Check out these easy Mediterranean diet chicken recipes, they’re perfect for dinner and full of flavor! The recipe collection includes healthy Mediterranean bowls, an amazing Mediterranean chicken skillet, quick tomato-based chicken pasta and so much more!
Associated with longevity the Mediterranean diet is colorful, healthy and absolutely divine. While it’s generally a plant-based (yet, not vegan) diet, you can find chicken and poultry often on Mediterranean menus. Meat is a part, but never really the main ingredient in traditional Mediterranean dishes – you always want to serve it with lots of vegetables and other plants.
So, today I want to share some of my favorite super tasty, quick and easy Mediterranean recipes with chicken that you can make at home with simple ingredients in under 30 minutes. Give them a try and take the first step to new healthy habits!
the Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes the lifestyle and culinary traditions of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean sea – from Greece through Italy to Morrocco and Lebanon. The traditional Mediterranean diet evolved over thousands of years through exchanges of the cultures and foods of the counties in that region. Therefore, it’s no surprise that in 2013, UNESCO added the Mediterranean diet to its list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
The Mediterranean diet pyramid today is different from the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern and lifestyle, but its hallmarks remain the same:
- high consumption of vegetables and fruit
- daily consumption of legumes, unprocessed cereals, olives, nuts and olive oil
- moderate consumption of fish, dairy products, chicken and meat on a weekly basis
Scientifically proven to be effective in supporting bone health, preventing heart disease, and reducing the risks of diabetes, dementia, and cancers, the Mediterranean diet is also linked to a longer life expectancy. The average life expectancy in the Mediterranean region is 83 years, which is 3 years longer than in the EU.
Now that you read this, I know you can’t wait to get started with the Mediterranean diet. The best way to do so is by incorporating more Mediterranean-based meals into your everyday diet and this recipe collection can help!
Easy Mediterranean Diet Chicken Recipes
Make sure to save this list of flavorsome easy Mediterranean chicken recipes for when you need inspiration in the kitchen and chicken is on the menu.
1. Mediterranean Chicken Skillet
Tasty in its simplicity, this Mediterranean chicken skillet is filled with vegetables, olives, feta cheese, garlic and basil. It’s super easy to put together too! All you need is one skillet and around 20 minutes to make this healthy dish from scratch.
2. Easy Leftover Gyro Bowls
Make the most of leftover chicken and use rotisserie or any cooked chicken for this Mediterranean diet recipe. These easy delicious gyro bowls come together in no more than 20 minutes and taste amazing. Garlic, lemon juice, parsley, paprika, and oregano add wonderful flavors to this budget-friendly recipe.
3. Mediterranean Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Make chicken lettuce wraps healthier and go Mediterranean! The highlights of this healthy chicken recipe include pan-roasted zucchini, hummus, and aromatic herbs like mint and rosemary. These are super easy to make as well!
4. Chicken And Chickpea Soup
Packed with vegetables and protein, this nutritious soup is one of my favorite Mediterranean diet chicken recipes. Warm and filling, this homemade chicken and chickpea soup is easy to make for dinner and you can enjoy the leftovers for lunch. Just heat them up for a satisfying meal.
5. Mediterranean Pesto Chicken Cauliflower Rice
You’ll love this healthy Mediterranean-style cauliflower rice recipe with leftover chicken. Ready in about 15 minutes this one-pan dinner is loaded with healthy ingredients like arugula, tomatoes, and cauliflower. But what really makes it complete is the addition of pesto, mozzarella and a little bit of parmesan cheese. It’s SO delicious and full of beautiful Mediterranean flavors!
6. Mashed Avocado Chicken Salad
This Mediterranean recipe is exactly what the title says – a mashed avocado chicken salad. It’s the perfect light dinner idea to make on a hot summer night and makes a wonderful lunch for any time of the year. The main ingredients you need are a ripe avocado, shredded chicken, fresh herbs and vegetables. Super flavorful and satisfying!
7. Mediterranean Chicken Wraps
Pretty similar to a gyro, but not really gyro, these Mediterranean chicken wraps are one of my favorite dinner ideas to enjoy with friends or family. Or honestly to make for me myself and I. Filled with hummus, fresh tomato and cucumber based salad and of course chicken, this meal is absolutely wonderful. It’s not the fastest recipe you can make, but it’s great for meal prep so that you can enjoy it throughout the week.
8. Homemade Chicken Barley Soup
This healthy homemade chicken soup with barley is the perfect example of a winter-friendly Mediterranean diet recipe! It’s filled with vegetables, herbs and barley – which is a healthy wholegrain with a very low glycemic index and prebiotics. You’ll love the beautiful touch of mint in this recipe as well, this is the perfect cozy Mediterranean dish.
9. 10-Minute Mediterranean Chicken Pasta
This is another super quick Mediterranean diet recipe made with shredded chicken! In 10 minutes, you will prepare a mouth-watering chicken mac and cheese with a garlicky tomato sauce with fresh dill. This easy version of Italian pasta is a wonderful solution suitable for workweek dinners.
10. Chicken, Rice, and Hummus Bowls
These Mediterranean chicken bowls with rice and hummus are perfect for lunch or dinner and can be a great meal prep idea as well. The bowls are filled with pan-seared chicken, pan-roasted vegetables, a healthy salad and cooked rice. The combination of flavors is just delightful!
11. One-Pan Chicken, Spinach and Rice
Eat your greens and try this delightful gluten-free and dairy-free one-pan Mediterranean chicken and rice! With just five key ingredients – spinach, green onions, chicken, canned chickpeas, and rice, this healthy meal is incredibly simple and totally comforting.
12. Mediterranean Chickpea Feta and Chicken Salad
Legumes like chickpeas are a staple in the Mediterranean diet and they’re a great addition to this delicious healthy Mediterranean-inspired chicken salad as well. Packed with crunchy cucumbers, juicy and sweet tomatoes, aromatic peppers and savory feta cheese this quick and easy salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavors and is perfect for lunch or even dinner.
13. Parmesan Pesto Chicken Wraps
Make lunch in 15 minutes using this delicious recipe for Mediterranean chicken wraps! These delicious Parmesan pesto chicken wraps are filled with vegetables like spinach and zucchini, shredded chicken, all mixed with grated parmesan, pesto and extra garlic. Wrap that in a tortilla of choice (to make low-carb or gluten-free), toast for a few minutes and enjoy!
14. 15-Minute Quinoa With Chicken and Kale
Now, I know quinoa is not a part of the traditional Mediterranean diet, but this 15-minute recipe with chicken and vegetables checks off all the boxes when it comes to healthy Mediterranean meals. You’ll love the combination of chicken, quinoa, arugula, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and olives – it makes the recipe super satisfying!
15. Mediterranean Chicken Tostadas
A Mediterranean version of chicken tostadas, this recipe is easy to make and SO tasty! It’s such a great healthy dish that you can make for dinner and even meal prep. The main ingredients you need are cooked chicken, tomatoes, garlic, olives and spices like cumin and coriander. Once you’ve cooked the chicken in the tomato sauce, serve over a toasted tortilla of choice and enjoy with some avocado on top or pickled jalapenos. Or both.
16. Super Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad
Chicken cobb salad is pretty healthy, but there’s some room for improvement and this Mediterranean diet recipe can show you how. Made with vegetables like avocado, greens and tomatoes, this chicken Cobb salad is packed with protein and super satisfying thanks to the addition of chicken and eggs. If you’re wanting to lose weight or fat this is a great dish to enjoy while you’re on your weight loss journey.
17. 15-Minute Chicken and Black Beans
This deliciously hearty Mediterranean chicken dish is an incredibly simple, quick and a tasty dinner solution. Ready in just 15 minutes, you’ll cook the chicken with green and black beans as well as spices and vegetables in only one pan! It tastes amazing, but as a bonus, this mouth-watering meal is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein. To make it complete serve with bread and some salad and garlicky sauce on the side, or just wrap it all together in a tortilla. It’s wonderful.
More Healthy Recipes
I hope you try and enjoy some of the ideas from this collection of Mediterranean diet chicken recipes! For more healthy meal ideas, go ahead and check out the links below:
Mediterranean Diet Chicken Recipes
These easy Mediterranean diet chicken recipes are perfect for dinner and full of flavor! The recipe collection includes healthy Mediterranean bowls, an amazing Mediterranean chicken skillet, quick tomato-based chicken pasta and so much more!
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 2 1/2 cups cauliflower rice
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella or other cheese
- 1 cup arugula
- 3 tbsp thinly chopped dill
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp red pesto
- salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the cauliflower rice using your food processor or a grater. I used ½ cauliflower head and it made about 2 ½ cups of cauliflower rice. You can also use store-bought rice.
- Add the chopped tomato to a pan with a tbsp of olive oil and saute at medium-high for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower rice and add 1 garlic clove, then stir in the chicken, tomato paste, pesto, some salt cover and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the milk and ½ of the shredded cheese. Cover again for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the rest of the cheese and the other garlic clove. Stir in the dill and arugula and cook for 2 more final minutes.
- Serve immediately, optionally with some parmesan cheese and black pepper on top!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 500Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 834mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 4gSugar: 9gProtein: 35g
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