Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Bake with Zucchini
A cozy, one-pan baked dish with juicy chicken, tender zucchini, and a rich garlic herb cream sauce—comfort food that still feels light and balanced.
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 Chicken & vegetables
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
🥣 Creamy garlic herb sauce
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds depth)
- ½ tsp dried thyme or mixed herbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper, to taste
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prep oven
- Preheat to 190°C (375°F)
- Lightly grease a baking dish
2. Season chicken
- Rub chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning
- Place in baking dish
3. Add zucchini
- Arrange zucchini slices around and between chicken pieces
- Lightly season with salt and pepper
4. Make creamy sauce
- In a pan, melt butter over medium heat
- Add garlic and sauté 30–60 seconds
- Stir in cream, broth, Dijon mustard, and herbs
- Simmer 2–3 minutes
- Stir in Parmesan until smooth
5. Bake
- Pour sauce evenly over chicken and zucchini
- Bake 25–35 minutes until chicken is cooked through
6. Finish
- Optional: broil 2–3 minutes for a golden top
- Let rest a few minutes before serving
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta 🍝
- Pair with crusty bread for dipping
- Add a side salad for freshness 🥗
🔥 Tips
- Slice zucchini thicker so it doesn’t turn mushy
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness
- Add spinach or mushrooms for more veggies
- Don’t overbake or cream sauce may reduce too much
🧄 Why it works
The creamy garlic Parmesan sauce ties everything together—juicy chicken, tender zucchini, and rich herb flavor in every bite.