This Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers is not just a meal; it’s a vibrant celebration of flavors that consistently earns rave reviews. Zesty, aromatic, and incredibly satisfying, this dish brings the sun-drenched coasts of the Mediterranean right to your dining table.

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Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives and Capers: Your Next Flavorful & Healthy Dinner

As the last whispers of summer breeze through, carrying hints of autumn’s approach, I find myself clinging to every last drop of sunshine and the incredible bounty it offers. While many might be ready to embrace pumpkin spice and apple picking, my heart (and my kitchen) is still firmly rooted in savoring the peak of summer’s harvest, especially those glorious, sun-ripened tomatoes. And what better way to honor them than with one of my all-time favorite dishes: Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers.

This recipe isn’t just about using up end-of-season produce; it’s a timeless dish that embodies the very essence of Mediterranean cuisine – fresh, wholesome, and bursting with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that transports you to a coastal European village with every forkful, offering a delightful escape from the everyday.

The Allure of Mediterranean Flavors: Why This Dish is a Must-Try

The Mediterranean diet is celebrated worldwide for its health benefits and its emphasis on fresh, unprocessed ingredients. This chicken dish is a perfect example of why this culinary tradition is so beloved. It masterfully blends savory, sweet, tangy, and briny notes into a harmonious symphony of taste. Beyond its deliciousness, it’s a relatively simple recipe to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight family dinner or an impressive dish for entertaining guests.

What sets this Mediterranean chicken apart is its remarkable ability to marry robust flavors with tender, juicy chicken. The dish is incredibly versatile, easily adaptable to your pantry staples, and always leaves a lasting impression. From the succulent chicken thighs to the vibrant sauce brimming with sweet raisins, salty olives, and tangy capers, every component plays a crucial role in creating an unforgettable culinary experience.

The Star Ingredients: A Deep Dive into What Makes This Dish Shine

The magic of this Mediterranean Chicken lies in its carefully selected ingredients, each contributing a distinct layer to the overall flavor profile. Let’s explore what makes each element indispensable:

Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs: We opt for chicken thighs because they are inherently more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts. The bone helps to keep the meat moist during cooking, and the skin, when seared to golden perfection, adds a delightful crispiness and richness that elevates the entire dish.
Fresh Tomatoes (Grape & Cherry): These little jewels are the heart of our sauce. When halved, their sweetness bursts forth as they cook down, creating a natural acidity and vibrant color. Whether from a farmer’s market, your garden, or the grocery store, fresh, ripe tomatoes are key.
Yellow Onions & Garlic: The foundational aromatics of almost any great savory dish. Sautéed until fragrant and tender, they provide a sweet and pungent base that deeply flavors the sauce.
Golden Raisins: This is a delightful surprise! The sweetness of golden raisins might seem unusual, but it provides a wonderful counterpoint to the savory, salty, and tangy elements, adding depth and a subtle hint of fruitiness that is characteristic of many Mediterranean recipes.
Marsala Wine: This fortified wine is crucial for deglazing the pan, lifting all those delicious browned bits from the chicken and onions, and infusing the sauce with a complex, slightly nutty, and rich flavor. If you prefer not to use wine, an equal amount of chicken broth can be substituted, though it will alter the depth of flavor.
Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for the sauce, ensuring it’s rich and full-bodied, allowing all the other flavors to meld beautifully.
White Wine Vinegar & Granulated Sugar: A touch of white wine vinegar brightens the sauce with its sharp tang, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the raisins and tomatoes. A small amount of sugar helps to round out the acidity, creating a perfectly balanced sweet and sour profile.
Dried Oregano: The quintessential Mediterranean herb. Its earthy, slightly peppery notes are essential for evoking the regional flavors.
Pimento-Stuffed Green Olives: These add a wonderful salty, briny kick and a satisfying texture. The pimento inside provides an extra pop of flavor and color.
Capers: Small but mighty, capers deliver a pungent, salty, and distinctly tangy burst that cuts through the richness of the chicken and sauce, adding another layer of classic Mediterranean taste.
Fresh Chopped Parsley: A final flourish of fresh parsley not only adds a beautiful green garnish but also brings a clean, herbaceous finish to the dish.

From Garden to Plate: Embracing the Freshness

There’s a special joy in cooking with ingredients that come straight from the source. I’m fortunate that my neighbors, Chad and Christina, often share the incredible bounty from their garden in Pennsylvania when they visit the beach. Their homegrown tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers are a true treat. I remember having a small garden myself when my boys were little – just a few tomato and pepper plants, and some basil. It was hard work, as I’m certainly not blessed with a “green thumb,” but the satisfaction of walking out, picking what was ready, and transforming it into a fresh, delicious meal for my family was immeasurable.

Those perfectly red, ripe, and juicy grape tomatoes, along with a handful of cherry tomatoes, from Chad and Christina’s garden truly elevated this Mediterranean Chicken. Using produce at its peak ripeness makes an enormous difference in the final taste of any dish, and this recipe is no exception. It’s a wonderful reminder to seek out the best quality ingredients you can find, whether from a local market, a community garden, or your own backyard.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Culinary Perfection

Creating this flavorful Mediterranean Chicken is a straightforward process, but a few key steps ensure maximum flavor and tenderness:

Preheat Oven & Prepare Chicken: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Lightly dust them with all-purpose flour and season generously with salt and pepper. The flour helps create a beautiful golden crust and thickens the sauce slightly.
Sear the Chicken: Heat a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here) over medium-high heat with a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the skin is deeply caramelized and golden brown. This searing step locks in moisture and develops rich flavor. Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer it to a casserole dish.
Build the Flavor Base: In the same skillet, add the sliced yellow onions. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the golden raisins and finely chopped garlic, continuing to sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Deglaze and Create the Sauce: Pour the Marsala wine into the pan, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This “deglazing” process adds incredible depth to your sauce. Stir in the halved grape tomatoes, chicken broth, white wine vinegar, granulated sugar, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Add Briny Elements: Finally, add the pimento-stuffed green olives and drained capers to the simmering sauce. Let it gently cook for a minute or two to allow their flavors to release.
Combine & Bake: Pour the entire sauce mixture evenly over the seared chicken thighs in the casserole dish.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the casserole dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The chicken is done when it’s no longer pink in the center, the juices run clear, and an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone registers 165°F (74°C).
Garnish & Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

This Mediterranean Chicken is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of sides:

Classic Starches: My personal favorites are creamy mashed potatoes or light, fluffy orzo pasta. The extra sauce from the chicken is divine spooned over these sides. Rice pilaf, couscous, or quinoa are also excellent choices for soaking up the delicious juices.
Crusty Bread: Don’t underestimate the simple pleasure of a warm, crusty baguette or ciabatta for dipping into the flavorful sauce.
Fresh Green Salad: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the chicken.
Roasted Vegetables: Complement the dish with roasted asparagus, green beans, or even some zucchini and bell peppers.
Wine Pairing: A crisp, dry white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or even a light-bodied rosé would complement the zesty and briny notes of the dish perfectly.

Tips for Success and Creative Variations

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, ensure there’s enough space between pieces so they brown nicely rather than steam. Cook in batches if necessary.
Adjust Sweetness/Tanginess: Taste the sauce before adding the chicken back. If you prefer it sweeter, add a pinch more sugar. If you like it tangier, a splash more white wine vinegar can be added.
Chicken Cut Variations: While bone-in, skin-on thighs are recommended for flavor, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even chicken breasts. Adjust cooking times accordingly; boneless cuts will cook faster.
Add More Vegetables: Feel free to toss in other Mediterranean-inspired vegetables like sliced bell peppers, artichoke hearts, or spinach during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Herb Variations: Experiment with other fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary if you desire.

Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives and Capers

Author: Mary Ann Dwyer adapted from Cuisine Tonight – 106 Quick and Easy Recipes

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

4 bone-in chicken thighs with skin
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups yellow onions, sliced and cut into quarters
1 cup golden raisins
2 Tbsp. garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 cup pimento-stuffed green olives
2 Tbsp. capers, drained
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Add oil to a large, oven-safe skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
Dust chicken with flour, and season generously with salt and pepper.
Add chicken to the pan, skin side down. Cook until the outside is caramelized, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place in a casserole dish.
Add onion to the same pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the raisins and garlic and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Deglaze the pan with the Marsala wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Stir in the tomatoes, chicken broth, vinegar, sugar, and oregano and bring to a boil.
Add the olives and the capers to the sauce.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the casserole dish.
Cook for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F (74°C) near the bone.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

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So, if you’re looking for a delightful way to utilize those gorgeous, end-of-summer tomatoes, or simply craving a healthy and incredibly flavorful chicken dinner any time of year, you absolutely must give this Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers a try! I guarantee it will be a hit, leaving everyone at your table saying, “winner, winner, chicken dinner!”

Enjoy your meal, and I’ll see you back in the kitchen soon!