Marry Me Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini (Printable)
Tender chicken and zucchini baked with Mediterranean herbs and cheeses for a flavorful main dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 - ½ 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 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
15 - ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
17 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. 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 until softened, then add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
04 - Add zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until zucchini is just starting to soften.
05 - Stir in spinach and cook until just wilted. Remove skillet 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 the dish rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil leaves and serving.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- The creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes creates this incredible richness that feels restaurant-quality but comes together in under an hour
- Everything bakes in one dish so you get maximum flavor with minimal cleanup
02 -
- Dont skip searing the chicken first, it creates depth of flavor you cant get from baking alone
- The baking time depends on your dish, shallow dishes cook faster than deep ones
03 -
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version that still feels indulgent
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning so it gets a proper golden sear