Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake is a vibrant, wholesome one-pan meal combining juicy boneless chicken thighs with fresh zucchini, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Infused with herbs like oregano, thyme, and paprika, it captures the colorful flavors of the Mediterranean in a simple, comforting bake perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Vegetables
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Extras & Seasonings
- ⅓ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled (substitute dairy-free feta if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the dish evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure good browning. Season them generously with salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and paprika on both sides for a flavorful crust.
- Assemble Ingredients: In a large baking dish, arrange the sliced zucchini rounds, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, minced garlic, and kalamata olives. Drizzle the olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the vegetables, then toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Chicken: Nestle the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the vegetable mixture in the baking dish, ensuring even spacing for thorough cooking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender.
- Add Feta Cheese: In the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the chicken and vegetables to allow it to warm and slightly melt.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then serve warm as a complete, healthy meal.
Notes
- This dish is a convenient one-pan meal requiring minimal prep and cleanup.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the feta cheese with a plant-based feta alternative.
- You can add other Mediterranean favorites like artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers for extra flavor.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through by checking with a meat thermometer for best results.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
