Zesty Chicken with Olive Sauce Recipe: A Tangy Family Favorite

Tangy Mediterranean flavors dance through this zesty chicken with olive sauce that brings rustic charm to your dinner table.

Bold herbs and briny olives create a vibrant culinary experience.

Succulent chicken breasts soak up the rich, tangy sauce with every bite.

Weeknight meals never looked this elegant or tasted this incredible.

Bright lemon and robust herbs elevate each mouthful with complex layers of flavor.

This dish turns simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

Prepare to transform your ordinary chicken into an extraordinary Mediterranean-inspired sensation.

FAQs

• What makes the Castelvetrano olives special in this sauce?

Castelvetrano olives are prized for their buttery, mild flavor and bright green color. They’re from Sicily and add a creamy, less briny taste compared to traditional black or kalamata olives, creating a unique richness in the parsley-olive sauce.

• Why should I create two-zone heat on the grill?

Two-zone heat allows you to sear the chicken over high heat for beautiful browning and then move it to a cooler zone to finish cooking without burning. This technique ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken with a nice crispy exterior.

• How do I know the chicken is properly cooked without cutting it?

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. For chicken breasts, aim for 155°F, and for thighs, reach 165°F.

Grilled Chicken with Olive Sauce: Flavor Perks

• Dive into a mouthwatering explosion of tastes with the zesty parsley-olive sauce that transforms ordinary grilled chicken into a gourmet experience.
• Learn professional two-zone grilling method that ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken with beautiful golden-brown exterior and tender interior.
• Swap ingredients like different chiles or olives to match your taste preferences, making this recipe adaptable for various palates and dietary needs.
• Prepare this restaurant-quality dish in minimal steps, perfect for busy home cooks craving delicious meals without complicated preparation.

Ingredients for Parsley-Olive Chicken

• Chicken: A lean and versatile protein that serves as the primary component of this grilled dish.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Parsley, Castelvetrano Olives, Olive Brine, Fresno Chile: A vibrant and zesty combination that creates a fresh and flavorful sauce with Mediterranean influences.
• Lemon: Provides bright acidity and enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for coating the chicken and greasing the grill grates to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.

Kitchen Gear for Grilled Chicken Night

• Grill: Essential for creating those perfect char marks and smoky flavor.
• Mixing bowl: Perfect for combining parsley-olive sauce ingredients.
• Plate: Used for holding and preparing chicken.
• Paper towels: Needed to pat chicken dry before cooking.
• Cutting board: For chopping parsley, olives, and chile.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise ingredient preparation.
• Tongs: Helpful for flipping and moving chicken on the grill.
• Instant-read thermometer: Crucial for checking chicken's internal temperature.

Grilling Chicken with Olive Sauce—Steps

Step 1: Prepare the Grill Landscape

Set up your grill with a two-zone heating method.

Create a hot zone for direct searing and a cooler zone for gentle finishing.

This technique ensures perfectly cooked chicken with beautiful caramelization.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken Canvas

Grab your chicken pieces and gently pat them dry with paper towels.

If the chicken looks uneven, use the palm of your hand to flatten slightly.

This helps guarantee uniform cooking and prevents dry or undercooked sections.

Step 3: Craft the Vibrant Sauce

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Torn Castelvetrano olives
• Olive brine
• Sliced Fresno chile
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon zest and juice
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Whisk everything together to create a bright, tangy sauce bursting with Mediterranean flavors.

Step 4: Season the Chicken

Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and generously sprinkle with salt.

Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking and create those gorgeous grill marks.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place chicken on the hot grill zone.

Sear for 4-6 minutes per side until a beautiful golden-brown color develops.

Move to the cooler zone and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 155°F for breasts or 165°F for thighs.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Transfer grilled chicken into the sauce bowl.

Let it rest and absorb those incredible flavors for 5-30 minutes.

Give a final taste and adjust seasoning with extra lemon juice or pepper if needed.

Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of Mediterranean-inspired taste.

Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken

• Flatten chicken pieces to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Use two-zone heating to manage cooking speed and prevent burning while maintaining juicy meat.
• Let chicken rest in parsley-olive sauce to absorb extra aromatics and create more depth in taste.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe cooking temperatures without overcooking.
• Pat chicken dry before oiling and salting to help create a perfect golden-brown exterior and lock in moisture.

Ways to Change Up Olive Sauce

• Herb-Crusted Chicken Alternative: Replace parsley with a mix of fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-style sauce.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, maintaining the same grilling technique and sauce.
• Spicy Citrus Version: Increase heat by adding sriracha or harissa to the sauce, and swap Fresno chile with jalapeño for extra kick.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium olives, eliminate added salt, and incorporate fresh herbs to boost flavor without excess sodium.

Serving Grilled Chicken Like a Pro

• Summer Dinner Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning table presentation by arranging grilled chicken on a large wooden board, drizzling the vibrant parsley-olive sauce over the top, and garnishing with fresh parsley sprigs.
• Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Transform the dish into a shareable feast by serving the chicken alongside warm pita bread, hummus, cucumber salad, and extra sauce for dipping, perfect for casual gatherings.
• Bright Salad Companion: Slice the grilled chicken and place atop a bed of mixed greens, baby arugula, or quinoa, using the parsley-olive sauce as a zesty dressing to elevate a light meal.

Best Ways to Store Grilled Chicken

• Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the parsley-olive sauce in a separate sealed container to maintain its fresh flavor and texture.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Separate the sauce into a freezer-safe container to prevent texture changes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Drizzle reserved sauce over chicken just before serving to revive flavors.

Zesty Chicken with Olive Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired zesty chicken with olive sauce delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in a simple weeknight dinner. Fresh herbs and tangy olives complement grilled chicken, creating a delightful meal you’ll savor with enthusiasm.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken parts (breasts or thighs)
• 1/2 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted and torn
• 1 cup parsley, chopped (both leaves and stems)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 Fresno chile, finely sliced
• 2 tablespoons brine from Castelvetrano olives
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Citrus:

• 1 fresh lemon, divided

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Instructions

1. Prepare a two-zone grill with high and low heat areas, creating optimal cooking conditions for the chicken.
2. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken pieces, gently pounding thicker sections to ensure uniform thickness for consistent grilling.
3. Create vibrant parsley-olive sauce by combining extra virgin olive oil, chopped parsley, torn Castelvetrano olives, olive brine, sliced Fresno chile, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance flavor complexity.
4. Generously coat chicken with olive oil and season with salt. Simultaneously, brush grill grates with oil to prevent sticking and promote beautiful grill marks.
5. Sear chicken on high-heat zone for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown, developing rich caramelization and crisp exterior.
6. Transition chicken to cooler grill section, continuing cooking until internal temperature reaches 155°F for breasts or 165°F for thighs, ensuring safe and juicy meat.
7. Transfer grilled chicken directly into sauce bowl, allowing meat to rest and absorb aromatic sauce flavors for 5-30 minutes. Adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice and pepper before serving.

Notes

• Grill Mastery Ensure even cooking by using a two-zone heat method, creating a perfect temperature gradient for succulent, well-cooked chicken.
• Moisture Retention Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a crispy exterior and lock in natural juices during grilling.
• Flavor Enhancing Let the grilled chicken rest in the parsley-olive sauce to absorb additional layers of tangy, herbaceous flavors and keep the meat tender.
• Dietary Adaptations Swap chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version, maintaining the sauce’s vibrant Mediterranean profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg