Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will make your easy chicken zucchini bake slightly richer and more flavorful. Just keep the same cooking time and check that they reach 165°F internal temperature.

Why is my zucchini watery?

Zucchini releases moisture as it cooks. To minimize this, don't slice it too thin, and make sure you're not overcrowding the pan. If you have extra watery zucchini, you can salt the slices and let them sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry before using.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything except the cheese, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add an extra 5 minutes to the cooking time since it will be cold from the fridge, then add cheese and finish as directed.

Easy Chicken Zucchini Bake Recipe - Healthy One-Pan Dinner with 35g Protein

Name: Easy Chicken Zucchini Bake - A Simple One-Pan Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; 2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds; 1/2 cup diced red onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Easy Chicken Zucchini Bake – A Simple One-Pan Dinner

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Simple, healthy one-pan dinner with chicken and fresh zucchini. Ready in 40 minutes with 35g protein per serving.

Author: James Carter Jr
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1/2 cup diced red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, zucchini slices, red onion, minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread in an even layer, making sure pieces aren’t piled on top of each other.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the zucchini is tender.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
Return to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the baking dish. Use a larger dish if needed for even cooking.
You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if preferred for richer flavor.
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for 30 minutes before baking.
Add bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for more variety and nutrients.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 285 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/easy-chicken-zucchini-bake/