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A close-up of a Mediterranean chicken skillet with braised chicken thighs, olives, feta, and parsley in a yellow pan.

Zesty Lemon-Herb Mediterranean Chicken with Fresh Salsa

Tender chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant lemon-herb blend, air-fried to perfection, and served with a refreshing, bright tomato-cucumber-olive salsa. A healthy and flavorful weeknight meal!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken & Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs trimmed
  • 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp sea salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Mediterranean Salsa
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
  • 0.5 cup cucumber diced
  • 0.25 cup red onion finely diced
  • 0.25 cup Kalamata olives pitted and sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • pinch sea salt
  • pinch black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk well to create the marinade.
  2. Add the trimmed chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best flavor. (This marinating time is not included in the active prep time).
Prepare the Mediterranean Salsa
  1. While the chicken marinates, prepare the salsa. In a small mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely diced red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, and fresh chopped parsley.
  2. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine and set aside.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
  2. Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
  3. Air fry for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer and the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve
  1. Serve the sliced Zesty Lemon-Herb Mediterranean Chicken hot, topped generously with the fresh Mediterranean Salsa.

Notes

For a baked version, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Store leftover chicken and salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Consider serving with a side of quinoa, couscous, or a green salad for a complete meal.