Chicken Zucchini Bake Recipe

Chicken and zucchini make for a classic combination—light, healthy, and satisfying. The Chicken Zucchini Bake is an easy and flavorful one-pan meal that incorporates juicy chicken breasts, tender zucchini, and a savory mix of spices, herbs, and cheese. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, preparing for a meal prep session, or hosting a casual get-together, this bake is a fantastic choice. It’s packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and can be customized to suit various tastes.

In this guide, we will break down the process of making this delightful dish, providing tips, tricks, and suggestions to elevate the recipe even further. From preparing the chicken and zucchini to assembling the casserole and baking it to perfection, this step-by-step guide will ensure that you create a delicious meal every time.

Why Chicken Zucchini Bake?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore why Chicken Zucchini Bake is such a popular dish:

• Healthy and Low Carb: Zucchini is low in calories and carbs, making it an excellent addition to a healthy, balanced meal. Chicken is a lean source of protein, perfect for maintaining muscle mass or for weight management.

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• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses only a few ingredients that are easy to find in any grocery store, making it cost-effective and perfect for last-minute meal preparation.

• Versatility: The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. You can add other vegetables, change up the spices, or substitute different types of cheese based on your preferences.

• Meal Prep-Friendly: It’s easy to make this dish ahead of time, and it holds up well in the refrigerator for a few days. It can also be frozen for later use.

Instructions for Chicken Zucchini Bake

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature allows the chicken to cook evenly while also giving the zucchini time to soften and soak up the flavors of the seasonings.

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or non-stick cooking spray to ensure that nothing sticks to the pan during baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Breasts

1. Trim the Chicken Breasts: If needed, trim any excess fat or skin from the chicken breasts. You can also pound them slightly to ensure they cook evenly.

2. Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (if desired). Rub the seasonings into the chicken for even coverage.

Step 3: Slice the Zucchini

1. Slice the Zucchini: Cut the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick slices. You can either slice them into rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference.

2. Season the Zucchini: Place the zucchini slices in a separate bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 4: Layer the Dish

1. Place the Chicken: Lay the seasoned chicken breasts at the bottom of the prepared baking dish in a single layer.

2. Layer the Zucchini: Scatter the zucchini slices evenly over the chicken breasts. You can arrange them in a slightly overlapping pattern for better presentation.

3. Add Optional Ingredients: If you’re using cherry tomatoes, scatter them over the zucchini for added sweetness and color.

Step 5: Add the Cheese

1. Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the zucchini and chicken. Make sure each piece of zucchini is covered with cheese.

2. Add Parmesan: Finish the cheesy layer by sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the mozzarella.

Step 6: Bake the Chicken Zucchini Bake

1. Cover with Foil: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to help the chicken cook through without drying out.

2. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes.

3. Uncover and Continue Baking: After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once the Chicken Zucchini Bake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This gives the juices time to redistribute in the chicken, ensuring it stays moist and tender.

Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and added flavor. Serve the dish directly from the baking dish with a side of crusty bread, rice, or a fresh salad.

Customization Ideas

While this Chicken Zucchini Bake recipe is delicious as-is, there are many ways to customize it based on your preferences or what you have on hand.

• Add Other Vegetables: Feel free to include other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to add more texture and flavor to the dish.

• Different Cheeses: Use cheddar, provolone, or goat cheese instead of mozzarella and Parmesan for a different flavor profile.

• Gluten-Free Option: This recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, if you want to make the dish heartier, you can add a layer of gluten-free breadcrumbs on top of the cheese for added crunch.

• Herbs and Spices: Experiment with other herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano for a more complex flavor. You can also swap the garlic powder and onion powder for fresh garlic and onions for a more robust taste.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Zucchini Bake

1. Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. Make sure to check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid this.

2. Avoid Soggy Zucchini: Zucchini releases water as it cooks, which can sometimes make the dish soggy. To help mitigate this, be sure to drain excess moisture from the zucchini before layering it in the baking dish.

3. Let It Rest: Letting the dish rest after baking will allow the juices to redistribute, which helps keep the chicken moist.

4. Use Bone-In Chicken for More Flavor: If you prefer bone-in chicken, you can use bone-in chicken breasts or thighs. They will add more flavor to the dish, but they may take a little longer to cook.

Conclusion

The Chicken Zucchini Bake is a versatile, healthy, and delicious meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a meal prep option. By combining the juicy chicken with tender zucchini and melty cheese, you’ll have a comforting yet light dish that’s sure to please. Experiment with different flavors and customize the recipe to suit your taste—there’s no wrong way to enjoy this tasty bake.

We hope you enjoy preparing and savoring this dish as much as we do!

Yield: 4

Chicken Zucchini Bake Recipe

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Chicken and zucchini make for a classic combination—light, healthy, and satisfying. The Chicken Zucchini Bake is an easy and flavorful one-pan meal that incorporates juicy chicken breasts, tender zucchini, and a savory mix of spices, herbs, and cheese. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, preparing for a meal prep session, or hosting a casual get-together, this bake is a fantastic choice. It’s packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and can be customized to suit various tastes.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 medium zucchinis (sliced into rounds)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or fresh basil and oregano)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  
• Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
  
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken breasts for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown (they don’t need to be fully cooked yet as they will continue baking in the oven).
  

2. Prepare the Zucchini:

• In a separate bowl, toss the zucchini rounds with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  

3. Assemble the Bake:

• In a baking dish (around 9x13 inches), layer the seared chicken breasts, followed by the zucchini rounds around the chicken.
  
• Pour the heavy cream (or milk) evenly over the chicken and zucchini.
  
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top, covering everything with a cheesy layer.
  

4. Bake:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C) and the zucchini is tender.
  
• If the cheese on top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the dish with foil and remove it for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  

5. Garnish and Serve:

• Once out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
  
• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot!

Notes

• For a lighter version, you can swap heavy cream for a low-fat version or use Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
• You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or onions to the bake for more flavor and color.
• To make this dish a one-pan meal, feel free to add some cooked quinoa or rice on the side!