Chicken Saganaki (Greek Style Chicken in Tomato & Feta Sauce) Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Saganaki is a vibrant Greek dish featuring tender chicken cooked in a rich tomato and feta sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal bursting with Mediterranean flavors.

A pan filled with a richly textured dish showing several pieces of browned, grilled chicken sitting in a thick, chunky red tomato sauce with visible bits of green bell pepper scattered throughout. The pan has a light beige interior and a dark reddish-brown exterior with a metal handle on the right side. The surface under the pan has been changed to a white marbled texture. The colors of the dish contrast well with the pan, highlighting the warm tones of the sauce and the charred edges of the chicken. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 small onion (216 grams/half pound), finely chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 14.5 ounces (411g) canned tomatoes, pureed (unsalted, no added flavors)
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sugar, or more to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 4-6 scallions, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the broiler on high. Season the chicken cubes with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and sauté one-third of the chicken cubes for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook onions and garlic in the same skillet for 8-10 minutes until golden, translucent, and soft.
  4. Step 4: Stir in pureed tomatoes, water, sugar, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Simmer until sauce reduces and thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return all the chicken to the skillet and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Step 6: Place the skillet under the broiler on the center rack for 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese melts, the sauce is bubbly, and slightly charred.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with chopped scallions and serve warm with toasted bread or over pasta.

Tips & Variations

  • Use a cast-iron or ovenproof skillet to easily transfer from stovetop to broiler without extra dishes.
  • Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to match your preferred heat level.
  • For a creamier sauce, add a splash of cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt just before serving.
  • Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture if preferred.

Storage

Store leftover Chicken Saganaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.

How to Serve

A white frying pan filled with a thick, chunky red-orange tomato sauce with pieces of browned chicken and scattered small green pepper bits on top. The chicken pieces are varied in size, browned on the edges, and partially submerged in the rich sauce, which looks slightly textured with both smooth and chunky parts. The pan handle extends to the right, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Chicken Saganaki ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat thoroughly before melting the feta under the broiler for best results.

What can I serve with Chicken Saganaki?

This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty toasted bread for dipping or over cooked pasta or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Print

Chicken Saganaki (Greek Style Chicken in Tomato & Feta Sauce) Recipe

Chicken Saganaki is a delicious Greek-style dish featuring tender chicken breast simmered in a rich tomato and feta cheese sauce. This 30-minute meal combines sautéed chicken, a flavorful tomato sauce seasoned with oregano and crushed red pepper, topped with melted feta, and finished under the broiler for a bubbly, slightly charred finish. Perfect served with toasted bread or pasta for a wholesome Mediterranean-inspired dinner.

  • Author: Isla
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 to pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauce and Cooking

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 small onion (216 grams/half pound), finely chopped
  • 34 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 14.5 ounces (411g) canned tomatoes, pureed (unsalted, no flavors added)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar, or more to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Topping and Garnish

  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 46 scallions, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat Broiler: Preheat your oven broiler on high to prepare for finishing the dish.
  2. Season Chicken: Place the cubed chicken breast in a shallow bowl or tray and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Sauté Chicken: Heat a 10-inch (26 cm) ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add one-third of the chicken cubes without crowding the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken in batches.
  4. Cook Onions and Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low and add the chopped onions and sliced garlic to the skillet. Cook gently for 8-10 minutes until the onions are soft, translucent, and slightly golden.
  5. Add Tomato Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the pureed tomatoes, water, sugar, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt (lightly, as feta is salty), and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well and simmer until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly.
  6. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return all the browned chicken cubes to the skillet and stir into the sauce. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly on top and bring the mixture to a boil on the stovetop.
  7. Broil to Finish: Place the ovenproof skillet on the center rack in the preheated broiler. Cook for 5-8 minutes until the feta cheese melts, the tomato sauce bubbles, and achieves slight charring.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with finely chopped scallions. Serve immediately, ideally with hearty toasted bread or cooked pasta to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Notes

  • Ensure the skillet is ovenproof before placing under the broiler to avoid damage.
  • Adjust sugar to balance acidity in the tomato sauce as needed.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when sautéing chicken to ensure proper browning.
  • This dish pairs well with crusty bread or pasta for a complete meal.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Chicken Saganaki, Greek chicken recipe, tomato feta chicken, quick Greek meals, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken dinner

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