Description
Whip up a quick, low‑fat chicken zucchini bake that’s packed with veggies and flavor—perfect for a wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced (about 2 cups)
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼‑inch rounds (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup low‑fat mozzarella, shredded
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13‑inch baking dish with a light spray of olive oil.
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss the diced chicken with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, and the minced garlic.
- Sauté the chicken in a skillet over medium heat with the tablespoon of olive oil until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Transfer to the prepared dish.
- Add the veggies: Layer the sliced zucchini and cherry tomatoes over the chicken. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Top with cheese: Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the vegetables.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden and the zucchini is tender.
- Finish: Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil if desired.
- Serve hot, perhaps with a side of quinoa or a light green salad.
Notes
- Use a sharp knife to slice zucchini evenly; this ensures uniform cooking.
- For extra moisture, drizzle a splash of low‑fat milk over the veggies before baking.
- If you like a crisp top, broil for the last 2 minutes—watch closely!
- Keep the oven door closed during baking to maintain even heat.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken zucchini bake healthy