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Chicken with Tomatoes & Olives

Braised Chicken with Olives and Tomatoes is a flavorful one pot dish bound to help you get out of a cooking rut. This tender, juicy chicken is cooked in tomatoes, lemons and olives. 

Let’s talk about getting bored in the kitchen.

It happens. In fact, I think that is why a lot of people don’t cook all that often. They always cook the same things so it gets a little ho-hum.

Boredom in the kitchen is exactly why I started this blog in the first place. I found myself always buying the same things at the grocery store week in and week out. I had a few solid good recipes that I would make throughout the week. Other nights we’d eat sandwiches. Or eat out.

Boring.

Now, this dish isn’t totally out there. It doesn’t change the book on chicken. But it does bring out a Mediterranean flavor profile that is out of this world. And you make it all in one skillet!

So with this recipe, we’ve got an easy, flavorful, one-pan chicken dish that your family will love!

Here’s what you’ll need to make it: 

Ingredients for Braised Chicken with Olives: 

Overhead photo of ingredients for braised chicken with tomatoes and olives on white background.
  • CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS AND THIGHS: Bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks work best for this recipe. Braising them results in juicy, flavorful chicken. I don’t recommend boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe as they will be a little too dry after braising. 
  • SALT AND PEPPER: To season the chicken before searing. 
  • BUTTER/OIL: To sear the chicken. 
  • ONION and GARLIC
  • DICED TOMATOES: With their juice! Don’t drain them. The liquid in the can is what the chicken will braise in. 
  • CHICKEN BROTH: Use low sodium chicken broth, the olives to give a lot of saltiness to the dish. 
  • DRIED OREGANO
  • LEMON: To brighten the sauce. 
  • GREEN OLIVES WITH PIMENTOS: I prefer green olives for this recipe but you can substitute black olives if that is what you have on hand. 

Step by Step Photos and Instructions: 

This braised chicken is all made in one large skillet so it is pretty easy to make. Follow along with these step by step photos and instructions. 

STEP #1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat butter and olive oil together in a skillet until butter melts. Season chicken liberally on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook chicken just until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. 
STEP #2: Reserve 2 tablespoons of pan drippings add onion and garlic. Cook 1 minute. Pour in tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir in oregano. 

STEP #3: Return chicken to pan scatter lemon around chicken. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. 

STEP #4: Remove from oven and add olives. Turn oven to 400 degrees and cook chicken uncovered for 10 – 15 more minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 

I was a little unsure how it was going to work out. I was a little unsure that the lemon would be too lemony. That the olives would make it a little too briney but, guys, it totally worked. I could not get enough of the tomatoes and the chicken. And I found myself hunting for every last olive.

And I bet you will too! 

Gloria Said:

“Thank you for the recipe! I have made this so many times and it’s delicious. I have used regular green olives or use the fancy olives from the deli when they are on sale. Serve it over pasta and it’s perfect!”

If you’re looking for the perfect side dish to serve along side, try one or two of these:

Pour some of the delectable tomato sauce over garlic rice for a truly delectable side.

Sautéed Broccoli or Green Beans really help round out the meal.

And if you’re still looking for something to sop up all that sauce with, you can’t lose with my easy garlic bread.

Note: This recipe was originally published in 2015. It was updated in 2022 with new photos, tips and nutrition information.

Overhead photo of chicken in pan with olives.

Braised Chicken with Olives and Tomatoes

Braised Chicken with Olives and Tomatoes is a flavorful one pot dish bound to help you get out of a cooking rut.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 329 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 chicken drumsticks
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 lemon cut into wedges
  • 3/4 cup green olives with pimentos

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Heat butter and olive oil together in a large oven proof skillet over medium heat until butter melts.
  • Season chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Cook chicken just until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Set aside.
  • Reserve 2 tablespoons pan juices. Add onion and garlic. Cook 1 minute. Pour in tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir in oregano. Return chicken to the pan. Scatter lemon around chicken.
  • Cover and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, add olives.
  • Turn oven up to 400 degrees. Cook chicken uncovered for 10 - 15 more minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Serve.

Notes

You can use all drumsticks or all thighs without having to change to much of the cooking time. If you choose to use bone-in chicken breasts the time will likely increase due to the size of chicken breasts. 
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, might be on the dryer side due to the longer cooking time of braising so I don't really recommend them for this recipe.
Nutrition information is for estimation purposes only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 22gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 509mgPotassium: 443mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 295IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: chicken, entree, sunday dinner, tomatoes

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Gloria R.
    January 9, 2022 at 9:02 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe! I have made this so many times and it’s delicious. I have used regular green olives or use the fancy olives from the deli when they are on sale. Serve it over pasta and it’s perfect!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      January 11, 2022 at 10:37 am

      Yay! I am so happy to hear that you enjoy this, Gloria! I am going to have to try serving it over pasta one of these times, thank you for the suggestion :)

  • Reply
    Annie
    March 11, 2016 at 11:16 am

    It turned out awesome…thank you

    • Reply
      Deseree
      March 11, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      You’re welcome! So happy to hear you liked it :)

  • Reply
    kalynskitchen
    May 1, 2015 at 5:28 am

    Happy Friday! Just letting you know I featured this recipe in my Deliciously Healthy Low-Carb Recipes Round-Up for April 2015. Great recipe; I hope a lot of my readers will click over here and try it!

  • Reply
    Josie
    April 6, 2015 at 8:36 am

    Love the fact that you added olives and tomatoes- Italian twist :) Yummy!

  • Reply
    Nutmeg Nanny
    April 6, 2015 at 6:24 am

    What a beautiful looking chicken dish. I think the brininess from the olives would make a delicious addition to the traditional chicken meal….yum!

  • Reply
    marye audet
    April 6, 2015 at 6:18 am

    This looks like a fantastic combination! I love the addition of olives. mmmm….

  • Reply
    Judy @ I'm Bored, Let's Go
    April 6, 2015 at 6:14 am

    I love every ingredient in this dish…I’d probably be licking the plate clean (no kids home anymore to worry about setting a good example for).

  • Reply
    Kristen Chidsey
    April 6, 2015 at 4:18 am

    This looks great. I love with you experiment and find something fabulous and this looks great.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    April 6, 2015 at 2:16 am

    Oooh this sounds like the perfect comfort food! I love chicken, I love tomatoes, I love olives…. a fantastic, mouthwatering combination!

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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