Description
Diving into Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake reveals a simple, hearty dinner that brings Mediterranean flavors straight to your kitchen table. Layers of juicy chicken, tender zucchini, and aromatic herbs create a delightful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 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 375°F and generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Slice 2 chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Cut 2 zucchinis into half-moon shapes and add them to the chicken.
- Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes and thinly slice ½ red onion, then combine with the chicken and zucchini.
- Mince 2 garlic cloves and sprinkle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the mixture.
- Dust the ingredients with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Thoroughly toss the ingredients until each piece is evenly seasoned.
- Transfer the seasoned mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
- Scatter ½ cup mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese across the top.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 27 minutes.
- Check that chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley over the hot dish before serving.
Notes
- Select fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the most tender results in this Mediterranean-style dish.
- Slice zucchini and vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the bake.
- Experiment with different herbs like oregano, thyme, or za’atar to personalize the Mediterranean flavor profile.
- For a low-carb version, replace cheese with nutritional yeast or skip cheese entirely to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 to 3
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 470 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg