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When I want a crowd-pleaser that's loaded with veggies but doesn't need me to hover, this cheesy chicken zucchini bake saves the day. It's full of juicy chicken, melty cheese, and plenty of baked zucchini all bubbling together. Everyone always digs in happily.
After my mother-in-law surprised me with her zucchini stash, I started testing this out. It turned into a favorite so fast I now double it for freezer meals.
Tasty Ingredients
- Olive oil: for rubbing around your baking dish and giving the whole meal extra flavor pick extra virgin with a nice smell
- Mozzarella cheese shredded: makes things gooey and rich go with whole milk if you love it creamy
- Grated Parmesan cheese: want real flavor buy a wedge and grate it so it’s super salty and fresh
- Cream cheese softened: smoother blending if you let it sit on the counter a bit
- Medium zucchinis sliced: adds a gentle flavor and keeps things moist heavier and firm means better zucchini
- Cherry tomatoes halved: provides bright pops between bites search for glossy ones that look lively
- Salt and pepper to taste: helps pull together all the flavors at the end
- Shredded cooked chicken: for easy prep go rotisserie if you don’t have leftovers it’s super quick
- Fresh basil for garnish optional: makes your meal pop and taste fresh use dark green leaves if you want extra color
- Italian seasoning: packs in those classic herbal flavors choose a store mix or blend oregano basil thyme at home
- Garlic powder: gives it that savory, cozy vibe check it’s not dusty and old
Simple Instructions
- Cool and Top:
- After it’s out of the oven, let it sit awhile so it sets. Throw fresh basil on so it feels like you made something fancy. Scoop out big spoonfuls while it’s still steamy.
- Pop it in the Oven:
- Put the dish center-stage in your oven. Bake for a good 25 to 30 minutes—you want bubbling cheese and soft zucchini.
- Add the Topping:
- Pour your chicken and veggie mixture into the buttery pan. Spread it everywhere and dump on a heavy layer of Parmesan for that epic cheesy finish.
- Oil that Pan:
- Swipe a 9 by 13 inch or 23 by 33 cm dish with some olive oil. Makes cleanup easier and adds a little flavor.
- Combine in Bowl:
- Get a big bowl. Dump in everything: chicken, zucchinis, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, cream cheese, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, pepper. Mix until it’s creamy and tastes good in every scoop.
- Crank Up the Oven:
- Heat your oven hot—190 C or 375 F. This gets you a browned cheesy top and smooth cooking throughout.
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What keeps me coming back? Those bites of cherry tomato that burst in the cheesy middle. And there’s always squabbling for the crispy cheese edges around here.
Keep It Fresh
To store, cool everything down then pack into a sealed container for the fridge—good for up to four days. If freezing, scoop into servings, wrap them tight, then stash for later. Microwave or toss in the oven to reheat, comes back just as tasty.
Swap Ideas
Swap in rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey if you’d like. No cream cheese? Greek yogurt makes it just as creamy. Out of mozzarella? Try Monterey Jack or provolone instead.
How to Serve
Pair this with a crunchy salad or spoon over warm quinoa when you’re extra hungry. Goes great with a cold glass of white wine—or fizzy water with lemon if that’s more your style.
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Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep my cheese bake from getting watery?
Give the zucchini a sprinkle of salt, let it chill for a bit, then blot off the moisture before tossing it in the mix.
- → Can I swap in different cheeses?
Go for cheddar if you like, or even mix in some ricotta for a creamy touch that still melts well.
- → What's an easy way to shred the chicken for this dish?
Use rotisserie or poached chicken. Tear it apart with two forks, or grab a hand mixer for small shreds in seconds.
- → Do the veggies cook evenly together?
Chop zucchini into even slices so they soften up at the same pace. Nestle everything into the cheesy mix so each bite is cooked right.
- → How should I warm up leftovers?
For best results, cover and put it back in the oven at 160°C (325°F) until it's nice and hot, or zap portions in the microwave.