Ingredients
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon salt, divided
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2 lemons (1 cut into 8 wedges and deseeded, 1 juiced)
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1 tablespoon paprika
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2 teaspoons ground cumin
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 teaspoon ground ginger
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1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 (10-ounce) jar Castelvetrano olives, pitted (reserve juice)
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add sliced onion and garlic. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and sauté for 4–5 minutes, or until softened and lightly golden.
Step 2: Build the FlavorStir in the juice of one lemon, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and ginger. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
Add the chicken broth and reserved olive juice. Bring to a gentle boil.
Step 3: Add the ChickenSeason the chicken breasts with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and add them to the skillet.
Add the lemon wedges and olives to the pan.
Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 25–35 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 4: ServeTransfer chicken to a serving platter and spoon the onions, olives, and sauce over the top.
Serve warm with rice, couscous, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
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Chicken Option: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts for a richer flavor.
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Olive Swap: Green olives are traditional here, but black olives or stuffed olives can be used for a different twist.
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Spice Variation: Substitute ground coriander for cumin if needed.
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Smoky Depth: Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for added richness.
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Fresh Lemon Best: Fresh lemon juice provides the brightest flavor, but bottled can be used in a pinch.
How Kids Can Help
🥄 1. Measure & Mix Spices
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Have kids measure out the paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and ginger into a small bowl.
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Let them help mix the spices (with adult supervision) — this builds math skills and sensory fun with smells!
🍋 2. Wash & Tear Lemon Wedges
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Kids can help wash the lemons and tear or gently squeeze lemon wedges (older kids can help cut with a kid-safe knife).
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Ask them to remove any seeds they find — tiny chefs feel proud doing this! 🌟
🧅 3. Sort & Prepare Ingredients
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Give children the bowl of olives and let them sort them (e.g., by size or color if using different types).
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They can also help peel or snap the ends off garlic cloves.
🍗 4. Hands-On Tossing
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Place chicken, olives, onions, spices, and lemon in a large bowl or pan.
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Let kids gently toss everything with a spoon or their hands (washed, of course). Mixing ingredients makes them feel part of the action!
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