Can I prepare this Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake in advance?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours before baking. Simply cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and add 5-7 minutes to the covered baking time.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace the chicken with two cans of drained, rinsed chickpeas or 14 ounces of extra-firm tofu cut into cubes. The cooking time will reduce by about 10 minutes.

Will this recipe work with frozen vegetables?

Fresh vegetables provide better texture and flavor, but in a pinch, thawed frozen vegetables can work. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture and reduce cooking time by approximately 5 minutes.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Definitely! This dish maintains excellent quality for 3-4 days refrigerated and reheats beautifully. Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Simply omit the feta cheese or substitute with a dairy-free alternative. The dish will still deliver robust Mediterranean flavors from the herbs, spices, and olives.

How spicy is this dish?

This recipe is mild and family-friendly. For additional heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the vegetable mixture or serve with hot sauce on the side.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Chicken thighs make an excellent substitution and often result in more tender results. The cooking time remains the same, but the flavor will be slightly richer.

What's the best way to check if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point. If you don't have a thermometer, cut into the largest piece—it should be completely opaque with no pink remaining.

Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake

Name: Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes; 3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds; 1 large red onion, thinly sliced; 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh basil for garnish

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
2 bell peppers (red and yellow), chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, toss chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, half of the minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon each of thyme and rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
In a separate bowl, combine zucchini slices, red onion, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes with remaining olive oil, garlic, herbs, and spices. Toss until evenly coated.
Layer half the vegetables in the baking dish, arrange the seasoned chicken on top, then add remaining vegetables.
Scatter kalamata olives over the top layer.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and lemon juice.
Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

This Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake combines fresh vegetables, lean protein, and classic Mediterranean herbs for a healthy, flavorful one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 320
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 410mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: mediterranean chicken, zucchini bake, healthy dinner, one-pan meal, gluten-free dinner, low carb recipe, meal prep, weeknight dinner, mediterranean diet, chicken casserole