Marry Me Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini (Printable)
Tender chicken with zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs in a flavorful creamy bake, full of Mediterranean taste.
# Ingredient List:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)
06 - 2.6 oz baby spinach
→ Dairy
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 3.5 oz crumbled feta cheese
09 - 2.5 oz grated mozzarella cheese
10 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry & Condiments
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 tsp dried basil
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
17 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and sauté for 4–5 minutes until lightly golden but not cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil. Sauté onion for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
04 - Add zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 3–4 minutes until zucchini is just starting to soften.
05 - Stir in spinach and cook until just wilted. Remove from heat.
06 - In a bowl, combine heavy cream, oregano, basil, chili flakes (if using), half the feta, and half the mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper.
07 - Arrange sautéed vegetables and chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish. Pour cream mixture evenly over the top.
08 - Sprinkle with remaining feta, mozzarella, and all the Parmesan cheese.
09 - Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the top is golden and bubbling.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil and serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes creates that restaurant-quality depth that usually takes hours to achieve
- Everything bakes in one dish while the zucchini releases just enough moisture to keep the chicken impossibly tender
- The topping of three cheeses gets perfectly golden and bubbly, making each bite feel like a special occasion
02 -
- Dont skip the step of searing the chicken first because that golden exterior creates depth of flavor you cannot achieve by baking alone
- Letting the dish rest for those 5 minutes seems insignificant but it makes the difference between a runny sauce and a luscious creamy coating
03 -
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels before seasoning to get a much better sear
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-grated because it melts so much better