One Pan Greek Chicken with Zucchin & Rice

Make dinner super simple with this delicious one-pan chicken zucchini and rice dish!

My one-pan Greek chicken with zucchini and rice is easy to make and bursting with flavor. Everything goes in one pan to bake in the oven, so the rice absorbs all the seasonings and juice from the chicken. The zucchini becomes perfectly tender, and the chicken is crispy on the outside but so juicy on the inside.

Busy weeknights require easy dinners without much fuss, and this dinner requires just a little prep before going in the oven. I love it when I can throw things together and let the oven do the cooking while I’m doing something else. It’s such a time saver, and usually, we can knock homework out completely in that time frame. That’s a win, for sure!

Why will I make this weekly?

Soft, fluffy

Garlicky, lemony,

Herby rice with

Tender zucchini and

Crispy, juicy chicken.

What do I need to make this one-pan meal?

Chicken quarters -bone-in, skin-on chicken works best and has the most flavor.

Olive oil -helps saute the vegetables and add seasoning to the chicken and zucchini.

Onion -finely chopped to flavor every bite of rice.

Cloves -grated to add a sweet and warm spice.

Ground coriander -adds lots of fresh, floral, earthiness.

Salt & freshly cracked black pepper -the duo that enhances all the dish’s flavors.

Long grain rice –or you can substitute Basmati, Jasmine, or Carolina rice.

Chicken broth -or water, but the broth adds so much extra flavor.

Lemon juice -brightens the dish and adds a lemony flavor.

Dried crushed oregano -my favorite herb and it pairs perfectly with the other spices.

Zucchini -sliced into thick rounds

Parsley finely chopped -for garnish and fresh herbiness.

How do I prepare the rice?

Preheat the oven to 400 °F, 200 °C. Rinse the rice and soak it in cool water for 15-20 minutes.

Do I sear the chicken?

Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Brown the chicken on both sides and set aside.

How do I build the flavor before baking?

Reduce the heat to low and add the onion. Cook until soft and golden. Add the garlic and warm through until fragrant. Drain the rice and add it to the skillet (if it is oven-safe) or a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Season with 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, coriander, and oregano. Add the broth and lemon juice and arrange the chicken over the rice.

How do I add the zucchini?

Place the zucchini rounds in a bowl and drizzle some olive oil on top of them. Season with salt, granulated garlic, and pepper. Toss together and arrange them over the rice between the chicken pieces.

How long do I bake the dish?

Bake for about 45 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.

How do I serve one-pan Greek Chicken with Zucchini and Rice?

Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges, and serve with tzatziki and Maroulosalata.

Can I cook the rice before baking?

While the rice can be baked in the oven, it will be fluffier if it is first partially cooked on the stovetop. Drain the rice and add it to the skillet with chicken broth, lemon juice, and seasonings. Mix together and bring to a boil. Then, remove it from the heat. Top with chicken and zucchini and bake for 30 minutes.

Do you have more one-pan meals?

We’re busy. Ha! So, I have a tone of one-pan, one-pot meals on my channel. Try my One-Pan Chicken with Cabbage & Rice, One-Pan Spinach & Rice with Chicken: Greek Spanakorizo with Chicken, Keftedes Youvetsi: One-Pan Baked Meatballs & Orzo, One-Pot Lamb, Spinach & Orzo Stew, and One-Skillet Greek Chicken Recipe with Spinach & Peppers. There are so many that I can’t list them all, so search by category on my blog for One-pan/Pot meals. Let me know your favorites!

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