Description
A Mediterranean-inspired Garlic Lemon Chicken and Zucchini Bake that combines bright lemon, aromatic garlic, and nutritious zucchini in one simple, oven-baked meal. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 lemons (juice of both plus zest of one)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare ingredients by cubing chicken, slicing zucchini and onion, and mincing garlic.
- In a large bowl, create the marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until evenly coated. Let sit for at least 5 minutes (or up to 30 minutes). Meanwhile, lightly oil a 9×13 inch baking dish and layer zucchini and onion slices on the bottom, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Arrange marinated chicken over the vegetables, pouring any remaining marinade over the top. Add chicken broth around the edges of the dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and crumbled feta before serving.
Notes
- Cut chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- For juicier results, swap chicken breasts for thighs.
- You can replace zucchini with yellow squash or eggplant.
- For a dairy-free option, omit feta or replace with nutritional yeast.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking for juicier chicken.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 325
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
Keywords: garlic lemon chicken, zucchini bake, mediterranean chicken, healthy dinner, one-pan meal, easy chicken recipe