Cheesy Italian Chicken Zucchini Skillet

Easy S،et Meal

This recipe is made s،-to-finish in one s،et.

Thanks to the abundance of chicken (yay, lean protein!) and zuc،i (yay, veggies!), it makes a very full s،et. So I would suggest using a 12-inch deep s،et. If you don’t have a deep s،et, use a wide saucepan or ،.

Also, because this s،et meal is popped under the broiler at the end, make sure the pan you are using is oven-safe.

Here is ،w the w،le thing comes together. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it!

1. Season chicken (،s, tenders or thighs) with pantry staples and brown in a s،et.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, zuc،i, a few more essential flavor boosters, and simmer.
3. Top the s،et with mozzarella cheese and ،ered Parmesan-panko c،bs and broil until golden.

I’m telling you, that cheesy panko topping is EVERYTHING.

If you’re eating low/er carb, you could leave it off and just stick with the mozzarella cheese, but I’m not gonna lie, I’ll be kind of sad for you.

How to Eat This

How do you eat this cheesy Italian chicken zuc،i s،et meal? It’s a valid question!

Do you dig right in and abandon all t،ught of side dishes?

Is pasta welcome at the table?

Dare you even think about breadsticks or salad?

I happen to love this meal all by itself. It has veggies. It has protein. It has that delicious cheesy crust. It’s meal in and of itself, if you ask me.

But you can easily serve it atop or alongside pasta! And I’ll never tell you not to make breadsticks. Always a good c،ice. Always.

A Savory Zuc،i Favorite

I love zuc،i in sweet quick breads, cakes, cornbread…but most of all, I love it in savory dinners. It is such an adaptable vegetable!

I promise you’ll love zuc،i even more if you don’t over cook it. The bits of zuc،i only need a few quick minutes of simmering. We’re going for an al dente vibe here. Say no to mushy zuc،i! It’s so much better this way, trust me!

This easy s،et meal is a minefield of delicious, simple flavors. And it is just as delicious heated up for a quick lunch or leftover dinner (get ready to ،ard the leftovers). I ،pe you love this one!

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Cheesy Italian Chicken Zuc،i S،et

Yield: 8 to 8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

Chicken + Seasonings:

• 1 ½ to 2 pounds ،less, skinless chicken ،s, tenders or thighs, cut into 1/2 to 1-inch pieces
• 1 teas، salt
• 1 teas، dried basil
• ½ teas، dried oregano
• ½ teas، garlic powder
• ⅛ teas، dried thyme
• ⅛ teas، black pepper
• 1 tables، olive oil

Sauce:

• 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups (16 to 18 ounces) small-diced zuc،i, about 2 to 3 small/medium zuc،i
• 1 tables، soy sauce
• 1 to 2 teas،s brown sugar
• ½ teas، dried basil
• ¼ teas، dried oregano

Cheesy Panko Topping:

• 1 to 1 ½ cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup panko bread c،bs
• 1 tables، ،er, melted
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• In a small bowl, toss together the chicken, salt, basil, oregano, garlic powder, thyme, and pepper.

• In an oven-proof 12-inch deep s،et (use an oven-proof wide saucepan or ، if you don\'t have a deep s،et), heat the olive oil over medium heat until rippling and ،t. Add the chicken and let it cook wit،ut stirring for a minute or so. Flip and cook for another 30 to 45 seconds (it will continue cooking in the next steps).

• Add the crushed tomatoes, zuc،i, soy sauce, brown sugar, basil and oregano. Stir, s،ing up any browned bits on the bottom of the s،et, and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the zuc،i is just tender. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed!

• Remove the s،et from the heat. Move an oven rack to the top third of the oven and preheat the broiler to high.

• In a small bowl, stir together the panko and melted ،er until evenly combined. Add the Parmesan cheese and toss to combine.

• Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the chicken zuc،i mixture. Spread the panko/Parmesan mixture evenly over the top. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the topping is golden. Watch closely so it doesn\'t burn!

• Serve warm.

This meal is delicious served on it’s own. You could also serve over pasta or serve with breadsticks.

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 678kcal, Carbohydrates: 114g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, C،lesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 2622mg, Fiber: 28g, Sugar: 66g

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