One-Basket Mediterranean Air Fryer Chicken & Veggies
This one-basket Mediterranean chicken tastes like a restaurant plate, but it is high in protein, easy to make, and ready in about 25 minutes. Juicy chicken, colorful vegetables, chickpeas, lemon, garlic, olives, basil, and feta all come together in one air fryer basket.
Watch the Mediterranean Chicken Video
Juicy Mediterranean chicken cooked in the air fryer with colorful vegetables, feta, and fresh basil
Why This One-Basket Method Works
Cutting the chicken and vegetables into similar bite-size pieces helps everything cook evenly. The chicken, zucchini, pepper, onion, and chickpeas get coated together in the lemon-garlic spice mixture, while the tomatoes and olives go in for only the final five minutes so they stay juicy and flavorful.
The most important step: Shake the basket well after the first 10 minutes and check the largest piece of chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F before serving.
One-Basket Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
A bright, high-protein air fryer dinner with chicken, vegetables, chickpeas, lemon, olives, basil, and feta. Omit the chickpeas for a stricter keto-friendly version.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (omit for strict keto)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives
Lemon-Garlic Seasoning
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- Light olive oil spray for the second cook
For Finishing
- Fresh basil
- Crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
- Combine: Add the zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, chicken, and drained chickpeas to a large bowl.
- Season: Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Toss: Mix everything thoroughly until the chicken, vegetables, and chickpeas are evenly coated.
- Start cooking: Spread the mixture in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Shake and add: Shake the basket well. Add the cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives, then lightly spray everything with olive oil.
- Finish cooking: Air fry for 5 more minutes, or until the largest chicken piece reaches 165°F internally.
- Garnish: Finish with fresh basil and crumbled feta before serving.
Tips for the Best Mediterranean Chicken
- Keep the pieces similar in size. Evenly sized chicken and vegetables cook more consistently.
- Drain the chickpeas well. Excess water can prevent the ingredients from browning.
- Do not skip the shake. Tossing everything after 10 minutes exposes more surfaces to the circulating hot air.
- Add the tomatoes later. Five minutes gives them time to soften without completely breaking down.
- Use temperature, not color, to test the chicken. The center of the largest piece should reach 165°F.
- Make it strict keto. Leave out the chickpeas and add a little more zucchini or bell pepper if desired.
Serving Ideas
Serve this Mediterranean chicken and vegetable mixture as-is for a lower-carb bowl, spoon it over 90-second microwave rice, pile it onto a fresh salad, or tuck it into warm pita. It is also a flavorful option for make-ahead lunches.
Gear Used for This Recipe
Gourmia Air Fryer
The roomy air fryer I use for one-basket chicken and vegetable dinners.
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Oil Sprayer
Adds a light, even coat of oil before the final five minutes of cooking.
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Rachael Ray Grater
Useful for grating and crumbling ingredients quickly during prep.
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My Favorite Knife
My everyday knife for cutting the chicken and vegetables into even pieces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mediterranean air fryer chicken keto friendly?
It can be. Omit the chickpeas for a stricter keto-friendly version and replace them with more zucchini, bell pepper, or another low-carb vegetable.
Do I need to cook the chickpeas first?
No. Use canned chickpeas that have been drained and rinsed. They warm and lightly roast alongside the chicken and vegetables.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes. Cut boneless chicken thighs into similar-size chunks and cook until the largest piece reaches 165°F.
Why are the tomatoes and olives added later?
Adding them for the final five minutes warms and softens them without letting the tomatoes completely break down.
What can I serve with Mediterranean chicken and vegetables?
Serve it on its own, over microwave rice, on top of a salad, or inside warm pita.
Did You Make This Mediterranean Chicken?
Leave a comment below and tell me how you served it: as a bowl, over rice, on a salad, or wrapped in pita.
Watch More Easy Air Fryer Recipes2 responses to “Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken”
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So Good!!!!!
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Absolutely delicious
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