Description
A healthy and flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake that combines tender chicken breasts with fresh zucchinis, cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and add extra flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken breasts, sliced zucchinis, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and minced garlic.
- Add Seasonings: Drizzle the mixture with olive oil, then add dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix everything well to evenly coat all the ingredients.
- Arrange in Dish: Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Add Cheese: Top the mixture with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese for a deliciously cheesy crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly and blend the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top before serving to add a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- For extra spice, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- You can substitute mozzarella with a low-fat cheese option for a lighter dish.
- If zucchini is watery, pat slices dry to avoid a soggy bake.
- Use fresh herbs if available for enhanced flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, zucchini bake, healthy chicken recipe, baked chicken and vegetables, easy chicken dinner
