Description
The Mediterranean Chicken Skillet is a vibrant and wholesome one-pan meal combining fresh vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, this colorful dish offers a balanced blend of flavors and textures that make it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or to impress loved ones with a nutritious and delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 strips smoked turkey bacon, sliced into small strips
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
Liquids and Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 1/4 cup grape juice (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Seasonings and Others
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based), shredded
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Wash and chop all vegetables as directed. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and slice the smoked turkey bacon into small strips to ensure fast, smooth cooking.
- Sauté the smoked turkey bacon: Heat the olive oil (natural) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the smoked turkey bacon and cook until crispy, about 3-5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the flavorful fat in the pan.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside with the bacon.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the remaining fat, add the minced garlic and sliced red onion. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Then add the bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Deglaze and combine: Pour in the grape juice (natural) to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits from the bottom to add flavor. Return the cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet. Stir in the spinach leaves, dried oregano, and dried basil until the spinach wilts and ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Add plant-based cheese and finish: Sprinkle the shredded plant-based cheese (plant-based) over the skillet. Cover loosely and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Serve hot directly from the pan.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables for enhanced flavor and vibrant texture.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary for even browning.
- Maintain medium heat to avoid burning delicate vegetables while ensuring thorough cooking.
- Allow the cooked chicken to rest a few minutes off heat for juicier bites.
- Add dried herbs towards the end of cooking to preserve their aroma and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, one pan meal, healthy dinner, quick recipe, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon
