Here’s a delicious recipe for Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake that combines the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean with the heartiness of a chicken and vegetable casserole.
Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake
Ingredients:
- 2 large zucchinis, sliced into rounds
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt, pepper, half of the oregano, and half of the basil. Toss to coat.
- Prepare Chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the remaining olive oil, oregano, basil, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Layer in Baking Dish: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the vegetable mixture on the bottom. Layer the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables. Add the can of diced tomatoes evenly over the chicken. Top with the remaining vegetables.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Add Toppings: Remove the foil and sprinkle the kalamata olives, feta cheese, and Parmesan cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve warm as a main dish. This bake pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread.
Tips:
- For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the olive oil and spices for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- You can substitute the chicken with turkey or make it vegetarian by using chickpeas or another plant-based protein.
- Adjust the spices to your taste preference.
Enjoy your Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake!
