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Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet Easy Recipe

Ground chicken gets a glow-up when it meets sun-dried tomatoes, briny olives, and a handful of fresh herbs. This Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet is what happens when you want something quick, nourishing, and full of those bright, sunny flavors that make dinner feel like a little getaway.

I started playing with ground chicken back in 2019 when I noticed how affordable and versatile it was at my local Texas grocery storelean, quick-cooking, and way more forgiving than ground turkey. The trick is browning it just enough to get crispy edges before folding in all those bold ingredients. After testing this at least a dozen times, I can tell you it hits that sweet spot between cozy and energizing.

MEDITERRANEAN KETO GROUND CHICKEN SKILLET centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Yesica Andrews

Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet Easy Recipe

Enjoy a vibrant and healthy Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet that brings together juicy ground chicken, salty feta, and flavorful olives with fresh vegetables and aromatic spices. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner and rich in keto-friendly ingredients.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped (red or green)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1⁄3 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1⁄4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of half a lemon

Method
 

  1. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the ground chicken and cook it through, breaking it apart until browned, roughly 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring often until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Mix in the chopped bell pepper, dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Let this cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the pepper to soften.
  4. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced Kalamata olives, combining everything well. Cook for 5 minutes so the tomatoes release their juices and meld with the other ingredients.
  5. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top and let it warm slightly and melt into the mixture.
  6. Take the skillet off the heat, then fold in the freshly chopped parsley and squeeze in the lemon juice.
  7. Give it a final taste and tweak any seasoning if needed before serving warm.

Notes

  • This skillet tastes great alongside a fresh green salad. Feel free to swap ground chicken for turkey or beef. For a little heat, chili flakes work well. Perfect for meal prep and keeps up to 3 days refrigerated. Zucchini or spinach can be added for extra veggies. This recipe is keto-friendly and gluten-free.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Wonder

Ground chicken is such an underrated weeknight heroaffordable, quick-cooking, and just waiting to soak up all those gorgeous Mediterranean flavors. When I first started shopping farmers’ markets in Texas, I learned that simple, fresh ingredients don’t need much fussing. This skillet proves it.

  • Ready in 30 minutes: Perfect for those nights when you want something nourishing without the wait.
  • Keto-friendly and naturally gluten-free: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and vibrant veggiesno fillers, no guilt.
  • Big, bold flavors: Briny olives, tangy feta, and a bright lemon finish make every bite feel special.
  • One skillet, minimal cleanup: Everything cooks together, which means less time scrubbing and more time relaxing.
Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet in a cast iron pan with golden chicken, cherry tomatoes, olives, and crumbled feta

What You’ll Need (and Why)

Shopping for this Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet is easymost of these ingredients are grocery store staples. Here’s what makes each one matter:

  • Ground chicken: Lean, mild, and quick to brownit’s the perfect blank canvas for bold seasonings.
  • Olive oil: A little goes a long way for sautéing and adding that classic Mediterranean richness.
  • Onion, garlic, and bell pepper: These aromatics build the flavor base and add natural sweetness.
  • Oregano, smoked paprika, and cumin: The spice trio that gives this skillet its warm, earthy backbone.
  • Cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives: Juicy, tangy, and bursting with colorthey’re what make this dish feel sunny.
  • Feta cheese: Creamy, salty, and just a little indulgent. It melts into the chicken beautifully.
  • Fresh parsley and lemon juice: The final flourish that brightens everything up.

How It All Comes Together

Here’s the beauty of a one-pan meal: each step builds on the last, layering flavor as you go. You’ll start by browning the ground chicken until it gets those crispy, golden edgesthat’s where the flavor lives. Then you’ll soften the onion and garlic, add your bell pepper and spices, and let everything mingle.

Once the cherry tomatoes hit the pan, they’ll start to break down and create a light, flavorful sauce. The olives add brininess, the feta melts in, and a squeeze of lemon at the end ties it all together. It’s simple, but every ingredient has a job to do.

StepWhat HappensTime
Brown the chickenCook until golden and crumbly6-8 mins
Sauté aromaticsOnion and garlic soften and release flavor2-3 mins
Add pepper & spicesBell pepper softens, spices bloom3-4 mins
Simmer tomatoes & olivesTomatoes break down into a light sauce5 mins
Finish with feta & lemonCheese melts, lemon brightens1 min

Swaps and Tweaks to Make It Yours

This skillet is wonderfully flexible. If you’re cooking for picky eaters or just want to use what’s in your fridge, here are some easy swaps that keep the spirit of the dish intact:

IngredientSwap Ideas
Ground chickenGround turkey or lean ground beef
Bell pepperZucchini, eggplant, or yellow squash
Kalamata olivesGreen olives or sun-dried tomatoes
Feta cheeseGoat cheese or shredded mozzarella
Fresh parsleyBasil, cilantro, or dill

Pro Tip: If you like a little heat, toss in some red chili flakes when you add the spices. It adds just enough kick without overpowering the Mediterranean vibe.

How to Serve and Store

Straight from the skillet, this dish is hearty enough to stand on its ownbut it also plays well with others. Serve it over cauliflower rice, alongside a crisp green salad, or with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top. It’s the kind of meal that feels complete without needing much on the side.

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so don’t be surprised if day two tastes even better. Just reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if it needs loosening up.

Make-ahead tip: You can prep the veggies and measure out your spices the night before. When dinnertime rolls around, everything comes together in a flash.

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FAQs (Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet)

Can I substitute ground turkey for chicken in this recipe?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute. Use 93/7 lean ground turkey for best results. The cooking time remains the same, but turkey may release slightly more moisture during cooking. Season generously as turkey can be milder in flavor than chicken.

What type of olives work best for this dish?

Kalamata olives provide the most authentic Mediterranean flavor with their rich, briny taste. Castelvetrano olives offer a milder option if you prefer less saltiness. Always use pitted olives and pat them dry before adding to prevent excess moisture in the skillet.

How do I prevent the feta from melting completely?

Add crumbled feta during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking and avoid stirring vigorously. Use block feta cheese and crumble it yourself rather than pre-crumbled varieties. Remove the skillet from heat immediately after adding feta to maintain its texture.

Can this meal be made ahead of time?

This recipe is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Store without the fresh herbs and add them when reheating. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent the feta from becoming rubbery.

What vegetables can I add to make it more filling?

Zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach complement the Mediterranean flavors perfectly while keeping it keto-friendly. Add diced zucchini with the onions, bell peppers midway through cooking, and fresh spinach at the end. These vegetables maintain the authentic taste profile.

Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet pin image with golden chicken, tomatoes, olives, and feta for saving and sharing

This Mediterranean Keto Ground Chicken Skillet comes together in about thirty minutes and delivers every timegolden chicken, juicy tomatoes, and that perfect salty-tangy bite from olives and feta. You’ll love how the whole kitchen smells while it’s cooking, and how satisfying it feels to pull together something this nourishing without much fuss. It’s the kind of dinner that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.

If you want to switch things up, try swapping the bell pepper for diced zucchini or adding a handful of fresh spinach at the endit wilts right in and adds a pop of green. Leftovers reheat beautifully on the stovetop with just a splash of chicken broth to loosen things up. A trick I picked up from shopping Texas farmers’ markets: always taste your olives before adding themsome are saltier than others, and it helps you decide whether to go easy on extra seasoning.

I’d love to hear how this one turns out in your kitchendid you add your own twist, or keep it classic? Snap a photo and share it, or tuck this recipe away for a night when you need something quick, healthy, and deeply satisfying. Here’s to easy dinners that feel like a little escape, right from your own stove.

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