Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake is a simple, healthy, and flavorful one-dish meal that combines tender chicken breasts with fresh zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, all seasoned with fragrant Mediterranean herbs and topped with melty mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Seasonings & Others
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for the chicken and vegetables.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and half of the dried oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder. Place the chicken breasts in the center of the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the vegetables: Arrange the zucchini slices, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion evenly around the chicken in the baking dish. Drizzle everything with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining herbs and garlic powder. Toss gently to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If the chicken or vegetables start to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil to prevent over-browning.
- Add cheese topping: In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken and vegetables. Return to the oven until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired. Slice the chicken and serve it alongside the roasted vegetables for a wholesome Mediterranean meal.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella with feta cheese for a tangier Mediterranean flavor.
- Use other vegetables like bell peppers or eggplant if desired.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning and olive oil for 30 minutes before baking.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- This dish pairs well with a side of quinoa, brown rice, or crusty bread.
