Description
Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake brings together juicy chicken and garden-fresh zucchini in a delightful one-pan meal that’ll make your dinner table sing with Mediterranean flavors. Packed with herbs, cheese, and simple ingredients, this dish comes together quickly for a satisfying weeknight dinner your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
Vegetables:
- 2 zucchini, medium-sized
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Additions:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons basil
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 cup parmesan or feta cheese, grated or crumbled
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Season 4 chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon each of oregano, basil, and thyme, plus salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice 2 medium zucchini into thin rounds, creating uniform circles for even cooking.
- Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil with 3 minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a separate bowl.
- Toss zucchini slices in the olive oil mixture, adding remaining herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in the center of the prepared baking dish.
- Spread herbed zucchini slices evenly around the chicken in a single layer.
- Bake uncovered at 375F for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of parmesan or feta cheese over the dish during the final 5 minutes of baking.
- Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with additional fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
- Check chicken thickness to ensure even cooking, gently pounding breasts to uniform size before seasoning.
- Fresh herbs make a significant difference, so select vibrant, fragrant herbs from your garden or local market.
- For a low-carb version, replace zucchini with other Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant or bell peppers.
- When checking chicken temperature, use a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part for accurate results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg