Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake is a healthy, flavorful, and easy-to-make one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are combined with fresh zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, seasoned with aromatic Mediterranean herbs and spices, then topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, this dish offers a wholesome, comforting dinner with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken & Vegetables
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Mediterranean Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or feta for a Mediterranean touch)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent the ingredients from sticking and to enhance the flavor of the bake.
- Season the Chicken & Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine bite-sized chicken pieces, sliced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, then add all the Mediterranean seasoning ingredients — oregano, basil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Toss everything well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the oil and spices.
- Assemble the Bake: Spread the seasoned chicken and vegetable mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top to create a deliciously cheesy crust after baking.
- Bake the Dish: Cover the dish with foil to retain moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the cheese to become golden and bubbly, and ensures the chicken is fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Serve & Enjoy: Once baked, garnish the dish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm, alongside rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to complete your Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Cut vegetables evenly to ensure they cook uniformly during baking.
- Use fresh herbs if possible to enhance the authentic Mediterranean flavors.
- Don’t overbake to prevent the chicken from becoming dry and losing juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
