Creamy Chicken Zucchini Bake Comfort Food Made Easy

Recipe Introduction

Fancy a cracking casserole?

Ever find yourself staring blankly into the fridge, wondering what to conjure up for dinner? Well, let me introduce you to the Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe that's about to become your new best mate in the kitchen.

This isn't just any old dish. It’s a creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting hug in a bowl.

A Slice of History & Flavour

This Chicken Zucchini Bake Casserole is proper American comfort food with a twist. Casseroles have been around for yonks, traditionally a way to use up leftovers.

We're taking it up a notch with fresh zucchini and tender chicken. Perfect for any night of the week. This is a Quick Chicken Zucchini Dinner if you use pre-cooked chicken.

It takes about 55- 60 minutes.

This recipe makes enough for about 6-8 people.

Why This Casserole Rocks

Honestly, one of the best bits is how easy it is to sneak in some extra veggies. Zucchini is packed with vitamins, so you can feel a bit less guilty about the cheese.

Serve this Creamy Chicken Zucchini Casserole on a chilly evening, or when you need a bit of comfort. What makes this recipe truly special is how adaptable it is.

Now, let's get down to brass tacks and see what you need to whip up this absolute belter of a casserole. Ready? This is going to be fun.

Creamy Chicken Zucchini Bake Comfort Food Made Easy Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (approx. 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium zucchini, diced (approx. 4 cups)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (473ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (113g) sour cream
• 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided (3/4 cup + 1/4 cup for topping)
• 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided (2 Tbsp + 2 Tbsp for topping)
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch, optional)

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned on all sides (doesn't need to be cooked through). Remove chicken and set aside.
• In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add zucchini and bell pepper and cook until slightly tender.
• Melt butter in the same skillet. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until thickened.
• Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, and 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese. Add chicken and vegetables to the sauce and stir to combine.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs (if using).
• Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:350-450

Fat:20-30g

Fiber:Not available

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Started!

Right then, let's talk grub! We're diving into this Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe. honestly, I think it's a right proper treat. It's like a warm hug on a plate, you know?

Main Ingredients for the Win

Here’s the shopping list. Don't skimp on quality, especially for the chicken.

• Chicken Breasts: 1.5 lbs (680g). Get good quality, boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml). Any good olive oil will do the trick.
• Yellow Onion: 1 medium , chopped (about 1 cup ).
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is always best.
• Zucchini: 2 medium , diced (about 4 cups ). Fresh zucchini makes all the difference.
• Red Bell Pepper: 1 , diced (about 1 cup ).
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon , dried.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (plus to taste).
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (plus to taste).
• Butter: 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted.
• All-Purpose Flour: 1/4 cup (30g).
• Whole Milk: 2 cups (473ml).
• Sour Cream: 1/2 cup (113g).
• Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup (113g), shredded (divided).
• Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup (30g), grated (divided).
• Panko Breadcrumbs (Optional): 1/4 cup

Spice Up Your Life: Seasoning Notes

Seasoning is where the magic happens! The Italian seasoning brings that classic taste. For a Shredded Chicken Casserole Healthy , be generous with the herbs.

• Italian Seasoning: A must-have.
• Salt and Pepper: Always season to taste.
• A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional): Adds a nice kick.

Want a different flavour? Try a dash of smoked paprika! It adds a lovely depth.

Gear Up: Equipment Needed

You don't need fancy kit for this Chicken Zucchini Bake Casserole. Keep it simple, yeah?

• Large skillet or Dutch oven: For cooking the chicken and veggies.
• 9x13 inch baking dish: The star of the show!
• Mixing bowls: For easy prep.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Gotta be precise.

Don't have a Dutch oven? A large frying pan will do the job.

So there you have it, you know? Now, go and get cooking, you'll smash it! The finished Chicken Zucchini Casserole With Stove Top tastes really great and remember to enjoy every single bite.

Creamy Chicken & Zucchini Bake: Comfort Food Made Easy

Right, let's talk comfort food. I mean proper comfort food. This Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe ticks all the boxes.

It’s like a warm hug in a dish! Perfect for a chilly evening, or honestly, any time you need a bit of a pick-me-up.

I've tweaked it over the years so it is now a Shredded Chicken Casserole Healthy and yummy.

Prep Steps: The "Mise en Place" Lowdown

First things first, the mise en place . Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? It just means getting everything prepped before you start.

Chop your onion, garlic, zucchini and red pepper. Dice your chicken. Measure out your ingredients. Honestly, it makes the whole process so much smoother.

Think of it as your kitchen therapy session before the actual cooking begins! Safety-wise, always wash your hands and use a clean chopping board for the chicken.

Step-by-Step: Let's Get Cooking!

1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Add your 1.5 lbs of chicken , seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon salt , 1/4 teaspoon black pepper , and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning . Brown the chicken on all sides. Don't worry about cooking it through completely, it'll finish in the oven. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, sauté your 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until soft. Add your 2 diced zucchini and 1 diced red bell pepper . Cook until slightly tender.
3. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour and cook for 1 minute . Gradually whisk in 2 cups of milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup sour cream , 3/4 cup cheddar cheese , and 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese . Add the chicken and vegetables. Stir it all together.
5. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish . Top with the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese , 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese , and 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional) .
6. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 35- 40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
7. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving. This helps it set.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Casserole Game

Don’t overcook the zucchini! Soggy zucchini is a casserole's worst enemy. Cook it until just slightly tender . Another tip: shred your own cheese.

Pre-shredded cheese often has additives that prevent it from melting properly. And if you want to make it a Chicken Zucchini Bake Casserole ahead of time, assemble it, cover, and refrigerate.

Then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

This Chicken and Vegetable Casserole Recipe is great for meal prepping too! You can easily double the recipe and freeze half for later.

Or, if you're looking for Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes , this is pretty simple. This Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser! Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Okay, so you're ready to dive into the Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe, and I'm buzzing with excitement to share some extra nuggets of wisdom with you.

Think of this as insider tips to make your Chicken Zucchini Bake Casserole experience absolutely stellar. Honestly, these little tweaks and tidbits can seriously elevate your dish.

Serving It Up Right: Plating & Pairing

Right, let’s talk presentation. Plating is key. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs will work wonders, so don't be shy.

This Chicken and Vegetable Casserole Recipe is great with a crisp side salad to cut through the richness. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is just the ticket.

If you are feeling fancy, a slice of warm crusty bread is delish.

Storing Leftovers (If There Are Any!)

Listen up. You can pop any leftover Creamy Chicken Zucchini Casserole into the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure it's in an airtight container, yeah? If you want to freeze it, portion it out first.

Then, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. When reheating, you can add a splash of milk if needed to bring back the creaminess.

Just ensure the internal temperature reaches 165° F ( 74° C) before serving.

Mixing Things Up: Variations

Fancy a change? How about a spicy kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes will make it even better. If you're going low-carb, try swapping the breadcrumbs for cauliflower rice.

It still gives you that nice texture. What about Zucchini And Squash Meals ? It's easy to substitute the zucchini for yellow squash.

To adapt it to a Shredded Chicken Casserole Healthy , use fat-free sour cream.

Nutrition Lowdown

Okay, let's keep it simple. This Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe is packed with protein from the chicken. It's also got vitamins and fiber from the zucchini and bell peppers.

You're looking at around 350-450 calories per serving. Plus, you get a good dose of calcium from the cheese. A total win-win!

Give this Quick Chicken Zucchini Dinner a go, and don't be afraid to experiment! Cooking should be fun, not stressful.

I promise this Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe is pretty much foolproof! And that Baked Chicken and Zucchini Dish will be a winner, winner, chicken dinner.