This Lemon Feta Chicken recipe is the perfect quick and healthy meal that’s about to become a weeknight favorite. The delicious and creamy, lemony feta topping elevates this greek chicken to the next level! It looks and tastes impressive, but is surprisingly EASY to make!
We are big fans of mediterranean flavors, but especially greek chicken, in our home! The flavor blend of greek seasoning adds so much flavor with such little effort to any recipe. And then, adding the creamy, lemony feta mixture to the top of this chicken just knocks it out of the park! Made in one pan on the stove, with just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, this recipe fits into real life. Who says a meal that’s tasty and impressive looking can’t be easy?
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Only one pan needed – The fewer the dishes, the easier the cleanup! You’ll only need one bowl to mix the lemon feta topping and one pan to cook the chicken.
- Simple ingredients – There is nothing complicated about this recipe. It uses common ingredients that are easy to find.
- So easy! – You’ll love how easy it is to make such an impressive dish. This is not a tricky, multi-step recipe.
- Healthy & high protein – Lean chicken is always a great, healthy protein option. The lemon feta topping doesn’t just add a punch of bright, creamy flavor, but it also adds more protein. Win win!
Recipe Notes
This Lemon Feta Chicken recipe is as simple as promised! Just 10 minutes of prep and a handful of ingredients for a family friendly protein packed meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Lemon Feta Chicken to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – 2 lbs of chicken is about 3-4 breasts. You’ll want to cut or pound it into thin cutlets.
- Lemon – You’ll use the juice from two lemons, as well as the zest from one.
- Olive Oil– I use olive oil for the flavor, but feel free to use any other oil. Avocado oil is another good option.
- Greek Seasoning – You can grab any greek seasoning mix from the store or try making your own! I absolutely LOVE this homemade Greek seasoning! I make a large batch and keep it on hand.
- Feta Cheese – I use store bought, crumbled feta. Feel free to buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself.
- Garlic
- Parsley – You’ll just need a tablespoon of fresh parsley. The rest will be perfect for a garnish.
- Dill – You can use dried or fresh for this recipe. Just pay attention to the amount you use in this recipe, depending on which you choose.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Grilled Lemon Feta Chicken– If you prefer to grill, you could grill your chicken breasts or cut them into smaller pieces and place them on skewers or kabobs. Then top with the lemon feta mixture once they have finished cooking.
- Lemon Feta Chicken Thighs– You could use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Although chicken breasts are more lean than thighs, the thighs are harder to overcook and have more flavor.
- Spicy Lemon Feta Chicken– If you like a little bit of a kick to your dishes, you can easily add some red pepper flakes to the marinade as you’re preparing your chicken. Actually, the lemon feta topping would be a nice compliment to this variation.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Lemon Feta Chicken.
Combine the chicken cutlets with olive oil, lemon juice & greek seasoning. Mix to coat the chicken.
Combine feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley and dill.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil. Lay chicken in single layer and cook on each side.
Top with lemon feta topping and garnish with lemon slices and fresh herbs.
Recipe Tips
- Use Thin, Even Chicken – It’s important that you use thin chicken breasts so they cook evenly. I like to buy either thin chicken breasts, slice large ones in half, or pound them thin with a mallet.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan – Another key to perfectly cooked chicken in a skillet is to use a large skillet and not crowd the chicken. Place chicken in the skillet so it’s not touching or overlapping. This allows the chicken to cook more quickly and evenly, resulting in more tender chicken. It will also help to give the chicken a better sear if it’s not touching.
- Marinate – If you have the time to marinate, it definitely helps infuse the flavors into the chicken. This is an easy prep step you can do earlier in the day that will make dinner time that much easier and faster!
- Heat the Pan! – Do not add chicken to cold oil. Before you place your chicken into the skillet, add the oil and let it get to medium/high heat. THEN place your chicken in. If you have to cook the chicken in batches, you’ll likely need to add a bit of oil to the pan between each batch. Ensure that new oil heats up as well, before adding the new chicken.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Chicken Tenders – You can easily replace the chicken breasts with chicken tenders. You won’t need to cut or pound tenders like you might need to for chicken breasts.
- Prepare Ahead – Besides cooking the chicken, this recipe really only has two other steps. Both of these can be done in advance to make cooking time even easier! First, you can cut and prep the chicken by coating it in the olive oil, lemon juice and greek seasoning. Place it into a releasable bag or airtight container and set it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Second, you can go ahead and mix the lemon feta topping. Place it into an airtight container and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Lemon Feta Chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Combine the chicken, olive oil, lemon juice and greek seasoning and combine until the chicken is coated. Place it inside a freezer safe bag or container.
- Freeze
- Take out of the freezer and allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.
- The feta topping can be prepared and frozen in advance, as well. Feta can become more crumbly and dry after freezing. Allow time to thaw in the fridge.
- Once the feta topping is thawed, stir it and drizzle a bit of olive oil or lemon juice to make the consistency creamy.
How to Freeze Lemon Feta Chicken After Cooking
- Separate the chicken from the feta topping.
- The chicken can be placed in a resealable bag or airtight container. The feta topping can be placed in a separate container and frozen.
- Recipe can be frozen for up to 6 months.
What to Serve with Lemon Feta Chicken
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of mediterranean recipes, it will pair well with many of your favorite greek side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Pesto Roasted Veggies
- Smashed Potatoes are my kids favorite!
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- This classic Cucumber Tomato Salad is another bright and flavorful compliment to this chicken dish.
- Side Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Orzo, rice or cousous are all great options to make this chicken dish a complete meal. This simple Lemon Rice recipe would be a perfect side.
Lemon Feta Chicken Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Lemon Feta Chicken Salad– Prepare a fresh green salad with all of your favorite greek add ins. Olives, cucumbers, red peppers, red onion and chick peas are all great options. Add diced lemon feta chicken leftovers and top with this perfect lemon vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette.
- Lemon Feta Chicken Pita Pockets– Dice your leftover chicken and put into pita rounds that have been cut in half. Fill with your favorite greek ingredients, such as tzatziki sauce, cucumbers, sun dried tomatoes, spinach and sliced red onion. It would also be delicious to add more of the lemon feta toppings to the pita!
- Lemon Feta Chicken Flatbread– This would be such a fun and easy way to use your leftover chicken! I love to use naan as a flatbread base. Smear on some pesto or even just a bit of olive oil and mediterranean seasoning. Top with your chicken and favorite veggies. This Mediterranean Flatbread with Chicken recipe has some great ideas!
- Lemon Feta Chicken Grain Bowl– Think the mediterranean version of a burrito bowl! You can use couscous or rice as the base of the bowl, then top with leftover chicken and everyone’s favorite greek veggies. We love to serve bowls when we have guests over because everyone can choose their favorite toppings.
Recipe FAQ’s
Is feta dairy free?
Traditional feta is not dairy free because it’s made from goat’s milk, which contains milk proteins. However it is low in lactose, which makes it more tolerable for many with lactose intolerance.
Is this chicken dish gluten free?
Yes, it sure is! Depending on what sides you choose to serve with this chicken dish, your entire meal could be gluten free. This is a flavorful and filling meal option to serve for family members or guests who are gluten free.
Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes, you could bake the chicken instead, however you won’t get the crisp brown color to the outside. Cooking the chicken on the stovetop crusts the outside and gets it nice and juicy. It adds a distinctly different flavor to the dish versus baking it in the oven.
More EASY Mediterranean Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy greek recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas
- Greek Layer Dip
- Greek Chicken Wraps
Lemon Feta Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breast, cut or pounded into thin cutlets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons greek seasoning
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
For the Lemon Feta topping
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, from one lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon dried dill, or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the chicken cutlets with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and greek seasoning. Mix to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add remaining tablespoon of oil.Once hot, lay 3-4 chicken cutlets in a single layer in the pan. Let sear for 3 minutes then flip and cook an additional 2-4 minutes or until it is cooked through (165˚F internal temperature.)Remove from pan and repeat until all cutlets are cooked.
- Make the lemon feta topping by combining feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and dill. Stir together mashing with a fork as you go to get everything well combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return chicken to skillet and top with lemon feta topping, then garnish with additional herbs.
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