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Easy Chicken Zucchini Bake Recipe

3.8 from 82 reviews

This Easy Chicken Zucchini Bake is a delicious and healthy casserole that combines tender zucchini slices, shredded cooked chicken, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s packed with Italian flavors from garlic powder and Italian seasoning, baked to bubbly, golden perfection, and garnished with fresh basil or parsley for a beautiful finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced

Protein

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

Dairy

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Sauces & Seasonings

  • 1 cup marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Other

  • Olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)
  • Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Grease Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Layer Zucchini: Place the sliced zucchini evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish as the first layer.
  4. Add Chicken & Season: Spread half of the shredded cooked chicken over the zucchini. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for flavor enhancement.
  5. Add Sauce & Cheese: Spoon half of the marinara sauce on top of the chicken, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly.
  6. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini, chicken, sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese for a cheesy finish.
  7. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and the zucchini to soften.
  8. Uncover and Bake: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown for a deliciously crisp top.
  9. Cool and Garnish: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use pre-cooked chicken to speed up preparation time.
  • You can substitute mozzarella with another melting cheese like cheddar or provolone.
  • For a spicier variation, add red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
  • Ensure even slicing of zucchini for uniform cooking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.

Keywords: Chicken zucchini bake, healthy chicken casserole, baked zucchini recipe, easy chicken dinner, Italian chicken bake