Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
These Italian-inspired Chicken Breasts with Tomato-Olive Sauce are quick to prepare for every day meals and elegant enough for entertaining, too. The flavor of the fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic and olives intensifies while cooking, resulting in a delicious, colorful sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Main dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 242kcal
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided use
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 1 1/4 cups tomatoes seeded and chopped - see Note
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- 16 Kalamata olives pitted and chopped
- 2 teaspoons capers optional
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Kosher salt to taste
Butterfly each chicken breast and cut in half to make 8 cutlets
In a small bowl, combine the cayenne pepper, black pepper and paprika; rub over both sides of chicken (save any leftover for another use).
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 chicken cutlets and sauté on both sides until beginning to brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 165 degrees. Transfer to a large platter; cover and keep warm. Repeat with 1 tablespoon olive oil and remaining 4 cutlets (don’t clean out the skillet).
In the same skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, for around 7 to 8 minutes or until the onions are softened.
Stir in the tomatoes, chicken stock, oregano, olives and capers (if using); cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened.
Add 2 tablespoons butter and stir until melted. Season to taste with salt and ground pepper. Stir any accumulated juices from the chicken on the platter into the sauce. Spoon sauce over top of chicken breasts to serve.
Gluten free: use gluten-free chicken stock.
Note on tomatoes: When fresh tomatoes aren’t in season, for more flavor substitute 1 (15-ounce) can, drained.
Variation: Sauce is also delicious with sautéed tuna steaks.
Make ahead: Chicken and sauce can be cooked earlier in the day, stored separately in the refrigerator. Put sauce in a large skillet with chicken breasts and cook over medium heat just until hot.
Note: This recipe was originally published in my coookbook Fresh Tastes.
Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 678IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg