Once you’ve mixed the chicken and cheeses, add your beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir until it’s well combined. It’s really starting to smell amazing in my kitchen now! Now it’s time to layer: in your greased baking dish, arrange half of the zucchini slices on the bottom. Pour the chicken mixture over this layer, spreading it evenly. Top it with the remaining zucchini slices and sprinkle a little extra mozzarella on top for that melty finish.
Now it’s time to bake! Place your dish in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the chicken is cooked through. As the bake cooks, your kitchen will fill with an aroma that’s simply irresistible. I can hardly wait to dig in!
Pro Tips for Best Results
When I first made this dish, I tested the zucchini in a few different ways. I discovered that slicing them too thick can result in a bit of crunchiness that I didn’t want, so aim for thinner slices for the best texture—trust me! Also, feel free to sprinkle a little bit of your favorite spice blend over the top before baking; I’ve tried Italian herbs and loved the added flavor burst.
Another tip is to let the bake sit for about 5 minutes after taking it out of the oven. Yes, it’s tempting to dive right in, but letting it rest allows the flavors to settle and will make serving so much easier! Finally, I always add a handful of fresh herbs on top right before serving. It brightens the whole dish and brings a pop of color that makes it look as good as it tastes.
I also recommend using high-quality chicken for the best flavor. I’ve experimented with both pre-cooked and raw chicken, and while pre-cooked is faster, the raw chicken gives you that juicy, fresh flavor that truly elevates the dish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I made initially was overcrowding the baking dish. If the zucchini is piled too high, it stews instead of bakes, leading to a soggy bottom. Make sure to spread everything out evenly so that every bite is just as delightful as the last! (See the next page below to continue…)