Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Bake is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with artichoke hearts, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, all infused with Italian seasoning, garlic, and a tangy balsamic dressing. Finished with crumbled feta cheese, it’s a wholesome meal perfect for a healthy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 20 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast (pounded thin or thin-sliced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Vegetables
- 14 ounce quartered artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 1 large zucchini (sliced and quartered)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
Dressing and Topping
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2–3 garlic cloves (pressed or minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large baking dish or sheet pan lined with foil if desired for easier cleanup. Season them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.
- Add Vegetables: Layer the halved cherry tomatoes, chopped artichoke hearts, and sliced zucchini on top of and around the chicken. Make sure to concentrate the artichokes on top of the chicken so their flavor seeps in during baking. Spread the ingredients out mostly in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Make and Pour Dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, and salt until combined. Evenly pour this dressing over the chicken and vegetables to add moisture and infused flavor throughout.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through – no longer pink inside and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish with Feta: After baking, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top of the chicken and vegetables before serving, adding a creamy and salty finish to the dish.
Notes
- For quicker prep, use thin-sliced chicken breasts or pound thicker breasts evenly.
- Feel free to substitute other Mediterranean vegetables like bell peppers or olives for extra flavor variety.
- Cover with foil while baking if you want juicier chicken, removing foil in the last 5 minutes to brown slightly.
- You can adjust garlic and balsamic vinegar quantities to taste for stronger or milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken bake, baked chicken breast, artichoke chicken, healthy chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe
