Hey there! I’m so excited to share two of my favorite simple dinner ideas with you today, focusing on quick chicken and zucchini recipes. If you’re looking for easy weeknight meals that are big on flavor and use up that fresh zucchini, you’ve come to the right place.
I know how busy life gets, so these chicken and zucchini recipes are designed to be straightforward and delicious for your family, making dinner simple and enjoyable.
Jump to Recipe:
Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Zucchini Bake: A Simple Weeknight Dinner
This easy chicken bake is a real crowd-pleaser and comes together so fast for your dinner. I love how the creamy ranch and crispy bacon make simple chicken and zucchini shine in this dish.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Zucchini Prep: Slice zucchini evenly so it cooks at the same rate. You can also pat it dry a bit to avoid extra water in your bake.
- Bacon Crunch: Cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy before crumbling it. This adds great texture and flavor to the dish.
- Cheese Choice: Feel free to use your favorite shredded cheese, like cheddar or Monterey Jack, for the best melt and taste.
What You Need
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 cups zucchini, sliced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 35 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Get Ready to Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up easier for you.
Step 2: Mix It All Up
In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sliced zucchini, and most of the crumbled bacon. Pour in the ranch dressing and mix gently until everything is coated well. Add half of the shredded cheese and stir again.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Spread the chicken and zucchini mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and the rest of the crumbled bacon. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
📝 Final Note
You can prepare this bake ahead of time and keep it in the fridge before baking. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
Easy Chicken Zucchini Casserole: A Hearty Family Meal
This easy chicken zucchini casserole is pure comfort food that’s simple to make. It’s perfect for using up garden zucchini and feeding a hungry family with one delicious dish.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Zucchini Moisture: If your zucchini has a lot of water, you can lightly salt it and let it sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry before adding it to the casserole.
- Creamy Base: Using a can of cream of chicken soup makes this casserole extra creamy and quick. You can also use cream cheese or sour cream for a similar result.
- Crispy Topping: A mix of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese on top gives a lovely crunch that everyone will enjoy.
What You Need
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 5 cups zucchini, chopped
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or mushroom soup)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Salt and pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 50 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Base
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped zucchini, cream of chicken soup, milk, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Stir everything until it’s well mixed.
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the chicken and zucchini mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. This will be the base of your delicious casserole.
Step 3: Add Topping and Bake
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the casserole. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
📝 Final Note
This casserole tastes even better the next day! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats well in the microwave or oven.
