This Instant Pot Mediterranean chicken recipe is a delicious and easy weeknight meal, perfect for those seeking Mediterranean diet recipes for dinner.
It’s a fantastic way to bring vibrant flavors to your table without spending hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy families and anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying meal.
With minimal prep and the magic of the Instant Pot, you can enjoy tender chicken infused with the bright tastes of the Mediterranean. This dish is not only flavorful but also aligns beautifully with a wholesome eating philosophy, making it a staple you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Instant Pot Mediterranean chicken recipe is a delicious and easy weeknight meal, perfect for those seeking Mediterranean diet recipes for dinner. It’s a fantastic way to bring vibrant flavors to your table without spending hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy families and anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying meal. With minimal prep and the magic of the Instant Pot, you can enjoy tender chicken infused with the bright tastes of the Mediterranean. This dish is not only flavorful but also aligns beautifully with a wholesome eating philosophy, making it a staple you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken and Saute Aromatics: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them lightly with salt and pepper. Set your Instant Pot to the “Saute” function and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is crucial to prevent a “Burn” notice on your Instant Pot and adds flavor.
3. Add Remaining Ingredients: Carefully place the chicken thighs into the pot. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, then sprinkle in the dried oregano and dried basil. Distribute the halved Kalamata olives over the top. Do not stir everything together at this point, as layering helps prevent the “Burn” notice.
4. Pressure Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and make sure the venting knob is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting on High Pressure for 10 minutes.
5. Natural Release and Quick Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. This helps the chicken stay tender and juicy. After 5 minutes, carefully switch the venting knob to the “Venting” position to quick release any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, you can safely open the lid.
6. Shred or Serve Whole: Carefully remove the chicken thighs from the pot. You can either serve them whole or, for easier eating, shred them using two forks directly in the pot with the sauce. Stir everything together gently to combine the flavors.
7. Final Seasoning and Garnish: Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for a bright finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: pressure cooking
- Cuisine: mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, instant pot, mediterranean, weeknight meal, healthy, easy, dinner, poultry, olives, tomatoes
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Instant Pot Mediterranean chicken is designed for convenience without compromising on taste. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a flavorful, healthy dinner on a busy weeknight. The Instant Pot significantly cuts down on cooking time, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, aromatic meal in under an hour. This recipe is especially great for families, as the chicken becomes incredibly tender and the flavors are approachable yet exciting. You can serve it as a stand-alone dish or pair it with a variety of sides, making it versatile for different dietary needs and preferences. It’s a fantastic option for meal prepping, as it reheats beautifully, providing delicious lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this Mediterranean chicken is straightforward, focusing on fresh, wholesome items that are readily available. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, using pantry staples and a few fresh components to create a robust flavor profile.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs, though cooking time might need a slight adjustment to prevent drying out. If Kalamata olives aren’t your favorite, green olives or a mix of Mediterranean olives would work well. Feel free to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian-friendly base, or even a dry white wine for an extra layer of flavor. If you don’t have fresh garlic, a teaspoon of garlic powder can be used in a pinch, and dried herbs can be replaced with fresh ones (use about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried).
Time Needed From Start To Finish
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes (including pressure build-up and release)
- Total time: 35 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this flavorful Instant Pot Mediterranean chicken is a breeze with these clear steps.
- Prepare the Chicken and Sauté Aromatics: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season them lightly with salt and pepper. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is crucial to prevent a “Burn” notice on your Instant Pot and adds flavor.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Carefully place the chicken thighs into the pot. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes, then sprinkle in the dried oregano and dried basil. Distribute the halved Kalamata olives over the top. Do not stir everything together at this point, as layering helps prevent the “Burn” notice.
- Pressure Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and make sure the venting knob is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting on High Pressure for 10 minutes.
- Natural Release and Quick Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 5 minutes. This helps the chicken stay tender and juicy. After 5 minutes, carefully switch the venting knob to the “Venting” position to quick release any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, you can safely open the lid.
- Shred or Serve Whole: Carefully remove the chicken thighs from the pot. You can either serve them whole or, for easier eating, shred them using two forks directly in the pot with the sauce. Stir everything together gently to combine the flavors.
- Final Seasoning and Garnish: Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for a bright finish.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Instant Pot Mediterranean chicken is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt for different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you might want to use fewer olives or chop them very finely, and serve the chicken shredded over pasta or rice. You can also add a touch of honey to the sauce for a subtle sweetness that often appeals to younger palates.
To vary the dish, consider adding other vegetables. Sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) can be added along with the onions for extra color and nutrients. A handful of fresh spinach stirred in after the pressure cooking cycle will wilt beautifully into the sauce. For a heartier meal, you can add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas along with the tomatoes.
This dish is perfect for a casual family dinner, but it also shines when served for guests. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, catering to common dietary needs. Serve it over a bed of fluffy couscous, quinoa, or brown rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. For a low-carb option, enjoy it with cauliflower rice or a simple side salad. A sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt can add a creamy, tangy contrast. Warm pita bread or crusty bread is also fantastic for dipping into the rich sauce.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple Instant Pot recipes can have a few common pitfalls. One frequent mistake is not deglazing the pot thoroughly after sautéing the onions and garlic. If browned bits are left stuck to the bottom, the Instant Pot might trigger a “Burn” notice, stopping the cooking process. Always add a liquid like broth or water and scrape the bottom well with a wooden spoon before pressure cooking.
Another common error is overcooking the chicken. While chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts, cooking them for too long under pressure can still make them a bit dry. Sticking to the recommended 10 minutes of high-pressure cooking followed by a 5-minute natural release will ensure tender, juicy results.
Finally, remember to layer your ingredients as specified. Adding liquids and tomatoes first, then the chicken, and then other ingredients on top without stirring, helps prevent the denser ingredients from sticking to the bottom and causing a “Burn” notice. Always ensure your Instant Pot lid is properly sealed and the vent is set to “Sealing” before starting the pressure cooking cycle.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This Instant Pot Mediterranean chicken is fantastic for meal prep and stores beautifully. Once cooled, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually tend to meld and deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce. Place it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, ensuring there’s minimal air to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If it seems a little dry, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, covering the dish to retain moisture. Avoid overheating, as this can dry out the chicken.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yes, you can. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts will work, but they tend to dry out more easily. Reduce the pressure cooking time to 8 minutes with a 5-minute natural release to keep them tender.
What if I don’t have an Instant Pot? You can make a similar version on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. For the stovetop, brown the chicken, then add all ingredients to a large pot, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. For a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
