Description
Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake brings tender chicken and fresh veggies together in one delicious, wholesome dish that sings with Mediterranean flavors. Packed with herbs, zucchini, and lean protein, this simple dinner comes together quickly for a satisfying meal your family will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ red onion
- 2 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) 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
Cheeses and Garnish:
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your baking dish by lightly coating it with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Slice 2 zucchinis into half-moon shapes and cut 2 chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces measuring roughly 1-inch cubes.
- Chop ½ red onion into thin strips and halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes. Mince 2 garlic cloves finely.
- Combine chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, onion, and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Sprinkle the vegetable-chicken mixture with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and optional ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Toss ingredients thoroughly to ensure every piece gets coated with seasonings and oil.
- Transfer the seasoned mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Scatter ½ cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) internal temperature and cheese turns golden.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley over the baked dish before serving warm.
Notes
- Fresh zucchini provides the best texture, so choose firm, bright green vegetables without soft spots or blemishes.
- Drain the zucchini after grating to prevent excess moisture from making the dish watery and losing the baked casserole’s structure.
- Season generously with herbs like oregano and basil to capture authentic Mediterranean flavor profiles without overwhelming the chicken.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute breadcrumbs with almond meal or gluten-free panko crumbs and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 355 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg