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Crispy parmesan garlic chicken with zucchini is a fantastic one-pan meal that the family will love. Crispy chicken is breaded with an amazing parmesan garlic crust paired with tender zucchini sautéed to perfection!

With easy prep, no mess, and big flavor, one-pan meals are the best! Vegetable curry, chili lime chicken, and fajitas are some of my other favorites to add to the dinner lineup this week!

Cooked parmesan garlic chicken and zucchini in a white bowl.

One-Pan Parmesan Garlic Chicken With Zucchini Recipe

Zucchini is my favorite vegetable, so as you can imagine, I get pretty excited when it is actually in season! My favorite way to eat zucchini is to sauté it until tender. I decided to put my favorite textures together in this dish- fresh and tender zucchini with flavorful, crispy chicken. Enhancing these tasty foods with the amazing flavors of parmesan and garlic seemed like the best course of action from there, and boy did it create a mouthwatering dish! It coats the chicken perfectly and gives the whole dish an incredible crispy texture. The awesome thing about this recipe is that I had all of the ingredients on hand. So, for those times when you are staring into the depths of your pantry, wondering what you can make that is tasty, healthy, and not overly time-consuming, this crispy chicken with zucchini recipe is the answer.

My entire family devours it. We cannot get enough of the crispy flavorful crust on the chicken. And the best part of it all? It is packed with protein while also being low in fats and carbs! Honestly, this is like the healthy, KFC-Esque dinner of my dreams. As if you needed more reasons to make this, it all goes in one pan, leaving you with fewer dishes to do! Just 30 minutes will create a nutritious, keto-friendly meal loaded with savory and crispy goodness. Your wallet, diet, and stomach will thank you.

Chicken With Zucchini Ingredients

This is the perfect recipe for using leftover zucchini and chicken breasts! Just a few additional pantry staples with leave you with the most flavorful, delicious result. You can find each individual measurement in the recipe card below.

  • Chicken Breasts: For this recipe, I use boneless and skinless chicken breasts. You can either slice 2 large breasts in half or use 4 thin chicken breasts.
  • Butter: This will be used for sauteing. Also, it gives your chicken and zucchini a tasty rich flavor and helps them to cook up perfectly.
  • Italian Bread Crumbs: I like using Italian bread crumbs for a touch of flavor, but you can also opt for whole wheat bread crumbs to keep it health-conscious.
  • Grated Parmesan: Parmesan is what is going to give your dish its perfect, cheesy flavor. It also crisps up perfectly to help you achieve the best texture!
  • Flour: I use all-purpose flour in this recipe to give structure to the breading. You can also use whole wheat flour as an alternative.
  • Zucchini: I use medium-sized zucchini in this recipe, sliced.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic makes all the difference in getting the perfect, savory flavor. Minced cloves work best.

How To Make Crispy Parmesan Garlic Chicken and Zucchini

You are going to love how easily this recipe comes together for those quick weeknight dinners! You get restaurant-quality flavors without all the effort.

  1. Prepare Skillet: In a large skillet, over medium heat melt 2 Tablespoons of butter.
  2. Bread Chicken: Melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and flour. Dip the chicken in the butter and then coat in the bread crumb mixture and place in skillet.
  3. Cook: Cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes until the outside is crispy and the chicken is cooked throughout. Set aside on plate.
  4. Saute Zucchini: Add 2 Tablespoons of butter back to the skillet and saute the minced garlic for a minute. Add the zucchini to the skillet and saute until tender. Salt and pepper to taste and add 1 Tablespoon parmesan. Add the chicken back to the skillet and heat for a minute or so. Serve immediately.
The process of making chicken and zucchini in a skillet.

Parmesan Garlic Chicken and Zucchini Quick Tips

This dish is super easy and super delicious, but try out some of these simple tips to get the best result every time!

  • Season Chicken: You can season your chicken with salt and pepper or Italian seasoning before breading for an extra pop of flavor.
  • Breading Will Not Stick: If you are having trouble getting your breading to stick, make sure your skillet is hot and butter is melted. Then, once you add your chicken to the pan, try not to move it until that side has cooked completely. Moving it prematurely can pull off all the crispy goodness.
  • Use a Thermometer: To avoid overcooking your chicken, I always recommend using a thermometer. Stop cooking once your internal temperatures reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, you could end up with chicken that is too dry.
  • Zucchini: You will want any zucchini you use to be slightly firm. If it is too soft, it won’t get that perfect tender sautéed texture. Also, keep the skin on! It isn’t hard to bite through and actually has a lot of nutritional benefits like stimulating collagen production and boosting your immune system!
  • Uniform Slices: It is important to try and keep zucchini slices roughly the same size so they cook at the same rate.

Storing Leftover Parmesan Garlic Chicken and Zucchini

Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it also stores like a champ! Kids can easily heat it up for a tasty, nutritious lunch.

  • In the Refrigerator: Chicken and zucchini will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • In the Freezer: In an airtight container, store your chicken and zucchini in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
  • Reheating: The best way to retain moisture in your chicken while also keeping it crispy is to reheat it in a skillet. Cook over medium until internal temperatures reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir zucchini pieces often to ensure they cook through completely.
Close-up of crispy parmesan garlic chicken and zucchini.

What to Serve With Crispy Parmesan Garlic Chicken

Parmesan garlic chicken and zucchini is a dish that can easily be served on its own. But for more healthy carbs, you could serve this up with a scoop of brown rice. It also tastes amazing alongside other crispy foods like fries or chips. Have an overload of zucchini at home? You could even make baked zucchini fries as a healthier side.

Slice cut out of parmesan garlic chicken with zucchini.


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Crispy Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Zucchini

4.78 from 36 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
Crispy parmesan garlic chicken with zucchini is a fantastic one-pan meal that the family will love. Crispy chicken is breaded with an amazing parmesan garlic crust paired with tender zucchini sautéed to perfection!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 Chicken Breasts sliced in half, or 4 thin chicken breasts
  • 8 Tablespoons butter divided
  • ½ cup Italian Bread Crumbs
  • ½ cup plus 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan divided
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 2 medium zucchini sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat melt 2 Tablespoons butter. To make the chicken: Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and flour. Dip the chicken in the butter and then coat in the bread crumb mixture and place in skillet.
  • Cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes until the outside is crispy and the chicken is cooked throughout. Set aside on plate.
  • Add 2 Tablespoons of butter back to the skillet and saute the minced garlic for a minute. Add the zucchini to the skillet and saute until tender. Salt and pepper to taste and add 1 Tablespoon parmesan. Add the chicken back to the skillet and heat for a minute or so. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Updated on August 4, 2021 
Originally Posted on July 24, 2016

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 27gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 532mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 763IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

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About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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247 Comments

  1. I’ve made this recipe twice and both times it has been delicious but my chicken is mushy rather than crispy?? Any suggestions on how to make it crispy??

  2. This is was so delicious that I ended up looking on this website at recipes for about an hour after I ate. I’m looking for another recipe today for dinner!

  3. Hello, A friend shared this recipe with me via Facebook today. I have a quick question, please. You call for grated parmesan. Are you talking the good fresh stuff or the kind from the green top container? Thanks!

  4. I didn’t take a picture because frankly, it did not look as good as the picture posted. BUT. BUT. BUT. I made the recipe just as written and it was delicious! My husband said the chicken was moist and tender with great flavor and the zucchini was the best he ever had! Keeping this recipe in the front of my binder to make many more times! Thank you!!!

    1. That is so great to hear! I am so happy that you all loved it! It is one of my favorites too!! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO

  5. This is one of our favorite dishes but one of my children just got diagnosed with a milk allergy so I can no longer use butter. Do you think coconut oil would work in its place?

  6. as a single person who mostly shops day to day (yay for working by a publix) and for whom big meals would go to waste, i love that this can be so easily scaled down and has a lot of ingredients that keep a while, like garlic and breadcrumbs and flour. i’m not a huge zucchini person, so i plan to substitute breaded and fried avocado slices instead. i’m super excited to make this this weekend, when i have time to cook. and hey, if there’s leftovers, i have a roommate who just bought a grill – we can always arrange a trade 🙂 thank you for your lovely recipes, i’ve been enjoying browsing them a lot!

    1. That is great to hear!! I am so glad they are easy to make and that you are able to change it to your liking! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO

  7. I shredded a slice of Ezekiel bread in mini chopper then added the Parm, and Italian seasonings to replace store bought bread crumbs. Still yum! Oh, also used chicken thighs. Trying to eat more dark meat for vitamin K2. Thanks for the recipe.

  8. I make this often. I cook large rigatoni to serve with this, mix it all together, or serve on the side with more butter and parmesan (call the cardiologist!)

  9. I made this dish or a dinner party and it was delicious. I did slightly change it. I did zucchini noodles and steamed them and put the garlic and butter over them. I defiantly will make this again!

    1. That is great to hear!! I love your idea with the zucchini noodles!! Thank you for sharing!! Xo

  10. First time I made this we loved the concept, but found all the butter made it very greasy, not to mention not exactly healthy. Second time I made it I substituted some milk and egg for the liquid part of dredging the chicken, and used garlic olive oil for the cooking, with the exception of about 1.5 T for sauteeing the squash. Much better!
    Also, I subbed panko and some seasonings for the Italian bread crumbs.
    Served with whole wheat spaghetti coated with a touch more garlic olive oil in which I had sauteed even more garlic.
    Excellent!

    1. So happy you were satisfied and made it your own! Everything you substituted or added sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Your Recipe Critic,
      Alyssa

  11. Just made this with shredded parmesan cheese and I’m pleased to say it’s delicious! There was about half of the breading mix left over so I sauteed the zucchini in it.

    1. That is SO good to hear! I am happy you were able to make it your own! Thanks for sharing! Xo

      Your Recipe Critic,
      Alyssa

  12. I made this tonight, followed the directions exactly, came out perfect. I would not change a thing. Thank you definitely a 5 star.

  13. To make it lower carb, I’m going to try substituting crushed pork rind with Italian seasoning for the Italian bread crumbs.