Here’s a light and flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake — tender chicken, zucchini, tomatoes, and olives baked with herbs and a touch of cheese. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner!
🍗 Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional: splash of lemon juice or a few sun-dried tomatoes for extra tang.
Instructions
1. Prep the chicken
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and half of the dried herbs.
- Lightly sear chicken in a hot skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil for 2–3 minutes per side (optional — adds color).
2. Prepare the vegetables
- In a large bowl, toss zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olives, onion, and garlic with remaining olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Assemble the bake
- Place chicken in a lightly greased baking dish.
- Arrange vegetable mixture around and on top of the chicken.
- Sprinkle feta over the top.
4. Bake
- Bake 25–30 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) and vegetables are tender.
- Optional: broil 2–3 minutes for extra browning on top.
5. Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Serve with quinoa, rice, couscous, or a side salad.
Tips & Variations
- Add Mediterranean flavors: Sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers.
- Low-carb version: Keep it as is; zucchini replaces starch.
- Cheese options: Swap feta for goat cheese or shredded mozzarella.
- Meal prep: Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge and reheats beautifully.
I can also give you a one-pan Mediterranean chicken zucchini casserole or a creamy tomato Mediterranean chicken bake version if you want.
