There’s something so satisfying about a meal that comes together effortlessly yet tastes like a special occasion. This Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe is exactly that—a delightful blend of flavors that cooks all in one pan, making dinner both simple and spectacular.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe countless times—it’s a go-to when I want something comforting without the fuss. The vibrant Mediterranean flavors paired with creamy pasta and tender chicken make it a crowd-pleaser every time.
- One-Pot Convenience: No need for multiple pans—less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
- Bright Mediterranean Flavors: Tangy lemon, briny olives, and creamy feta bring freshness and richness.
- Versatile and Customizable: Easy to tweak with your favorite veggies or protein swaps.
- Fast Weeknight Favorite: Ready in under an hour, perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe is a beautiful harmony of wholesome and flavorful ingredients that come together quickly. A few simple staples like chicken broth and angel hair pasta form the base, while classic Mediterranean touches like kalamata olives and feta cheese elevate it.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast: Pounding it thin ensures quick, even cooking and tender bites.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Adds a zesty spice that brightens the chicken perfectly.
- Greek salad dressing: Gives a tangy, herby marinade that infuses the chicken with authentic flavor.
- Chicken broth: Creates a flavorful cooking liquid that the pasta soaks up.
- Chicken bouillon cube: Boosts the depth of flavor in the broth for a rich sauce.
- Half and half: Adds creaminess without heaviness.
- Avocado or olive oil: Provides a healthy fat for searing and flavor.
- Dry white wine: Reduces into a beautiful base for the sauce—adds a subtle complexity.
- Butter: Brings silkiness to the garlic sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic is a must—its aroma fills your kitchen and flavor the dish beautifully.
- Angel hair pasta: Cooks quickly and soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Baby spinach: Adds freshness and nutrients, wilting perfectly into the pasta.
- Cherry tomatoes: Burst with sweetness that balances the saltiness of the olives and feta.
- Kalamata olives: Provide that essential briny punch—don’t skip them!
- Lemon juice: Brightens everything with a fresh, citrusy zing.
- Feta cheese: Crumbles creamy, salty goodness throughout the dish.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe depending on the season and what’s in my fridge. It’s super flexible, and you can make it your own with a few simple twists.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap out chicken breasts for thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat—just adjust cooking time a bit. It never disappoints!
- Veggie Boost: Adding sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts brings a deeper flavor, especially if you crave a little more Mediterranean flair.
- Make it dairy-free: Use coconut cream instead of half and half and skip the feta; it still tastes creamy and delicious.
- Wine substitute: If you don’t cook with wine, extra chicken broth works fine, but I encourage you to give the wine a try—it really elevates the sauce.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken
Start by slicing your chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you get thinner pieces that cook quickly and evenly. I like pounding them gently between two sheets of plastic wrap to about ½-inch thick—it helps them sear beautifully. Pat the chicken dry, then season generously with lemon pepper seasoning. Toss the chicken into a gallon-sized zip-top bag with two-thirds cup of Greek dressing. Let it marinate at room temperature for about 20 minutes while you prep the rest. Trust me, this step juices up your chicken and infuses it with those fresh Mediterranean herbs.
Step 2: Prep Your Broth Mixture and Ingredients
While your chicken marinates, whisk together the chicken broth, bouillon cube, half and half, and the remaining third cup of Greek dressing in a large measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring later. This sauce base will be so flavorful, so get everything ready now. Also, measure out your garlic, wine, pasta, and veggies—having everything at hand makes the cooking process smooth and stress-free.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat two tablespoons of avocado or olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken (discard any leftover marinade) and let it sear without moving for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it's golden brown and nicely cooked through. I like to let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before slicing it into strips—this keeps it juicy and tender.
Step 4: Build the Sauce Base
Remove excess oil from the pan with a paper towel, then pour in the white wine. Turn the heat to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the pan. Those little caramelized pieces are packed with flavor and give the sauce an irresistible depth. Let the wine reduce by nearly half—about 3 minutes.
Step 5: Cook Pasta and Add Veggies
Add butter and garlic to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant and soft. Pour in your broth and cream mixture and bring everything to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta, and keep the heat at a gentle boil. Use tongs periodically to stir and toss the pasta to prevent it from sticking. After three minutes, toss in the spinach, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Give it another minute so the veggies soften just right while the pasta absorbs those delicious flavors.
Step 6: Finish with Chicken, Lemon, and Feta
Lower the heat to low, add the sliced chicken back to the pan along with fresh lemon juice. Stir everything gently to warm the chicken through and combine those fresh citrus notes with the creamy sauce. Finally, sprinkle in the crumbled feta cheese, stirring just enough to melt it slightly—some texture adds a lovely contrast. The sauce will continue to thicken as it rests, creating that perfect, saucy pasta comfort.
Top Tip
Having made this Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe many times, I learned a few key hacks to make it foolproof and flavorful every time.
- Marinate Wisely: Don’t skip marinating; even 20 minutes makes a world of difference in flavor and tenderness.
- Don’t Rush the Wine Reduction: Scraping those pan bits into the sauce adds deep savoriness—take your time here.
- Keep Pasta Moving: Tossing the pasta with tongs during cooking prevents clumps and cooks it evenly.
- Rest Your Chicken: Letting it rest before slicing keeps the meat juicy and tender instead of dry.
How to Serve Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish this dish with an extra sprinkle of crumbled feta and a few fresh torn basil or oregano leaves when I have them on hand—it adds that bright, fresh note I adore. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil right before serving adds a gorgeous shine and richness.
Side Dishes
This pasta stands beautifully on its own, but I like pairing it with a crisp green salad or warm, crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Sometimes I serve it with roasted lemon potatoes or grilled veggies for an even heartier Mediterranean feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like to serve this pasta in individual rustic bowls topped with a lemon wedge and a sprinkle of fresh herbs—it looks inviting and feels personal. You can also layer the pasta and chicken over a bed of couscous for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors meld wonderfully overnight, making the pasta even more delicious the next day. Just be sure to keep the feta separate if you plan to reheat, to prevent it from becoming too soft.
Freezing
This one-pot meal freezes well if you want to meal prep. Freeze in portioned containers without the fresh spinach and tomatoes, which can get a bit mushy after thawing. Add fresh veggies when reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce thickened too much. This keeps the pasta creamy and prevents it from drying out. You can also microwave but be sure to stir halfway through heating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While angel hair pasta cooks quickly and works best for this recipe, you can substitute spaghetti as well. Just add extra broth, half and half, and Greek dressing to account for the longer cooking time. Just be mindful of the liquid levels to keep the sauce creamy.
If you prefer not to use wine, extra chicken broth is a great substitute. It won’t have quite the same depth but will still yield a delicious sauce. You can also add a splash of white grape juice with a teaspoon of vinegar to mimic some acidity.
Definitely! Because it stores well in the fridge and freezes nicely (without veggies), it’s perfect for making ahead. Portion it out for quick weeknight dinners then reheat with a splash of broth. Just add fresh veggies when reheating for a fresh taste.
Yes! To make a vegetarian version, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and skip the chicken, adding extra veggies like artichokes, mushrooms or chickpeas for protein. Use a plant-based cream and vegan feta to make it vegan-friendly. The Mediterranean flavors still shine through beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta Recipe becomes one of your favorite quick dinners, like it has for me. It’s one of those dishes that’s both comforting and bright, easy yet impressive—perfect for when you want a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it quickly earns a permanent spot in your rotation!
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Mediterranean One-Pot Chicken Pasta 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 one-pot recipe combines tender chicken breast with angel hair pasta, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese in a creamy lemon pepper sauce for an easy and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ¼ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 cup Greek salad dressing, divided
Liquid Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- ¾ cup half and half
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Vegetables
- ½ lb. angel hair pasta
- 3 cups packed baby spinach
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives
Finishing
- ¾ cup feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner slices. Cover with saran wrap and pound each side using a meat tenderizer until they are about ½-inch thick. Pat dry thoroughly and season both sides with lemon pepper seasoning.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken into a gallon freezer bag with ⅔ cup of Greek salad dressing. Seal the bag removing excess air and let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Mix the Sauce Base: While chicken marinates, combine chicken broth, chicken bouillon cube, half and half, and the remaining ⅓ cup Greek dressing in a large measuring cup with a spout. Prepare remaining ingredients before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, discard remaining marinade, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice into strips afterward.
- Deglaze the Pan: Dab away excess oil from skillet. Pour in the white wine and reduce heat to medium. Use a silicone spatula to scrape the skillet's bottom and sides to release browned bits. Cook until the wine reduces by about half, roughly 3 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic and Add Liquids: Stir in butter and minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Then pour in the chicken broth and half and half mixture and bring to a boil.
- Cook Pasta: Add angel hair pasta to boiling liquid, bring back to a gentle boil, and cook for 3 minutes. Toss pasta frequently with tongs to prevent sticking.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in spinach, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives and cook for another minute. The liquid will remain quite loose at this point.
- Combine Chicken and Lemon Juice: Reduce heat to low, add the cooked chicken strips and lemon juice. Stir to combine and heat through gently.
- Finish with Feta: Stir in the feta cheese until slightly melted but still textured. The sauce and pasta will thicken further as they stand. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use Redmond Real Salt lemon pepper for balanced flavor; adjust seasoning if using stronger brands like McCormick.
- Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal wine for deglazing; substitute with chicken broth if preferred.
- Homemade Greek dressing is recommended but good quality store-bought works well.
- Kalamata olives add essential briny flavor; do not omit or compensate with extra salt.
- Fresh garlic and lemon juice yield better flavor compared to jarred or bottled versions.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can replace cherry tomatoes for deeper flavor.
- Optional add-ins: red onions, canned artichokes, chickpeas, or diced cucumbers for garnish.
- To use spaghetti instead of angel hair, increase chicken broth by ½ cup, half and half by ½ cup, and add 3 tablespoons more Greek dressing, adding vegetables during last 2 minutes.
- At high altitudes, increase liquid amounts and cooking time as necessary.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days; reheats well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
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