Mediterranean Chicken & Vegetable Stew
Savor the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this hearty Chicken & Vegetable Stew, where tender chicken breast is simmered with a colorful medley of fresh and frozen vegetables, fragrant herbs, and spices. This dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep for the week ahead. Comforting and nutritious, this stew combines classic Mediterranean ingredients like olives, basil, and bell peppers, delivering a wholesome meal that warms both the body and soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
onion
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
green pepper
3/4 cup (cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped)
garlic
2 cloves (minced)
canned tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (chopped with juice)
low sodium chicken broth
4 cups (none)
water
2 cups (none)
long-grain white rice
1/2 cup (none)
fresh basil
1 tablespoon (minced (or 1 teaspoon dried basil))
carrots
4 1/2 cups (peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick)
boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb (cut into 3/4 inch cubes)
frozen green beans
1 (10 ounce) package (packed)
black olives
1/2 cup (chopped)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large stockpot or 5-quart Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over moderate heat. Once hot, add the coarsely chopped onion and green pepper, along with the minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
2
Next, stir in the chopped canned tomatoes along with their juice, low-sodium chicken broth, water, long-grain white rice, and either fresh or dried basil. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes.
3
After 10 minutes, add the sliced carrots to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the carrots start to soften.
4
Now, add the cubed chicken breast, frozen green beans, and chopped black olives to the pot. Cook uncovered for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Finally, season with black pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Chicken & Vegetable Stew?
It is a hearty and nutritious stew where tender chicken breast is simmered with a medley of fresh and frozen vegetables, rice, and Mediterranean herbs.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
A large stockpot or a 5-quart Dutch oven is recommended for preparing this stew.
How much olive oil is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of olive oil to sauté the initial vegetables.
How should the onion be prepared?
You should use 1 cup of coarsely chopped onion.
What is the preparation for the green pepper?
The green pepper should be cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped to yield about 3/4 cup.
How many garlic cloves are required?
This recipe requires 2 cloves of minced garlic.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should use one 14.5-ounce can of chopped tomatoes along with their juice.
What type of chicken broth is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth.
How much water is added to the stew?
You should add 2 cups of water to the base of the stew.
What kind of rice is used in this stew?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of long-grain white rice.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use 1 tablespoon of minced fresh basil or substitute it with 1 teaspoon of dried basil.
How should the carrots be sliced?
You should use 4.5 cups of carrots that have been peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick.
What type of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 3/4 inch cubes.
Do I use fresh or frozen green beans?
This recipe uses one 10-ounce package of frozen green beans.
What kind of olives are included?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped black olives.
What is the final seasoning used?
The stew is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, or more to taste, before serving.
How long do I sauté the onion, pepper, and garlic?
Sauté the initial vegetables for about 5 minutes until they are softened and fragrant.
How long does the rice simmer before adding carrots?
The mixture with rice should simmer covered for 10 minutes.
When do I add the carrots to the pot?
Add the carrots after the initial 10-minute simmer and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
How long does the chicken take to cook in the stew?
The chicken, green beans, and olives should cook uncovered for about 5 minutes until the chicken is tender.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this is a one-pot meal that simplifies both cooking and cleanup.
Is this stew suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is a great option for meal prep as it is hearty and stores well for the week ahead.
What makes this a Mediterranean recipe?
The use of olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, basil, and black olives gives this stew its classic Mediterranean flavor profile.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in this Mediterranean Chicken & Vegetable Stew.
Is this recipe considered a chunky soup?
Yes, it is described as a chunky soup and a healthy stew.
What is the heat setting for sautéing the vegetables?
The olive oil and vegetables should be heated over moderate heat.
Do I cook the chicken before adding it to the stew?
No, the cubed raw chicken breast is added directly to the simmering liquid and cooked through in the final 5 minutes.
Should the stew be covered the whole time?
The stew is covered during the rice and carrot simmering stages but is uncovered during the final step when chicken is added.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken soup, chunky soup, mediterranean recipe, healthy stew, comfort food, easy dinner, and one-pot meal.
Can I add more black pepper?
Yes, the recipe suggests seasoning with black pepper to taste before serving.