Description
A flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake featuring tender chicken cutlets layered with fresh zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This easy, wholesome dish is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to make 4 cutlets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 teaspoon instant chicken stock (optional)
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 zucchini, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Place the 4 chicken breast cutlets on a shallow plate and season them with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, instant chicken stock (if using), salt, and black pepper. Ensure the chicken is well coated for full flavor.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the seasoned chicken cutlets to a baking dish. Layer the chopped onion, thinly sliced zucchini, and chopped tomatoes on top of the chicken. Sprinkle additional salt and pepper over the vegetables and drizzle lightly with olive oil to enhance roasting.
- Add Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle shredded Parmesan and mozzarella cheese over the layered chicken and vegetables, creating a cheesy crust that will melt and brown beautifully in the oven.
- Bake and Broil: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. For a golden, bubbly cheese topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Serve the Mediterranean chicken zucchini bake on its own or over cauliflower rice, regular rice, or couscous for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh oregano with dried oregano if fresh is unavailable.
- Instant chicken stock is optional but adds extra depth of flavor.
- Broil the last few minutes carefully to achieve a nicely browned cheese topping without burning.
- Serve with grains like rice or couscous, or keep it low-carb by pairing with cauliflower rice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
