a small bowl for finishing.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the thin-sliced chicken to the larger bowl and toss with tongs so every piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Heat the pan: Warm a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add a light drizzle of olive oil (about 1 tsp) to prevent sticking.
- Sear the chicken: Lay slices in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Cook until the bottom is golden, about 4–5 minutes. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes, or until juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and finish: Transfer chicken to a serving plate. Immediately drizzle with the reserved 1/4 cup marinade to add brightness and extra shine.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped parsley and crumbled feta over the warm chicken. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy.
Notes
If you don’t have thin-sliced chicken, pound regular breasts to about 1/4–1/2 inch thickness. For a dairy-free version, omit feta and use chopped kalamata olives or lemony vinaigrette instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken, lemon, feta, Mediterranean, quick dinner, weeknight meal