Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake – Bright, Flavorful, and Comforting

Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake is a cozy, all-in-one dish filled with tender chicken, juicy zucchini, tomatoes, and classic Mediterranean flavors. Everything bakes together in one pan with garlic, herbs, and a sprinkle of cheese on top, giving you a colorful, wholesome meal that’s both comforting and fresh.

This recipe layers seasoned chicken with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, onion, and olives, then bakes it all in a light, garlicky olive oil and herb mixture. A little crumbled feta or shredded mozzarella on top turns it into a bubbling, golden bake that’s perfect with rice, couscous, or crusty bread.

Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a simple family dinner, this Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake delivers big flavor with minimal effort—and it looks as good as it tastes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Light but Satisfying – Lean chicken and lots of veggies make it filling without feeling heavy.
Mediterranean Flavor – Garlic, herbs, olives, and tomatoes add brightness and depth.
One-Pan Convenience – Everything bakes together in a single dish.
Versatile Serving – Great with rice, pasta, couscous, or just on its own.

Ingredients

For the Mediterranean Chicken Zucchini Bake:

• 1 ½ lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 can diced tomatoes, drained)
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives or mixed olives, halved
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil (or Italian seasoning)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½–¾ tsp salt, to taste
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For Topping:

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (or shredded mozzarella for a melty top)
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• Extra lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (or similar) baking dish with olive oil.

Season the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl.
Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add salt, pepper, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, and thyme.
Toss until the chicken is evenly coated in the seasoning.

Add the Vegetables
Add sliced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and minced garlic to the bowl with the chicken.
Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and lemon juice.
Toss everything together until the vegetables and chicken are well coated.

Assemble the Bake
Transfer the chicken and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Spread everything out in an even layer so it bakes evenly.

Bake
Bake uncovered at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C) and the zucchini is tender.
If there is extra liquid in the dish, you can bake for an additional 5 minutes to reduce slightly.

Add the Cheese
Sprinkle crumbled feta (or shredded mozzarella) and Parmesan (if using) evenly over the top.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 5–8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.

Serve
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil.
Serve warm on its own or over rice, couscous, quinoa, or with crusty bread.

Nutritional Information

(Approximate per serving, 1 of 4)

• Calories: ~380
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Sugar: 5g
• Fiber: 3g

Tips for Success

Cut Evenly – Keep chicken pieces roughly the same size for even cooking.
Don’t Overbake – Check around 25 minutes so the chicken stays juicy and the zucchini doesn’t get mushy.
Adjust the Salt – Feta and olives are salty, so go lighter on salt at first and adjust to taste.
Customize the Veggies – Add bell peppers, cherry peppers, or spinach for extra color and nutrients.

Why This Recipe Works

Baking the chicken with zucchini, tomatoes, and olives in one dish lets all the flavors mingle—herbs, garlic, and lemon infuse everything as it cooks. The chicken stays tender in the moist environment of the bake, while the vegetables become soft and flavorful without turning to mush if you watch the timing.

A sprinkle of cheese at the end adds richness and tang, balancing the brightness of the lemon and herbs. It’s a full meal in one pan with protein, vegetables, and big Mediterranean flavor—simple enough for weeknights but special enough to serve guests.