High Protein Chicken Zucchini Bake (Printable View)

Golden chicken layers with crisp zucchini, creamy yogurt sauce, and bubbly cheese topping.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Chicken & Seasoning

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
06 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Vegetables

07 - 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy & Eggs

10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
12 - 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese, divided
13 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

→ Other

14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for greasing
15 - Fresh parsley or basil for garnish, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with olive oil.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Toss chicken pieces in the spice mixture until well coated.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
04 - Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and Greek yogurt until smooth. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
06 - Return seared chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with onion and garlic mixture. Remove from heat.
07 - Layer half of the sliced zucchini in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the chicken-onion mixture over the zucchini. Pour half of the yogurt-egg mixture evenly on top.
08 - Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese.
09 - Repeat with remaining zucchini slices, chicken mixture, yogurt-egg mixture, and finish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
10 - Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
11 - Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
12 - Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It sneaks in vegetables without feeling like a salad, so even picky eaters go back for seconds.
  • The Greek yogurt keeps everything creamy and tangy while boosting protein without heavy cream.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, making lunch prep effortless.
  • You can assemble it in advance and bake it right before dinner, which saved me on more than one hectic weeknight.
02 -
  • Don't skip the searing step; that golden crust on the chicken adds flavor you can't get from baking alone.
  • If your zucchini is very wet, salt the slices lightly and let them sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry with a towel to avoid a watery casserole.
  • Let the bake rest the full 5 minutes or the yogurt layer will run when you cut into it.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline to slice the zucchini uniformly so they cook evenly and look prettier in the layers.
  • If the top isn't as golden as you'd like, turn on the broiler for the last 2 minutes but watch it closely so the cheese doesn't burn.
  • Taste the yogurt mixture before layering; a little extra salt or a squeeze of lemon juice can make all the difference.
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