Description
A vibrant and healthy Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake featuring tender chicken breasts baked with colorful vegetables, Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of tangy feta cheese, all infused with aromatic herbs and garlic. Perfect for a wholesome, flavor-packed dinner that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Toppings
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect baking temperature when you begin cooking.
- Prepare Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried basil, salt, and pepper to create a fragrant and flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and coat them thoroughly, ensuring the herbs and garlic evenly cover the meat for maximum flavor.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts strategically in a baking dish, allowing enough space around each piece for even cooking.
- Toss Vegetables: Using the same bowl, toss sliced zucchinis, chopped red and yellow bell peppers, chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives with any remaining marinade to dress the vegetables well.
- Combine in Dish: Spread the vegetable mixture evenly around the chicken breasts in the baking dish, creating a colorful and appetizing presentation.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil to retain moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the chicken and vegetables to cook through gently.
- Add Feta Cheese: Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top of the chicken and vegetables, adding a rich and tangy layer.
- Bake Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C) and vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Serve: Serve the Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake hot with lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over the dish for a fresh burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking; pound them gently if necessary.
- Substitute feta with goat cheese for a different tangy flavor.
- Use fresh herbs if available, adjusting quantity to taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of feta and olives to avoid over-salting.
