Description
Greek Chicken Bites are flavorful, juicy pieces of chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, and oregano, then pan-seared to perfection and finished with a white wine deglaze. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a healthy dinner or a protein-packed snack, delivering bright Mediterranean flavors in just 20 minutes of active cooking time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb. chicken breasts cut into 1″ pieces (about 2 breasts)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- juice and zest of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
- 2 cloves garlic minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth, or water in a pinch
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade. In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend all the flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken. Place the cut chicken breasts inside a plastic bag or a container with a lid. Pour the marinade over the chicken and stir or smush gently to coat all pieces evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes, or preferably 2 to 24 hours for best flavor absorption. You can skip this step if short on time.
- Preheat the Skillet. Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until very hot—this takes a few minutes for cast iron or about a minute for other materials. Ensure the pan is hot enough for searing.
- Cook the Chicken. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, spreading them in a single even layer. Let them cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes to develop a nice sear. Flip each piece and cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the chicken is no longer pink inside.
- Deglaze the Pan. Pour the white wine into the skillet, using a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom. Continue sautéing until most of the wine has evaporated and the chicken is well coated with the flavorful drippings. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If using a stainless steel or not well-seasoned cast iron skillet, add 1 additional tablespoon of olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- This marinade and cooking method work well with other proteins such as chicken thighs, pork, steak tips, or shrimp, though cooking times may vary accordingly.
- Substitutions: 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar can replace lemon juice (omit zest), and 1 teaspoon garlic powder can replace fresh garlic.
- You can substitute dried oregano with 1.5 tablespoons fresh oregano or pre-mixed Greek seasoning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
