This low calorie chicken recipe has become a quiet favorite in my kitchen. Baked chicken and zucchini sounds simple, right? It is—but it’s also the kind of meal that surprises you with how good simple can taste. The chicken breast stays juicy, the zucchini roasts until it’s golden and tender, and everything gets just the right touch of seasoning. I’ve made this on rushed weeknights when the last thing I want is a pile of dishes. One pan. No fuss. And no standing over a stove while dinner cooks. Sometimes I toss in cherry tomatoes or red onions if I have them. Other times, I double the batch so we have leftovers for lunch. If you’re hunting for baked chicken breast recipes or boneless skinless chicken breast recipes that don’t taste like cardboard, you’re in luck. This one is cozy, filling, and fits right into any plan for low calorie meals or calorie controlled meals. And hey, if you’ve been playing around with air fryer recipes chicken-style, this one transitions well too. You’ll want to keep it on your shortlist of healthy chicken recipes that don’t feel like a diet.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Baked Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Baked Chicken and Zucchini
- 4) How to Make Baked Chicken and Zucchini
- 5) Tips for Making Baked Chicken and Zucchini
- 6) Making Baked Chicken and Zucchini Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Baked Chicken and Zucchini
- 8) Try these chicken recipes next
- 9) Baked Chicken and Zucchini
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Hi, I am Kathy from Simply Cooked Recipes at https://www.simplycookedrecipes.com. This weeknight favorite keeps flavor high and effort low. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes show up big here. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes fit tight schedules and calm hungry people fast.
The chicken cooks juicy. The zucchini roasts soft with light char. A short list turns into a full plate that feels bright and clean. Healthy Chicken Recipes meet comfort head on here.
One pan helps with clean up. Heat the oven, season well, slide in the dish. You get steady results and a meal that loves add ins. Think lemon zest or fresh herbs. Baked Chicken Breast Recipes do not need fuss to taste great.
2) Easy Baked Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
I made this after a long day when my brain felt like a drawer of tangled cords. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes saved me twice that week and I did not hear a single complaint at the table. The first bite tasted clean and warm. The second bite sealed the deal. We now keep this in steady rotation.
The method stays simple by design. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes often swing dry. Here they stay tender with a light oil rub and even heat. The zucchini cooks beside the chicken so dinner lands together. Low Calorie Meals still bring plenty of joy when you treat each part with care.
I like a squeeze of lemon for lift and a sprinkle of parsley for color. A small bowl of yogurt with garlic makes a fast sauce. If you cook for kids, keep a little grated cheese on standby. This low calorie chicken dinner sits on rice or with a green salad and both work well.
3) Ingredients for Baked Chicken and Zucchini
Chicken breast I use four pieces that weigh about the same so they cook at the same pace. The mild flavor lets the seasoning shine and keeps this low calorie chicken meal steady and friendly.
Zucchini Two medium squash sliced into half moons cook fast and turn tender with a light golden edge. They soak up garlic and herbs and still keep a fresh bite.
Olive oil A modest drizzle helps the spices cling and protects the lean meat. Use just enough to coat. We stay in the lane of Calorie Controlled Meals and still get good texture.
Garlic powder Warm and savory, it seasons both chicken and zucchini without burning. I reach for this when time runs tight and fresh cloves feel like a hurdle.
Italian seasoning A small shake brings herbs into every bite. Think oregano and basil. The blend keeps flavor balanced and bright.
Paprika A soft smokiness and a gentle color boost. It adds depth without heat and plays well with lemon.
Salt and pepper Simple and steady. Season both sides so the chicken tastes like more than sauce. Taste and adjust after roasting.
Parsley Fresh chopped leaves add a clean finish. If parsley is out, try chives. The goal is a pop of green that wakes up the plate.
4) How to Make Baked Chicken and Zucchini
Step 1 Heat the oven to two hundred degrees Celsius or four hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Place a rack in the middle for even roasting. Set out a large baking dish.
Step 2 Toss the zucchini with a spoon of oil, a pinch of garlic powder, a shake of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Spread in the dish so the slices do not crowd. Space helps browning.
Step 3 Rub the chicken with the rest of the oil. Season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Lay the pieces on the zucchini so juices baste the squash.
Step 4 Roast for twenty five to thirty minutes until the thickest part reaches seventy four degrees Celsius or one hundred sixty five degrees Fahrenheit. For more color place under the broiler for two minutes and watch close.
Step 5 Rest the chicken for five minutes. Finish with lemon and parsley. Serve with the pan juices over rice or with a leafy salad for a complete low calorie chicken idea.
5) Tips for Making Baked Chicken and Zucchini
Dry the chicken with paper towels so the oil and spices cling well. Thin parts cook fast, so tuck the tips under for even results. Healthy Chicken Recipes start with small steps like this.
Use a large pan so the zucchini can roast and not steam. If the slices sit too close they soften without color. A little space gives you those golden edges that taste sweet and nutty.
Check temperature near the end. Pull the dish when the chicken hits the safe mark. Juicy meat carries a meal and keeps Low Calorie Meals from feeling flat.
6) Making Baked Chicken and Zucchini Ahead of Time
I prep the zucchini in the morning and keep it chilled in a sealed box. I season the chicken just before cooking so the meat stays springy. This plan keeps texture on point and flavor bright.
You can roast the dish, cool it, and store it for later. Reheat in a hot oven for ten minutes so the edges perk up. A quick squeeze of lemon brings back lift.
For lunches, slice the chicken and pack with cooked rice and a handful of greens. This low calorie chicken meal travels well and tastes good hot or room temp.
7) Storing Leftover Baked Chicken and Zucchini
Place leftovers in an airtight box and chill for up to three days. Keep the chicken whole if you can. Sliced meat dries faster.
Reheat in the oven at one hundred eighty degrees Celsius or three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit until warm. A skillet with a splash of water also works in a pinch. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep texture firm.
Leftovers make fast wraps with yogurt sauce or stack well over greens. This approach keeps Calorie Controlled Meals simple and steady through the week.
8) Try these chicken recipes next
9) Baked Chicken and Zucchini
Low Calorie Chicken Recipes: Baked Chicken and Zucchini Dinner
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half moons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a large baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced zucchini with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, half the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly in the baking dish.
- Rub the chicken breasts with the remaining olive oil and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Place the chicken breasts on top of the zucchini in the dish.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the zucchini is tender.
- If you’d like a bit of browning, broil for the last 2–3 minutes—watch closely so nothing burns.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
10) Nutrition
Serving size one chicken breast with a good scoop of zucchini. Calories about two hundred ninety. Protein about thirty grams. Carbs about six grams. Fat about fourteen grams. Fiber about two grams. Sodium about three hundred milligrams. Numbers shift with the size of the chicken and the oil you add. The balance fits Low Calorie Chicken Recipes and supports steady energy for the evening.
Notes for gear lovers. An instant read thermometer turns guesswork into calm cooking. A large sheet pan works as well as a baking dish. If you want to try a new tool, the same mix cooks well in the basket and makes quick Air fryer recipes chicken.
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