Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake Recipe
A flavorful and healthy Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and classic Mediterranean herbs, all baked to perfection with a cheesy topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Protein 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 Oils
- Olive oil (for greasing and drizzling, about 2-3 tablespoons)
- 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)
Cheeses and Garnish
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces), sliced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and minced garlic.
- Season: Drizzle the mixture with olive oil and sprinkle in dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble: Spread the seasoned mixture uniformly in the prepared baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Add Cheese: Top the mixture evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
- Initial Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to cook the chicken and soften vegetables.
- Final Bake: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top before serving to add color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Use fresh oregano and basil if available, increasing the amounts to 1 tablespoon each for a more vibrant flavor.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted based on preferred spice level.
- For a lower-fat version, reduce the amount of cheese or use part-skim mozzarella.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken bake, zucchini chicken casserole, healthy chicken bake, cheesy chicken zucchini dish
