Description
This Easy Baked Chicken and Zucchini recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to enjoy a healthy meal. Tender chicken breast pieces are marinated with aromatic spices and olive oil, mixed with fresh zucchini and onion, then baked until perfectly cooked. It’s a perfect dish for a nutritious weeknight dinner served alongside quinoa or rice.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped into large pieces
- 1 zucchini, sliced vertically into four large pieces, then chopped
Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and vegetables.
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, mix together the garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cumin, sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and extra virgin olive oil until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the ingredients: Add the bite-size chicken pieces, chopped onion, and chopped zucchini into the bowl with the marinade. Toss everything carefully to coat all pieces evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, to deepen the flavors.
- Bake: Transfer the marinated chicken and vegetables into a baking dish and spread out evenly. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the baked chicken and zucchini hot, ideal when paired with fluffy quinoa or buttery rice for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken and vegetables overnight.
- You can substitute zucchini with summer squash or bell peppers for variation.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
