Lemon Chicken Skillet with Artichokes and Olives: Your Ultimate One-Pan Dinner Solution
Discover the magic of a complete chicken dinner prepared in just one pan. This delightful Lemon Chicken Skillet features tender chicken thighs bathed in a vibrant lemony sauce, perfectly complemented by the unique flavors of artichoke hearts and briny green olives. An exciting twist on a weeknight classic!
Chicken consistently ranks as one of the most popular proteins in American households. Its versatility makes it a staple, yet let’s be honest – without creative preparation, it can easily become a monotonous meal. Many of us can relate to the common scenario: unsure of what to cook for dinner, we instinctively reach for chicken from the freezer, hoping inspiration will strike by day’s end. While chicken provides a blank canvas for countless flavors, transforming it into something truly special requires a touch of culinary imagination.
Today, we’re thrilled to introduce a recipe that elevates the humble chicken dinner far beyond the ordinary. This Lemon Chicken Skillet with Artichokes and Olives isn’t just another chicken and vegetable dish; it’s a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired flavors that will surprise and delight your taste buds. The unexpected combination of tender artichoke hearts and piquant green olives truly defines this meal, offering a refreshing departure from your average weeknight fare. Prepare to be excited about chicken again!
The Unbeatable Convenience of One-Pan Meals
For those who juggle busy schedules, the appeal of a one-pan meal is undeniable. It’s my personal secret weapon on most nights of the week. Imagine a delicious, wholesome dinner that can be on the table in just 20-30 minutes, all cooked in a single pan. This means not only less time spent hovering over the stove but, more importantly, a drastically reduced cleanup. The thought of not having a mountain of pots and pans to wash after a satisfying meal truly makes for a happy cook. This recipe embodies that philosophy, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort and mess.
While many of my go-to skillet recipes often incorporate pasta, this Lemon Chicken Skillet takes a slightly different, yet equally delicious, path. It features succulent chicken thighs simmered in a luscious, creamy lemon sauce, studded with savory artichoke hearts and bright green olives. The result is an incredibly flavorful dish that comes together quickly, making it an ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when you crave something special without the fuss.
Why Chicken Thighs Are Perfect for This Skillet Dinner
When it comes to skillet meals, chicken thighs are an absolute game-changer. This particular cut of chicken is incredibly forgiving and bursting with natural flavor. Unlike chicken breasts, which can dry out quickly if overcooked, chicken thighs maintain their juiciness, making them perfect for simmering in a sauce. Their relatively thin structure also allows them to cook through efficiently, ensuring a quick and even cook in a skillet. For this Lemon Chicken Skillet, we lightly dust the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with flour before browning them. This simple step serves a dual purpose: it creates a delicate, crispy exterior on the chicken and acts as a natural thickener for the rich, lemony sauce, giving it a beautiful body and texture.
The star supporting actors in this dish are the artichoke hearts and, notably, lemon-stuffed green olives. We specifically used STAR Lemon Stuffed Green Olives, which infuse the dish with a delightful brininess and an extra layer of zesty lemon flavor that complements the sauce perfectly. The combination of these ingredients creates a Mediterranean-inspired profile that is both complex and comforting. Even those who typically shy away from green olives, like my husband, found themselves enjoying this unique and flavorful chicken skillet. It’s truly a testament to how well all the elements harmonize to create a quick, easy, and memorable dinner for any day of the week.
Crafting the Perfect Lemony Artichoke & Olive Sauce
The heart of this one-pan marvel lies in its incredibly flavorful sauce. After browning the flour-dusted chicken thighs, the skillet retains delicious browned bits, or fond, which are the foundation of a rich sauce. Sautéing finely chopped onions in the residual olive oil until soft unlocks their sweetness, followed by minced garlic that infuses the entire dish with its aromatic essence. The artichoke hearts and green olives are then added, allowing their flavors to meld and warm through, releasing their distinct salty, tangy notes. Deglazing the pan with chicken stock then lifts all those wonderful flavors from the bottom, creating a robust base for our lemon-infused sauce. The flour from the chicken, combined with the simmering, helps to naturally thicken the stock into a silky, cohesive sauce. Finally, stirring in butter adds a touch of richness and sheen, while a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the entire dish, ensuring every bite is bursting with zesty goodness.
Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal
This Lemon Chicken Skillet is a complete meal in itself, featuring protein and vegetables, but it can be beautifully complemented with a simple side to make it even more satisfying. Consider serving it alongside fluffy couscous, which will readily absorb the delicious lemon-artichoke sauce. A bed of warm rice, whether white or brown, also makes an excellent canvas for the rich flavors. For those preferring a low-carb option, cauliflower rice or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would be perfect. A crusty baguette is also an excellent choice, ideal for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce. Whichever you choose, this dish promises a delightful and effortless dining experience.
More One-Pan Dinner Inspiration
If you love the ease and deliciousness of one-pan meals, you’re in for a treat! Explore all our One-Pan Dinner Recipes for more fantastic options. And here are some other recipes you might enjoy from our kitchen and friends:
- Lemon Pepper Chicken with Artichokes, Mushrooms and Asparagus by Aggie’s Kitchen
- Skillet Spinach Lasagna by 365 Days of Baking
- Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet
- One Pan Garlic Chicken
Lemon Chicken Skillet with Artichokes and Olives
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 14.75 oz jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 7 oz jar lemon stuffed green olives, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.
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Lightly dust the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with all-purpose flour. Carefully add the floured chicken to the hot skillet, cooking for approximately 3 minutes on each side, or until beautifully browned and a slight crust has formed. This step is crucial for both flavor and texture.
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Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate. It does not need to be cooked through at this stage.
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Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan. Stir in the finely chopped onions and cook until they soften and become translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic, chopped artichoke hearts, and roughly chopped lemon-stuffed green olives. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Return the browned chicken and any accumulated juices from the plate back into the skillet with the vegetables. Pour in the chicken stock.
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Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the chicken stock has reduced and slightly thickened into a luscious sauce. Finally, stir in the butter until it has completely melted, adding richness and a glossy finish to the sauce.
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Serve your Lemon Chicken Skillet immediately and enjoy this vibrant and easy one-pan dinner!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. Individual ingredient brands and preparation methods may vary the actual nutritional content.
Additional Information for Your Lemon Chicken Skillet
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**Disclosure: This post features content developed in an ongoing partnership with STAR Fine Foods. I received compensation for my time and effort in creating this recipe. However, all thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for this dish are 100% my own and authentically expressed.