Description

A vibrant and quick stir fry featuring juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a fresh lemony garlic sauce, making it a perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

For the Vegetables

1 medium bell pepper (sliced into strips)
1 medium zucchini (sliced into half moons)
1 medium red onion (sliced into strips)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
2 cups baby spinach (added at the end)

For Flavor Boosters

4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 large lemon (zested and juiced)
1/2 cup olives (briny, pitted and chopped)
2 tablespoons capers (drained)
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Pantry Essentials

2 tablespoons olive oil
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Optional Finishers

1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled if desired)
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional)
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (for drizzling)

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Instructions

Preparation

Slice the chicken into thin strips across the grain for tenderness and fast cooking.
Pat the chicken dry to ensure proper searing.
Mince the garlic and zest the lemon. Slice the bell peppers and onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and cut the zucchini into half moons. Keep spinach whole.

Quick Marinade

In a bowl, combine chicken strips with olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.

Cooking

Heat a large skillet until hot. Add olive oil and spread the chicken in a single layer. Let it sear for 2 to 3 minutes before stirring until just cooked. Transfer to a plate.
Add another splash of oil to the skillet and stir fry the bell pepper, onion, and zucchini with a pinch of salt until they are crisp-tender.
Add cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers to the skillet. Return the chicken to the pan and toss in the spinach just until wilted.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon, adjust salt and pepper, and sprinkle with parsley and feta if using.

Notes

For a saucier finish, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, honey, red wine vinegar, oregano, and red pepper flakes, then drizzle it into the pan at the end.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean