There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dinner that comes together in just one pot, and this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe is exactly that kind of magic. It’s vibrant, creamy, and packed with those bright Mediterranean flavors you’ll want on your dinner table again and again.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited about sharing this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe with you because it’s one of those meals that feels fancy but comes together fast, making weeknights a whole lot easier. The balance of tangy feta, juicy chicken, and fresh veggies all cooked in one pan? Pure comfort!
- One-pot convenience: Minimize cleanup without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Vibrant Mediterranean flavors: From kalamata olives to lemon juice and feta, every bite bursts with authenticity.
- Quick yet hearty: Ready in about 45 minutes but filling and satisfying enough for a family dinner.
- Flexible and customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or add extra veggies based on what you have at home.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the tender, seasoned chicken to the crispy spinach and tangy feta cheese, the components complement each other beautifully. When you shop, look for quality fresh produce and a good Greek salad dressing to elevate the dish.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast: Pounding it thin helps it cook evenly and quickly while staying juicy.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Offers a zesty, peppery punch that brightens the chicken.
- Greek salad dressing: Adds a subtle garlic-herb tang that infuses throughout the dish.
- Chicken broth and bouillon cube: Provide savory depth to the sauce base.
- Half and half: Makes the sauce creamy without being too heavy.
- Avocado or olive oil: Great for searing chicken and bringing a mild fruitiness.
- Dry white wine: Adds acidity and richness; Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite here.
- Butter and garlic: Build that comforting, aromatic foundation for the sauce.
- Angel hair pasta: Cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce beautifully.
- Baby spinach: Wilts gently, adding freshness and color.
- Cherry tomatoes: Provide bursts of sweetness and acidity.
- Kalamata olives: Key for that authentic salty, briny Mediterranean pop.
- Lemon juice: Balances richness with a bright finish.
- Feta cheese: Offers creamy, tangy bursts that linger delightfully.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood. Sometimes I’ll throw in sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper flavor or swap out baby spinach for kale when I want something heartier. Feel free to experiment — this dish invites your creativity!
- Variation: I’ve tried adding red onions and canned artichokes before, and they bring amazing texture and an extra layer of Mediterranean goodness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken
I slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to get thinner cutlets. Then I cover them with plastic wrap and lightly pound them until they’re about half an inch thick — this helps them cook fast and evenly without drying out. After patting the chicken dry, I season it well with lemon pepper seasoning and pop it into a ziplock bag with two-thirds of the Greek salad dressing to marinate for 20 minutes at room temp. Trust me, that marinating step amps up the flavor enormously!
Step 2: Sear the Chicken Perfectly
Heat avocado or olive oil in a large deep skillet on medium-high. Add the chicken and sear for about 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t skip letting it rest for about 10 minutes off the heat — this keeps it juicy when you slice it later into strips. Pro tip: discard the leftover marinade to avoid any food safety issues.
Step 3: Build the Sauce With Wine and Garlic
After removing the chicken, wipe off excess oil from the pan, pour in the white wine, and reduce it by half (about 3 minutes). This step ensures you get that rich, concentrated flavor in the sauce. Then toss in butter and fresh minced garlic, cooking for a couple of minutes until fragrant but not brown.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta Right in the Sauce
Add the prepared mixture of chicken broth, bouillon, half and half, and remaining Greek dressing. Bring everything to a boil, then add the angel hair pasta. Keep the heat moderate and use tongs frequently to toss the pasta — this ensures it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick together. After 3 minutes, stir in the spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives for a quick sauté and to soften the greens.
Step 5: Combine, Finish, and Serve
Lower the heat, add the sliced chicken and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Stir everything gently to heat through and bring those vibrant flavors together. Finally, sprinkle in the feta cheese and let it melt slightly — some of that crumbly texture is what makes this dish irresistible. The sauce will thicken a bit as it rests, so you end up with a perfectly saucy, creamy pasta by the time you serve.
Top Tip
From cooking this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe several times, I learned a few things that really elevate the dish and keep it stress-free:
- Marinate for flavor: Don’t skip marinating the chicken; it softens the meat and builds a delicious base flavor that carries through the dish.
- Wine reduction magic: Reducing the wine before adding other liquids intensifies the sauce’s depth without overwhelming the other tastes.
- Toss the pasta often: Angel hair pasta sticks easily, so frequent tossing while cooking is key to getting the perfect texture.
- Don’t skimp on fresh lemon juice: It brings out brightness that balances the richness of the half and half and feta beautifully.
How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish this dish with a sprinkle of extra crumbled feta and a handful of freshly chopped parsley or basil for a pop of green freshness. Sometimes I add a few lemon wedges on the side so everyone can amp up the citrus brightness to their liking.
Side Dishes
Keep it simple and Mediterranean-inspired with a crisp cucumber and tomato salad, some warm pita bread for dipping, or a plate of roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve served this pasta in individual shallow bowls with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few whole kalamata olives on top. It looks inviting and feels like a restaurant-quality dish you whipped up in your own kitchen.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and they keep very well for up to three days. When I reheat, I add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce so it doesn’t dry out.
Freezing
While I haven’t personally frozen the full cooked dish, I’ve frozen cooked chicken and sauce separately with good success. If you want to freeze leftovers, separate the pasta and add fresh pasta after thawing and reheating the sauce and chicken.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring and adding a bit of broth or water to keep the texture creamy. Microwave works, too, but be sure to cover to trap steam and avoid drying it out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While angel hair pasta cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce well, you can substitute spaghetti or linguine. Just keep in mind that longer-cooking pastas will need more liquid and extra cooking time as explained in the notes.
No worries at all. You can simply replace the dry white wine with additional chicken broth for a similar depth of flavor without the alcohol. The dish will still be delicious!
Absolutely. Swap the half and half with a plant-based milk like coconut cream or almond milk and replace butter with olive oil. Use a dairy-free feta substitute or omit it entirely to keep creamy, Mediterranean flavors intact.
The key is to keep the liquid at a gentle boil and toss the pasta frequently with tongs throughout cooking. This stops the strands from clumping together, which is especially important with angel hair pasta that cooks fast.
Final Thoughts
This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight rotation because it ticks every box: fast, flavorful, and fuss-free. Its bright, fresh ingredients make you feel like you've stepped into a sun-soaked Mediterranean kitchen, even on the busiest evenings. I really hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and find it becomes one of your go-to meals when you want something comforting but vibrant.
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Mediterranean Chicken Pasta in One Pot Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
This Mediterranean Pasta recipe is a flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender lemon pepper chicken, angel hair pasta, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all cooked together in a rich sauce made with chicken broth, half and half, white wine, garlic, and Greek salad dressing. Perfect for a delicious and quick dinner with vibrant Greek-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ¼ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 cup Greek salad dressing, divided
Broth and Sauce
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- ¾ cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Pasta and Vegetables
- ½ lb. angel hair pasta
- 3 cups packed baby spinach
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives
- ¾ cup feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare and Marinate Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise into thinner cutlets. Cover with saran wrap and pound each side to about ½-inch thickness using a meat tenderizer. Pat dry and season each side evenly with lemon pepper seasoning. Place chicken in a gallon freezer bag with ⅔ cup of Greek salad dressing, seal the bag removing air, and marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Mix Broth and Sauce Ingredients: While chicken marinates, combine chicken broth, chicken bouillon cube, half and half, and the remaining ⅓ cup of Greek dressing in a large measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring. Prepare all other ingredients for quick use.
- Sear Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, discard excess marinade, and sear chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into strips.
- Deglaze Pan: Remove excess oil from skillet with a paper towel. Pour in the white wine and reduce heat to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the skillet, loosening browned bits for flavor. Reduce wine by nearly half, about 3 minutes.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Stir in butter and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Broth Mixture and Boil: Pour in the chicken broth and half and half mixture. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook Pasta: Add angel hair pasta to the boiling liquid. Return to a gentle boil and cook for 3 minutes, using kitchen tongs frequently to toss the pasta and prevent sticking.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in baby spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Cook for an additional 1 minute. The sauce will be thin with plenty of liquid at this point.
- Combine Chicken and Lemon Juice: Reduce heat to low and add the sliced chicken strips along with lemon juice. Stir well to combine and heat through.
- Add Feta Cheese and Serve: Stir in feta cheese until slightly melted but with some texture remaining. The sauce will thicken more as it stands. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Use Redmond Real Salt lemon pepper seasoning for best flavor; adjust quantity if using potent brands like McCormick.
- Wine Substitute: Sauvignon Blanc is preferred; Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio also works. Use chicken broth if avoiding alcohol.
- Greek Dressing: Homemade Greek salad dressing is recommended for optimal flavor, but quality store-bought is acceptable.
- Olives: Kalamata olives add authentic salty, briny flavor; if omitted, adjust salt to taste.
- Garlic: Use fresh minced garlic rather than jarred for stronger flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferable to bottled for brightness.
- Tomato Alternatives: Sun-dried tomatoes can replace cherry tomatoes for deeper flavor.
- Additional Veggies: Add red onions, canned artichokes, chickpeas, or diced cucumbers for variety.
- Spaghetti Alternative: If using spaghetti (which cooks longer), increase chicken broth by ½ cup, half and half by ½ cup, and Greek dressing by 3 tablespoons. Add vegetables in the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- High Altitude Cooking: Increase liquid and cooking time if cooking at high altitude.
- Storage: Store leftovers in airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
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