Description
Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake delivers a quick, satisfying dinner that comes together faster than you can order takeout. Packed with fresh zucchini, tender chicken, and bold Mediterranean herbs, this one-pan meal makes weeknight cooking a breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ red onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cut 2 chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Slice 2 zucchinis into half-moon shapes. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes.
- Mix chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, ½ red onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the mixture. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Toss all ingredients until seasonings coat everything evenly. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Spread ingredients in a single layer across the dish. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.
- After 25 minutes, check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F. Confirm vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the top. Return to oven for 5 additional minutes.
- Watch cheese melt and become golden and bubbly. Remove from oven when cheese looks perfectly melted.
- Chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley. Scatter parsley over the dish for a bright, fresh garnish.
- Serve immediately while hot, directly from the baking dish for a rustic presentation.
Notes
- Cut zucchini into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best flavor and tenderness in this Mediterranean-inspired bake.
- For a low-carb version, replace the cheese with nutritional yeast or skip the cheese topping entirely to reduce calories.
- Swap chicken for firm tofu or white beans if preparing a vegetarian alternative that keeps the Mediterranean flavor profile intact.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 278 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 423 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg