Description
Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake with juicy chicken, flavorful herbs, tangy tomatoes, and creamy feta. A delicious crowd-pleaser with a Mediterranean twist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 medium zucchini (about 1½ pounds/680g), sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 pint (300g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup (170g) crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup (10g) fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Slice the zucchini into ¼-inch thick rounds, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion. Mince the garlic cloves and set everything aside.
- Step 2: Season the Chicken In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme, paprika, and half of the minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the chicken pieces, add a generous pinch of salt and pepper, and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate while you prepare the vegetables.
- Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables In a large bowl, combine the zucchini rounds, cherry tomato halves, and sliced red onion. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and lemon juice, then add the remaining oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, then toss gently to coat all the vegetables evenly.
- Step 4: Assemble and Bake Spread half of the seasoned vegetables in an even layer in your prepared baking dish. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces over the vegetables. Top with the remaining vegetables, distributing everything evenly. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 425°F.
- Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish Baking After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Carefully remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the vegetables are tender.
- Step 6: Garnish and Serve Once done, remove your Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute and flavors to settle. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy this complete one-pan meal while still warm!
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups
- Calories: 390 calories per serving
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 23 grams
- Saturated Fat: 7 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 10 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 37 grams
- Cholesterol: 120 mg