Description
A simple and healthy baked chicken and zucchini recipe that combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with lightly spiced, Parmesan-coated zucchini slices. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner and requires only basic ingredients and minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Vegetables & Toppings
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature for baking.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Wash and pat dry the chicken breasts thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and paprika.
- Place Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Zucchini: Wash the zucchinis under cold running water, trim off both ends, and slice them into thin rounds about 1/4-inch thick.
- Season Zucchini: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the zucchini slices and toss to coat evenly. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Arrange Zucchini: Place the seasoned zucchini slices around the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over both the chicken breasts and zucchini slices for added flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and zucchini is tender.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken’s internal temperature is 165°F (75°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the chicken and zucchini.
- Serve: Serve the baked chicken and zucchini immediately alone or with your choice of side dish.
Notes
- Make sure chicken breasts are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- If zucchinis are large, adjust slices thickness to about 1/4 inch for even tenderness.
- You can substitute Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- For a smoky twist, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the seasoning.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to retain juices.
