Description
Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake – A delicious blend of tender chicken, savory Mediterranean spices, and fresh zucchini baked to perfection. Crowd-pleasing comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 medium zucchini (about 1.5 pounds/680g), sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 pint (300g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (75g) kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 4 oz (115g) feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup (10g) fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons (5g) fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep The Ingredients Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place your sliced zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and allow it to drain for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, cut your chicken into even 1-inch pieces and season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, and paprika to create your Mediterranean-inspired marinade.
- Step 2: Layer The BasePat the zucchini dry with paper towels. Arrange the zucchini slices in an even layer on the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Scatter the sliced red onion over the zucchini, then distribute the halved cherry tomatoes throughout. This colorful base will release juices during baking to help flavor the entire Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake.
- Step 3: Add The Chicken And SeasoningsArrange the seasoned chicken pieces evenly on top of the vegetable layer. Pour the prepared olive oil and herb mixture over everything, ensuring it reaches all corners of the dish. Use a spoon to gently toss the ingredients, making sure everything gets coated with those fragrant seasonings. The oil will help conduct heat evenly through your dish while infusing everything with Mediterranean flavors.
- Step 4: Bake To PerfectionCover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. This initial covered bake allows the chicken to start cooking and the vegetables to release their juices. After 20 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the olives and feta cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for another 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Step 5: Finish And ServeRemove your Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This brief rest allows the juices to redistribute throughout the dish. Just before serving, sprinkle the fresh parsley and basil over the top. The heat will gently wilt the herbs, releasing their aroma. Your one-pan wonder is now ready to transport your dinner table to the sunny Mediterranean coast!
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the dish
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 90mg