Ever heard someone mention “chicken olives” and wondered what on earth they were talking about? Trust me, you’re not alone! As a food blogger who’s spent years exploring unique dishes, I’ve discovered that “chicken olives” actually refers to TWO completely different foods – and both are absolutely delicious in their own way.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about chicken olives – both the Mediterranean chicken dish made with actual olives AND the butcher’s specialty that’s a stuffed chicken roll. I’ll cover what they are, how to cook them, and share some mouthwatering recipes that’ll have your family begging for seconds!
The Two Faces of Chicken Olives
Before we dive into the details, let’s clear up the confusion
- Mediterranean Chicken with Olives – A delicious one-skillet meal featuring chicken cooked with actual olives, tomatoes, herbs and other Mediterranean ingredients
- Butcher’s Chicken Olives – A meat product made from chicken breast fillets stuffed with various fillings (often mealie pudding) and wrapped in bacon
Let’s explore both versions in detail!
Chicken Olives: The Mediterranean Classic
What Are Mediterranean Chicken Olives?
This version isn’t actually a specific food called “chicken olives” – rather, it’s a popular style of preparing chicken with olives as a key ingredient. The combination creates a dish packed with bright, fresh flavors where the briny olives balance the mild taste of chicken perfectly.
The salty, tangy olives infuse the chicken with signature Mediterranean flavors while also enhancing other ingredients in the dish. This style of cooking is common throughout the Mediterranean region, especially in countries like Italy, Greece, Morocco, and Spain.
Why Cook Chicken with Olives?
Olives add several important elements to chicken dishes:
- Flavor balance – Their salty, briney taste complements the mild flavor of chicken
- Texture contrast – They maintain their shape while cooking, providing bursts of flavor in each bite
- Regional authenticity – They infuse dishes with signature Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors
Best Olives for Chicken Recipes
Not all olives are created equal when it comes to cooking with chicken! Here are some top choices
- Kalamata olives – These Greek black olives have an earthy, wine-like flavor that stands up to bold seasonings
- Castelvetrano olives – Bright green Sicilian olives with a fresh, buttery flavor and soft texture that works well in braises
- Picholine olives – French green olives with a firm texture and moderate bitterness that complement herbs like rosemary
- Nicoise olives – Small black French olives cured with oranges and herbs for complex flavor
- Manzanilla olives – Popular Spanish green olives that are crisp, tart and salty
Pro tip: Always buy good quality olives from the refrigerated section of your grocery store instead of generic canned olives which lack flavor!
Classic Mediterranean Chicken with Olives Dishes
Several famous chicken dishes feature olives as a star ingredient:
- Chicken Cacciatore – An Italian “hunter-style” braise with tomatoes, wine, mushrooms, and olives
- Chicken Tagine – A Moroccan stew with olives, preserved lemons, and warming spices like cumin
- Mediterranean Chicken – Seared chicken with a sauce of olives, lemon, garlic, and herbs
- Chicken Marbella – A baked chicken dish with prunes, capers, oregano, white wine, and green olives
Butcher’s Chicken Olives: The Stuffed Specialty
What Are Butcher’s Chicken Olives?
This is where things get interesting! Butcher’s chicken olives aren’t related to the fruit at all. They’re actually a specialty meat product found in butcher shops, particularly in the UK and parts of Europe.
According to Bradley’s Fine Diner, they’re “tender Chicken Breast Fillets stuffed with mealie pudding (a type of savory pudding), all held together with a slice of Dry-Cured Back Bacon.” They’re essentially rolled and stuffed chicken breasts, similar to a roulade.
In some regions, chicken olives might also refer to chicken sausages or minced chicken meat seasoned with herbs and spices, then rolled into a sausage shape. The “olive” in the name refers to the small, round shape of the product, not the ingredient.
Choosing the Perfect Butcher’s Chicken Olives
When buying chicken olives from your butcher, look for:
- Freshness – They should be firm with a fresh, unblemished appearance
- Flavor options – Some butchers offer varieties like garlic, herb, or spicy
- Size – Smaller ones work best for grilling or frying, while larger ones are ideal for roasting
How to Cook Mediterranean Chicken with Olives
Let me share my favorite one-skillet Mediterranean chicken recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes! It’s packed with garlicky seared chicken, briny olives, creamy feta, tomatoes, and parsley.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic or garlic paste
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano (divided)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 4 small tomatoes, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup sliced green olives (Castelvetranos work great!)
- Handful of fresh parsley, stems removed, leaves chopped
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and make three shallow slits on each side.
- Season: Rub garlic on both sides, pushing some into the slits. Season with salt, pepper and half the oregano.
- Sear: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden.
- Braise: Add white wine and reduce by half. Add lemon juice and chicken broth. Sprinkle remaining oregano on top. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Finish: Uncover and top with onions, tomatoes and olives. Cover again and cook for 3 minutes. Garnish with parsley and feta.
I personally LOVE serving this with crusty bread to soak up all that amazing sauce! It’s also delicious over rice or pasta if you want to stretch it to feed more people.
How to Cook Butcher’s Chicken Olives
Butcher’s chicken olives are versatile and can be prepared several ways:
1. Pan-Frying
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, add chicken olives and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and cooked through.
2. Grilling
Preheat grill to medium heat, place chicken olives on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
3. Baking
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), place chicken olives on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway.
4. Roasting
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place chicken olives with vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway.
Delicious Butcher’s Chicken Olive Recipes
Here are a couple quick recipes to try with butcher’s chicken olives:
Chicken Olive Skewers with Peppers and Onions
Thread chicken olives, sliced bell peppers, and onions onto skewers. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then grill until cooked through. I made these for my family BBQ last weekend and they were a HUGE hit!
Chicken Olive and Potato Bake
Combine chicken olives with peeled, diced potatoes and chopped onion in a bowl. Pour chicken broth over mixture, transfer to baking dish, and bake at 375°F for 45-50 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake 5 more minutes. Perfect comfort food for those chilly evenings!
Tips for Cooking Chicken Olives (Both Types!)
Whether you’re making Mediterranean chicken with olives or cooking butcher’s chicken olives, these tips will help:
- Don’t overcook – Both versions can become dry when overcooked
- Season well – Both dishes benefit from proper seasoning
- Versatile serving – Both can be served as main courses or with various sides
- Make extra – These dishes are great as leftovers!
FAQ About Chicken Olives
Q: Can I substitute green olives for black in Mediterranean chicken?
A: Absolutely! Each type brings different flavors – green olives are more acidic while black olives have a deeper, earthier taste. Try mixing both!
Q: How do I know when butcher’s chicken olives are fully cooked?
A: The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check.
Q: Can I freeze chicken olives?
A: Yes! Butcher’s chicken olives can be frozen for up to 3 months. Mediterranean chicken with olives also freezes well in an airtight container.
Q: What sides go well with chicken olives?
A: Mediterranean chicken with olives pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or bread. Butcher’s chicken olives go great with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or salad.
Final Thoughts
Have you cooked with either type of chicken olives before? What’s your favorite way to prepare them? Drop me a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experiences and recipes!
Happy cooking!
How to Make Mediterranean Chicken with Olives Recipe:
This recipe is extremely easy and ready in under 30 minutes. I’m making this recipe over stovetop but this recipe can even bake this recipe.
Hence it’s made for a perfect weeknight or weekend meal. So here’s how we make the Quick Mediterranean Chicken with Olives Recipe
(for detailed steps, please follow the instructions in recipe card below):
- Season the chicken with seasoning on both sides and keep aside for 5 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and saute the seasoned chicken.
- Remove the cooked chicken (on a paper towel) and in the same pan saute garlic with the onions.
- Add chopped olives (black and green), fresh rosemary and saute.
- Add butter, olive brine and saute everything.
- Add the cooked chicken, chopped lemon slices and saute.
- Finally, add the white wine or chicken/vegetable stock and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add chopped rosemary on top.
- Transfer to serving dish and enjoy
Here are some pictures to show the cooking process:
This is definitely one of those recipes that you are going to crave again and again because of it’s flavors.
Apart from the flavors, the Quick Mediterranean Chicken with Olives Recipe is light and refreshing from the regular chicken recipe.
Ingredients for the Quick Mediterranean Chicken with Olives Recipe:
- Chicken – skinless and boneless (I’m using chicken breasts but you can use chicken thigs with bones)
- Olives – I’m using a mix of pimento-stuffed green olives and black olives (can use kalmata olives or just one kind of olives too).
- Seasoning – Cayenne, Dry Rosemary, Dry Oregano, Salt
- White Wine – I’m using Chardonnay (you can use any dry white wine or chicken/veggie stock too).
- Red Onion & Garlic Cloves
- Lemons
- Butter
- Fresh Rosemary
- Parsley – for decoration
Below is the picture of all the ingredients needed for this recipe and I’m using a premium Olive oil for this recipe that enhances the flavor of the olive even further.