Italian Chicken with Zucchini
This Italian Chicken with Zucchini recipe is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful dish combining tender boneless skinless chicken breasts with fresh zucchini and classic Italian seasonings. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or any time you want a satisfying and healthy dinner with minimal cleanup and kid-friendly taste.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Proteins
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra as needed)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes or hot paprika (for a spicy twist)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the zucchini into half-moons. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and mince the garlic finely to maximize flavor release during cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Generously season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs to infuse the meat with flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Zucchini and Garlic: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed then toss in the zucchini and minced garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the zucchini is tender yet still crisp, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.
- Combine and Finish: Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the zucchini. Cook together for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired, then remove from heat and serve warm.
Notes
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to allow proper searing and better texture development.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can be added at the end of cooking for extra aroma.
- Avoid overcooking zucchini to maintain a slight crunch and prevent mushiness.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to keep it tender and juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Italian chicken, zucchini recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken dish, one-skillet recipe