Description
A simple, healthy Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake featuring tender chicken breast, fresh zucchini, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic Mediterranean herbs, baked together with feta cheese for a flavorful, wholesome one-pan meal perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or whole if small
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Thinly slice the zucchinis and cherry tomatoes, dice the red onion, mince the garlic, and cut the chicken breasts into even bite-sized pieces for uniform cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and cook until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken pieces and sauté just until they begin to brown but are not fully cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Assemble the Bake: Transfer the chicken mixture to a baking dish. Layer the sliced zucchini and cherry tomatoes evenly over the top. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and scatter the fresh oregano, basil, and parsley. Drizzle the remaining olive oil across everything to add flavor and moisture.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the assembled dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the vegetables are tender. The cheese should be slightly golden and melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with extra fresh parsley or basil and optionally a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of lemon zest before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like basil and oregano for best flavor instead of dried alternatives.
- Do not overcrowd the pan during sautéing to avoid steaming and ensure even cooking.
- Slice zucchini evenly to ensure uniform cooking time.
- Check chicken internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after baking to enhance flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken bake, zucchini chicken casserole, healthy chicken dinner, one-pan meal, quick chicken bake
