Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake

🍗 Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake

🇬🇷 Description

This Mediterranean-style baked chicken and zucchini dish features vibrant vegetables, aromatic herbs, and melted cheese — all baked together in a single pan. It’s healthy, simple, and bursting with sunny coastal flavors.

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🧺 Ingredients (Serves 4)

Main ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced into ½ cm (¼-inch) rounds

• 2 chicken breasts (about 500 g / 1 lb), cut into bite-size pieces

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 small red onion, sliced thin

• 2–3 medium tomatoes, sliced (or 1 can diced tomatoes, drained)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Herbs & spices:

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp thyme or rosemary

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

• Juice of ½ lemon

Topping:

• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella or feta cheese (or a mix)

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)

• 8–10 black olives, sliced

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

   • Set your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly oil a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the chicken

   • In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

   • Sear briefly in a hot skillet (2–3 minutes per side) until lightly browned but not fully cooked. Set aside.

3. Layer the vegetables

   • In the prepared baking dish, arrange half of the zucchini slices as the base layer.

   • Add half the tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions.

   • Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of herbs.

   • Add the browned chicken evenly across the layer.

   • Top with the remaining vegetables and garlic.

4. Add the toppings

   • Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle the remaining herbs.

   • Top with mozzarella (or feta), Parmesan, and sliced olives.

5. Bake

   • Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the top is golden and bubbly.

   • If you like a crispier top, broil for the last 2–3 minutes.

6. Finish & serve

   • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

   • Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with couscous, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up the juices.

• Add a side of Greek yogurt or tzatziki for a cooling dip.

• Pairs beautifully with a chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp rosé.