Description
A delightful and easy-to-make chicken zucchini bake, featuring tender chicken, fresh zucchini, aromatic spices like smoked paprika and cumin, and fresh herbs, served with rice for a simple and wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 medium zucchinis, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
- 2 cups cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Dice the zucchinis and onion, and mince the garlic.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage.
- Stir in the diced zucchini to the skillet with the chicken mixture. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the zucchini to start softening slightly.
- Transfer the entire chicken and zucchini mixture from the skillet into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the zucchini is tender.
- Once out of the oven, let the Easy Chicken Zucchini Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro or parsley and an optional sprinkle of extra smoked paprika. Serve hot with 2 cups of cooked rice.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Chicken Zucchini Bake, Easy Chicken Recipe, Healthy Dinner