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Easy Mediterranean Casserole With Chicken Recipe

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This Easy Mediterranean Casserole With Chicken is a hearty casserole bursting with so much flavor! 


Filled with delicious chicken, a zesty tomato sauce, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and tangy feta cheese, this recipe is a whole meal in one pan.

Large white bowl with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, white beans, and crumbled white cheese. There is a spoon resting in the bowl. There is a small white plate with the same mixture on it. Items are on a wood surface.

Mediterranean Chicken Casserole is one of those easy dinners to make for a busy weeknight dinner.

This easy casserole is a healthy complete meal with delicious mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients For Mediterranean Casserole With Chicken

There is a white bowl with leaf spinach, a white bowl with pieces of raw chicken, a square bowl with red tomato sauce, a white bowl with white beans, a small white bowl with black olives, a white plate with a block of white cheese, three small clear glass ramekins with ground spices, a clear measuring cup with a light brown liquid in it. There is a yellow bell pepper, a red bell pepper, a yellow onion, a head of garlic, eight cherry tomatoes, a few sprigs of parsley and a clear glass urn with olive oil in it. Items are on a white marble surface.

What You Will Need –

  • Chicken thighs – skinless and boneless
  • Sea salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Red bell pepper
  • Yellow bell pepper
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Juice of whole lemon
  • Dried oregano
  • Ground allspice 
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Strained tomatoes
  • Chicken broth
  • Canned chickpeas
  • Baby spinach
  • Kalamata olives
  • Feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley – optional
  • Cherry tomatoes – optional

Useful Equipment and Kitchen Tools

  • Dutch oven / large oven proof sauce pan with a tight fitting lid                     
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board
  • Large kitchen knife
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
White plate with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, white beans, and crumbled white cheese. There is a fork resting on the plate. There is a white cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white marble surface.

Casserole Ingredients Variations and Substitutions


Chicken Thighs – Skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs can be used and both are considered lean protein.

Red Peppers – Red, yellow, and orange peppers add a wonderful sweet flavor. Green bell peppers are a little bit bitter but can be used.

Yellow Onion – Red onion is a great substitution.

Strained Tomatoes – Canned diced, crushed tomatoes, or tomato sauce can be substituted.

Chicken Broth –  Use chicken stock or any broth you have in the pantry.

Chickpeas / Garbanzo Beans – I love the crunchiness of chickpeas in this dish. Feel free to use your favorite white bean. Black beans are also good.

Baby spinach – Substitute regular leaf spinach – stemmed.

Kalamata olives – Add as many that you want or omit altogether.

Feta cheese – Both crumbled or block (cut up) can be used.

Fresh Parsley – Often I substitute fresh basil for the parsley, delicious!

Other vegetables that can be added – artichoke hearts, green beans, and zucchini.

Large white bowl with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, white beans, and crumbled white cheese. There is green parsley in the background. Items are on a white marble surface.

Step By Step Easy Dinner Recipe

White plate with chunks of red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and onion. There is a small clear bowl with minced garlic in it in front of white plate. Items are on a white marble surface.
  • Roughly chop the peppers and onion.
  • Mince the garlic.
Large white pot raw pieces of chicken in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pot.
Large white pot cooked pieces of chicken in it. Pot is on a white marble surface.
  • Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into roughly 1 inch pieces. 
  • Place chicken in a large bowl and toss with salt and black pepper.
  • Heat oil in Dutch oven.
  • Add chicken and cook for several minutes until golden brown.
  • Transfer the meat to a dish and set aside.
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, and onion in it.
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, and onion in it. There is a clear glass dish with cooked pieces of chicken in it. There are two small clear ramekins with ground seasoning in them. There is a half of lemon. Items are on a white marble surface.
  • Lower the heat and add the onion and peppers.
  • Cook for about 2 minutes.add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring a few times, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
  • Return the cooked chicken, including any juices, to the pan.
  • Add half the juice of the lemon, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and all-spice.
  • Stir well to remove any browned pieces that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan. 
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, onion, and pieces of chicken.
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, and white beans.
  • Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, and chicken stock, 
  • Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Cover and place in the pre-heated oven. 
  • Cook for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is throughly cooked and vegetables are tender.
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, and white beans. There is a wooden spoon resting in the pot. In the background there is a small white plate with small chunks of white cheese and a small white bowl with small round tomatoes cut in half, a medium white bowl with spinach leaves in it, a small white bowl with halved black olives and a half of lemon. Items are on a white marble surface.
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, black olives, and white beans. Next to the pot there is a small white plate with small chunks of white cheese and a small white bowl with small round tomatoes cut in half. Items are on a white marble surface.
  • While the casserole is baking, prep the parsley, spinach, olives, and cherry tomatoes. (if using in recipe)
  • Remove the Mediterranean Chicken Casserole from the oven.
  • Stir in the rest of the ingredients – lemon juice, spinach, olives, and feta cheese.
Large white pot with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, white beans, crumbled white cheese and small tomatoes on top. Pot is on a white marble surface.
  • If you are adding cherry tomatoes – 
  • Turn up the oven temperature to broil.
  • Top casserole with cherry tomatoes and a little bit more feta cheese.
  • Return the uncovered pot to the oven and broil for 5 minutes (until the tomatoes start to blister).

See recipe card below for the full recipe: measurements, details, and total time.

Large white bowl with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, white beans, and crumbled white cheese. There is a spoon resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a wood surface.

Serve this delicious one-pot meal with crusty bread and enjoy!

Looking For More Casseroles? Try these easy recipes! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Mediterranean Chicken Casserole Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes, the casserole can be made a day ahead time. Cook as instructed and let the casserole cool to room temperature.

Store in the fridge until needed. Reheat on the stovetop until warm, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to broil. Add tomatoes to the top of the casserole and place under broiler for five minutes.

Can This Casserole Recipe Be Made As A Vegetarian Dish?

Yes, absolutely! Substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

Sweet potatoes or rice are flavorful options to replace the chicken.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Easy Mediterranean Casserole With Chicken Recipe

Large white bowl with a variety of bell peppers, tomato sauce, pieces of chicken, spinach, white beans, and crumbled white cheese. There is a spoon resting in the bowl. There is a small white plate with the same mixture on it. Items are on a wood surface.

This Easy Mediterranean Casserole With Chicken is a hearty casserole bursting with so much flavor! 

Filled with delicious chicken, a zesty tomato sauce, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and tangy feta cheese, this recipe is a whole meal in one pan.

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs - skinless and boneless
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium red bell pepper - coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper - coarsely chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion - coarsely chopped
  • 4 to 6 fresh garlic cloves- minced
  • Juice of whole lemon - to be divided in half
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 24 ounces strained tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock
  • 16 ounces chickpeas - 1 can (drained)
  • 3 cups baby spinach - stemmed
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives - pitted and cut in half
  • 8 ounces feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes - cut in half (optional)

Instructions

  1. Roughly chop the peppers and onion.
  2. Mince the garlic.
  3. Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into roughly 1 inch pieces. 
  4. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl.
  5. Season chicken with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix with wooden spoon until evenly coated.
  6. Heat a heavy-based Dutch Oven or oven proof saucepan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat.
  7. Add olive oil to heated pan. When the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan.
  8. Saute' the chicken for several minutes, turning a few times to ensure all sides are a golden color.
  9. Transfer the chicken to a dish and set aside.
  10. Turn the heat down to medium, add the onion and the bell peppers.
  11. Cook for about 2 minutes then add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring a few times, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
  12. Return the cooked chicken, including any juices, to the pan.
  13. Add half the juice of the lemon, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and all-spice.
  14. Stir well to remove any browned pieces that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan. 
  15. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, and chicken stock.
  16. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and place in the pre-heated oven. 
  17. Cook for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is throughly cooked and vegetables are tender.
  18. While the casserole is baking, chop the parsley, remove spinach stems, cut olives in half and cherry tomatoes. (if using in recipe)
  19. Remove the Mediterranean Chicken Casserole from the oven. 
  20. Stir in the remaining ingredients - the other half of the lemon juice, spinach, olives, and feta cheese. 
  21. Serve while still warm.

If you are adding cherry tomatoes -

  1. Turn up the oven temperature to broil.
  2. Top casserole with cherry tomatoes.
  3. Return the uncovered pot to the oven and broil for 5 minutes (until the tomatoes start to blister).

Notes

Casserole Ingredients Variations and Substitutions

Chicken Thighs - Skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs can be used and both are considered lean protein.

Red Peppers - Red, yellow, and orange peppers add a wonderful sweet flavor. Green bell peppers are a little bit bitter but can be used.

Yellow Onion - Red onion is a great substitution.

Strained Tomatoes - Canned diced, crushed tomatoes, or tomato sauce can be substituted.

Chicken Stock -  Use any stock or broth you have in the pantry.

Chickpeas / Garbanzo Beans - I love the crunchiness of chickpeas in this dish. Feel free to use your favorite white bean. Black beans are also good.

Baby spinach - Substitute regular leaf spinach - stemmed

Kalamata olives - Add as many that you want or omit altogether.

Feta cheese - Both crumbled or block (cut up) can be used.

Fresh Parsley - Often I substitute fresh basil for the parsley, delicious!

Other vegetables that can be added - artichoke hearts, green beans, and zucchini.

Did you make this recipe?

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© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: Mediterranean / Category: Casseroles

Miz Helen

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

We sure have enjoyed featuring your awesome post at Full Plate Thursday, 662. Thanks so much for sharing with us and hope you will come back to see us soon! Miz Helen

Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen

Thursday 19th of October 2023

Thank you so much Miz Helen! I enjoy your blog and look forward to being part of you link parties every week! Cheers! Laura

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