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Easy One-Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini: A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

Are you constantly searching for quick, delicious, and healthy weeknight dinner ideas that genuinely satisfy the whole family? Look no further! This Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini recipe is a true lifesaver, designed for those busy evenings when you want a homemade meal without the fuss or extensive cleanup. Imagine juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken and tender, caramelized zucchini, all cooked together in a single skillet, ready to serve in under 20 minutes. It’s the ultimate solution for a flavorful, stress-free meal.

My philosophy for dinner on a busy schedule revolves around simplicity and maximum flavor. Overly complicated recipes often deter us from cooking at home, but this dish proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something extraordinary. With minimal prep and a straightforward cooking process, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal that everyone will rave about. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile, easily adaptable for low-carb diets or adjusted to suit your family’s preferences. For another delightful and easy chicken dinner recipe, consider this fantastic Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini for a truly effortless weeknight meal, bursting with the best seasonings and succulent chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini Recipe

This savory Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a smart choice for modern households. Here’s why it will quickly become a cherished part of your meal rotation:

Incredibly Fast: From the moment you start prepping to the first bite, this meal is typically on your table in less than 20 minutes. This makes it an absolute winner for those particularly hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. You won’t find yourself waiting around for a complicated dish to finish.
One-Pan Wonder: The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Everything, from searing the chicken to sautéing the vegetables and melting the cheese, happens in a single skillet. This significantly cuts down on cleanup time, allowing you to enjoy your evening instead of scrubbing pots and pans.
Packed with Irresistible Flavor: The harmonious blend of aromatic garlic, rich and savory Parmesan cheese, and a classic mix of Italian seasonings infuses both the chicken and the zucchini with an extraordinary taste. It’s a flavor profile that is both comforting and sophisticated, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Healthy & Wholesome: This dish is a fantastic source of lean protein from the chicken, combined with the vital nutrients provided by fresh zucchini and yellow squash. It’s a well-balanced and healthy option that you can feel good about serving to your family, contributing to a nutritious diet without sacrificing taste.
Easily Adaptable and Versatile: Whether you’re adhering to a low-carb diet or catering to specific tastes, this recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can effortlessly swap out the zucchini for other seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or cherry tomatoes, or pair it with various sides to create a completely different meal experience.
Guaranteed Family Favorite: Its straightforward yet robust flavors make this Garlic Parmesan Chicken a universal hit. Both adults and children tend to adore this dish, often leading to empty plates and requests for seconds. It’s a reliable crowd-pleaser that minimizes dinner-time negotiations.

This fantastic chicken mixture is so beloved, you can even find a version of it in my cookbook on page 192, proving its enduring appeal and deliciousness!

Essential Ingredients for Your Skillet Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini

Crafting this flavorful one-pan meal requires only a handful of fresh ingredients and common pantry seasonings. Each component plays a vital role in building the rich, savory profile of the dish. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:

Chicken: As the star of our recipe, you’ll need approximately 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken. Both chicken breasts and chicken thighs are excellent choices. Cubed chicken breasts are leaner and cook quickly, achieving a tender texture. Chicken thighs, on the other hand, offer a richer, more succulent flavor and remain incredibly juicy throughout the cooking process. Choose based on your preference or what you have readily available.
Seasonings: A carefully chosen blend of spices elevates the chicken and vegetables from simple to spectacular. You’ll need:
- Salt and Black Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are crucial for enhancing and balancing all the other flavors. Season generously to your personal taste, making sure to distribute them evenly.
- Italian Seasoning: This aromatic blend typically includes dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. It provides that quintessential Mediterranean warmth and depth that is central to the dish’s flavor profile.
- Garlic Powder: Delivers a concentrated, savory garlic kick without the need for mincing fresh garlic, which is a fantastic time-saver for a quick weeknight meal.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle, sweet, and pungent depth that beautifully complements the garlic, contributing to the overall savory goodness.
Oil: We’ll use oil to effectively sear the chicken to a golden crisp and to properly sauté the vegetables. Olive Oil is my top recommendation due to its robust flavor and health benefits, but any neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable oil or canola oil will also work perfectly.
Butter: Just 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter is added when the vegetables are cooking. This small addition is impactful, helping the zucchini and squash caramelize beautifully and adding a luscious, rich depth to the entire dish. If you only have salted butter, simply remember to adjust (reduce) the amount of additional salt you use in the recipe to prevent over-seasoning.
Vegetables: The fresh, vibrant components that round out this one-pan meal. You will need one medium zucchini and one yellow squash, both diced into manageable pieces. These summer squash varieties cook quickly, soak up all the savory seasonings, and contribute a wonderful tender-crisp texture and appealing color contrast to the finished dish.
Cheese: The star ingredient that truly defines “Parmesan” in our dish! About ⅓ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is absolutely essential. Its salty, nutty, and umami-rich notes melt down to form a delicious, cheesy coating for both the chicken and the vegetables. Opt for a good quality Parmesan, as it significantly enhances the flavor and melt-factor.

How to Prepare This Quick & Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini Skillet

This recipe is a testament to how simple steps can lead to incredibly flavorful results. Designed for efficiency, you’ll achieve a delicious meal with minimal fuss. Follow these straightforward instructions:

Sear the Seasoned Chicken: Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, sturdy skillet or pan over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add your cubed chicken (whether breast or thigh). Liberally season the chicken with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder, adjusting amounts to your personal taste preference. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is perfectly golden brown on all sides and thoroughly cooked through with no pink remaining. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and transfer it to a clean plate, setting it aside.
Sauté the Garden-Fresh Vegetables: Using the exact same pan—there’s no need to wash it, as the residual flavors will only enhance the vegetables—add an additional 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Allow the butter to melt and become fragrant. Then, introduce the diced zucchini and yellow squash to the pan. Season these vibrant vegetables with a pinch of salt, pepper, and another dash of Italian seasoning. Cook the vegetables, stirring frequently, for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Your goal is for them to become tender-crisp, with a lovely golden-brown char, indicating they’ve begun to caramelize beautifully.
Combine and Melt the Cheese: Now, return the pre-cooked chicken back into the pan with the tender, sautéed zucchini and squash. Generously sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the entire mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine all the ingredients, allowing the heat from the pan and the food to melt the Parmesan. The cheese will create a creamy, savory coating that binds everything together, taking only a minute or two.
Serve and Savor: As soon as the cheese is melted and fully incorporated, your Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini is ready! Transfer the piping hot dish to individual plates and serve immediately. Prepare to enjoy an incredibly quick, satisfying, and flavor-packed meal that truly tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Enjoy every savory bite!

Smart Storage for Leftover Garlic Parmesan Chicken

If you’re lucky enough to have any of this delectable Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini leftover, proper storage is key to enjoying it later. Ensure the dish cools completely to room temperature before transferring it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, and it will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. While the chicken and vegetables may lose a bit of their initial crispiness upon reheating, the incredible flavors will still be wonderfully present. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, which can help revive some texture. Alternatively, the microwave works for a quicker reheat, though it might make the chicken softer. A small splash of water or broth during reheating can prevent it from drying out.

Expert Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Meal Every Time

Choosing the Right Chicken for Dinner Tonight:

For this quick and easy one-pan dish, raw boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into uniform 1-inch cubes, is an excellent option as it cooks quickly and evenly. However, if you prefer a richer flavor and a slightly more tender, moist texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used interchangeably. If you have frozen chicken, it’s crucial to pull it out a day or two ahead of time and allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator. Never attempt to cook the chicken directly from a frozen state, as this will lead to uneven cooking and potentially dry results. For an even faster meal, you can substitute the raw chicken with 2-3 cups of cooked rotisserie chicken. In this case, simply shred the rotisserie chicken, then sear it briefly in the pan with the seasonings for just a couple of minutes to infuse flavor before continuing with the rest of the recipe as directed, adding it back in with the vegetables at the final step.

Enhancing the Flavor Profile and Customizations:

While the provided seasoning blend is fantastic and perfectly balanced, don’t hesitate to personalize it to your taste. For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the Italian seasoning can provide a subtle, welcome kick. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish can significantly brighten the flavors and add a zesty finish. For a truly superior flavor and smoother melt, always opt for freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents. If you want to make this a truly healthy chicken recipe, especially for the summer months, consider adding other seasonal vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, or even cherry tomatoes, adjusting cooking times as necessary for doneness.

Making it Low Carb or Keto-Friendly:

This recipe is naturally low in carbohydrates, making it an excellent choice for those following a low-carb or keto diet, particularly when served on its own or with a fresh side salad. To maintain its low-carb status, avoid serving it with traditional high-carb sides like rice or pasta. If you’re missing the crunch of breading but want to stay low-carb, you can lightly coat the chicken pieces in a mixture of finely ground pork rinds or almond flour combined with the spices before searing. This creates a delicious, crispy crust without adding significant carbs. Pairing this dish with another green veggie or a vibrant salad, such as my Caprese Salad (which, despite its cheesy nature, is a fantastic low-carb accompaniment), will keep your meal healthy and satisfying.

What to Serve with Your Versatile Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini

This versatile skillet dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, allowing you to customize your meal based on your preferences or dietary needs for a truly satisfying experience.

Hearty Grains: For a more substantial and comforting meal, consider serving this flavorful chicken and zucchini over a bed of fluffy white rice. While white rice offers quick preparation, brown rice is also a nutritious option, providing additional fiber, though it will naturally extend your overall meal preparation time. Other wholesome grains like quinoa or pearl couscous also make excellent and satisfying accompaniments.
Classic Pasta: A simple side of pasta, such as spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine, lightly tossed with a drizzle of olive oil or a knob of butter, can transform this chicken dish into a hearty, Italian-inspired dinner that’s perfect for colder evenings.
Freshly Baked Bread: There’s nothing quite like using a warm, crusty piece of bread to soak up all those delicious, cheesy pan juices and savory remnants. My Easy One Hour Dinner Rolls or my Garlic Pull Apart Rolls are perfect choices, especially if you, like me, are always looking for delightful ways to incorporate even more garlic into your life (lol!).
Extra Vegetables or a Crisp Salad: To maintain a light and low-carb profile, or simply to add more vibrant greens to your plate, serve this dish alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, some simply steamed broccoli florets, perfectly roasted asparagus spears, or a refreshing Caprese Salad. The Caprese salad, with its fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil, offers a bright, fresh, and delightfully cheesy low-carb side that wonderfully complements the rich flavors of the main dish.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Make and Enjoy

If you’re a devoted fan of easy-to-prepare, flavorful chicken dishes, be sure to explore some of my other popular and highly-rated recipes. These options are perfect for expanding your weeknight dinner repertoire and discovering new family favorites:

Chicken Broccoli Rice ($5 Dinner) – A budget-friendly and satisfying meal that combines protein, vegetables, and rice in one comforting dish.
Southwest Chicken Wraps – Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, packed with vibrant Southwest flavors.
Chicken Tacos – A fun, customizable, and endlessly popular choice for taco night any day of the week.
Barbecue Orange Chicken – A delightful fusion of tangy orange and smoky barbecue flavors that’s sure to impress.

5 from 1 vote

Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini Recipe

By:

Julia Pacheco

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken is your ultimate lifesaver on a busy weeknight. Enjoy cheesy chicken and perfectly caramelized zucchini, all conveniently made in one skillet for minimal fuss!

Prep:

5 minutes

Cook:

15 minutes

Total:

20 minutes

Servings:

4
servings

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Ingredients

▢

1
lb
chicken breasts,
cubed
▢

salt
▢

pepper
▢

Italian seasoning
▢

garlic powder
▢

onion powder
▢

3
tbsp
olive oil,
divided
▢

1
tbsp
butter
▢

1
medium
zucchini,
diced
▢

1
yellow squash,
diced
▢

⅓
cup
grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chicken, cut into cubes, and season thoroughly with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder to your preference. Cook the chicken until it is fully cooked through and golden brown, then remove it from the pan and set aside.
To the same pan, add 1 tablespoon more olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the pan is hot and the butter is melted, add in the diced zucchini and yellow squash. Season them with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to your liking. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Return the cooked chicken to the pan and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken and vegetables. Stir gently to ensure the cheese melts and coats everything beautifully. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful meal!

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Nutrition

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I sincerely hope this Easy One-Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini becomes a new, cherished staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s a wonderful testament to how simple, fresh ingredients, when combined thoughtfully and cooked efficiently, can create a truly memorable and satisfying meal without demanding hours of your precious time. Give it a try soon, and you’ll quickly understand why it’s such a beloved and highly-rated favorite!

If you give any of these delightful chicken recipes a try, including this quick skillet meal, please make sure to tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking. We absolutely love seeing your culinary creations and hearing all about how much you enjoyed the recipes and made them your own!