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A marinated chicken breast a sliced on a chopping board

30-Second Mediterranean Chicken Marinade

Byron
With just a handful of bold, pantry-friendly ingredients like smoked paprika, cumin, and sherry vinegar, you can transform plain chicken breasts into a savory, herb-kissed dish bursting with Mediterranean flair. Perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this quick and easy marinade packs maximum flavor with minimal effort—ideal for busy cooks who refuse to sacrifice taste.
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Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Chicken, Main Course, marinade
Cuisine bbq, grill, Mediterranean
Servings 2 Main
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Chef Knife
  • Wooden Cutting Board
  • Cooking tongs
  • Small glass jar or bowl
  • Whisk or fork (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 Tbsp Sherry Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • ½ tsp White Pepper
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Tbs dried Thyme
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions
 

Step 1 - Prepare Marinade

  • Add the sherry vinegar, olive oil, dried thyme, and spices to a small jar or bowl.
    1 Tbsp Sherry Vinegar, 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 tsp Ground Cumin, ½ tsp White Pepper, 1 tsp Smoked Paprika, 1 Tbs dried Thyme, Salt to taste
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper, then shake or mix for around 30 seconds or until combined.

Step 2 - Marinate Chicken

  • Butterfly the chicken breast by cutting it through the center lengthways. See cooking video for more info.
    2 chicken breasts
  • Add chicken breasts to a bowl and drizzle with the marinade. Mix well so the breast meat is covered with the marinade.
  • OPTIONAL: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour for a more intense flavor.

Step 3 - Pan Fry Chicken

  • Add the marinated chicken breast meat to a large skillet on medium-high heat. Cook for around 5-7 minutes per side, turning once or twice as it it cooks.
  • Right before you remove the chicken from the pan, add a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice
    Optional: Freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Once done, ensure the chicken is cooked through (use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 74°C / 165°F).

Step 4 - Serve

  • To serve, season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with some dried thyme.

Video

Keyword 15-minute recipe, Chicken breast, marinated chicken, marinated chicken breast, Mediterranean, Mediterranean chicken, Mediterranean diet