Description

This Chicken Zucchini Bake is a hearty, flavorful dish combining tender chicken, sautéed zucchini and mushrooms, and a creamy cheese blend baked to golden perfection. It’s an easy, comforting casserole perfect for weeknight dinners, delivering a deliciously cheesy and savory experience with Italian herbs and fresh scallions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

12 oz shredded mozzarella (3 cups)
1 cup cottage cheese (drained)
4 scallions, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp Italian herb blend
Salt and pepper, to taste

Main Ingredients

2 tbs olive oil (or butter)
1½ lbs chicken breasts, cubed and salted
24 oz mushrooms, sliced thick
2 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons
2 tbs grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Lightly oil a 9×13″ baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, drained cottage cheese, chopped scallions, beaten eggs, Italian herb blend, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
Cook Vegetables and Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté the sliced zucchini and mushrooms, seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. After a few minutes, add the cubed, salted chicken breasts and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken turns golden and is mostly cooked through.
Drain and Combine: Transfer the cooked mixture from the skillet to a colander to drain any excess liquid. Then, return the drained chicken and vegetables to the cheese mixture bowl, tossing gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, patting it down to form an even layer. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30–40 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
Rest and Serve: After baking, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the bake set and makes serving easier.

Notes

You can substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
To reduce sodium, adjust the amount of added salt according to taste and use low-sodium cottage cheese.
Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrition and flavor.
For a crispier top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: chicken zucchini bake, cheesy chicken casserole, zucchini and mushroom bake, Italian herb chicken bake, baked chicken casserole