Chicken and Zucchini Skillet
Chicken and Zucchini Skillet
My favorite meals are the ones that come together from simply looking in the fridge and building something balanced from what I have on hand. That’s exactly how this Chicken and Zucchini Skillet was born. I was looking for a quick, easy dinner that checked my usual boxes — protein and vegetables first — and I happened to have ground chicken, fresh zucchini, and onion ready to use.
Once those hit the skillet, I knew it needed a little more color and flavor, so I stirred in a can of diced tomatoes with basil and oregano. From there, dinner was basically done. I personally like to add a small serving of carbs to make it feel complete, so I made some rice to serve underneath — totally optional, but delicious. My rice cooker makes this part effortless and gives perfectly fluffy rice every time, so it’s one of those kitchen tools I use constantly and highly recommend.
You can serve this ground chicken zucchini recipe over rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or enjoy it on its own as a low-carb meal. I like to finish it with a sprinkle of Parmesan, but any cheese works here. Mozzarella is especially good. If I have time, I’ll pop the skillet under the broiler for a minute or two and let it melt into a bubbly, cheesy topping.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Zucchini Skillet
There are so many reasons this recipe works for our family. Why your family might love this one pot meal:
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- One-pan meal with easy cleanup
- High protein and veggie-packed
- Naturally gluten-free
- Low-carb if served without rice
- Budget-friendly ingredients
- Great for meal prep
If you’re searching for healthy ground chicken recipes or easy skillet dinners, this is exactly the kind of simple meal that makes healthy eating feel doable on a busy night.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This ground chicken skillet recipe uses everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand:
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with basil & oregano
- Cooked rice, for serving (optional)
- Parmesan or other cheese, for topping
TIP: The seasoned diced tomatoes add instant flavor without needing extra sauces or complicated ingredients — one of my favorite shortcuts for quick skillet meals.
How to Make Chicken and Zucchini Skillet
*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page
This chicken zucchini recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step One:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step Two:
Add zucchini and onion. Season with half of the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step Three:
Sauté 3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
Step Four:
Push the veggies to the edge of the pan and add the ground chicken. Season with the remaining salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
Step Five:
Stir in diced tomatoes with juices.
Step Six:
Simmer 5-7 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the veggies are cooked to your desired texture.
Step Six:
Serve over rice and finish with Parmesan or cheese of choice.
Dinner is ready in about 25 minutes, making this a healthy under-30-minute meal.
Healthy Meal Benefits
This healthy chicken and zucchini skillet is a great example of balanced, nutritious comfort food. It combines lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and simple pantry ingredients into a satisfying meal that doesn’t feel restrictive.
Why it’s a healthy choice:
- Lean ground chicken provides high protein with less fat than beef
- Zucchini and onions add fiber, vitamins, and volume
- Tomatoes contribute antioxidants and flavor
- Minimal oil and no heavy sauces
- Naturally gluten-free
- Low-carb when served over cauliflower rice
If you’re looking for healthy ground chicken recipes that your whole family will actually eat, this one is a winner.
Nutrition Information (Estimated)
Per serving, without rice (¼ of recipe):
- Calories: ~230
- Protein: ~26g
- Carbohydrates: ~9g
- Fat: ~9g
- Fiber: ~2g
With ½ cup cooked white rice:
- Calories: ~340
- Protein: ~28g
- Carbohydrates: ~32g
- Fat: ~9g
- Fiber: ~2g
This makes it easy to adjust based on your needs. For low-carb, enjoy the zucchini skillet on it’s own or over cauliflower. Add some carbohydrates for energy by serving over white rice or increase the fiber with brown rice.
The Skillet I Use
I make this and many of my skillet meals in my HexClad Skillet, and it’s truly one of my most-used pans in the kitchen. I’m constantly asked what pan I’m using.
What I love about it:
- Oven safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Metal-utensil safe
- Excellent browning and searing
- Durable hybrid nonstick surface
- Comes with a lid
It is definitely an investment piece, but if you cook often and want a high-quality skillet that will last for years, it’s absolutely worth it. I use mine constantly for everything from Taco Mac to Stuffed Chicken.
The Spatula Spoon I Love
You’ll also see me using my Spatula Spoon in this recipe — and I have to say, this tool surprised me.
It combines the function of a spatula and spoon in one, which makes it perfect for skillet recipes like this where you’re stirring, scooping, and serving from the same pan. The silicone material is gentle on cookware, so it won’t scratch your skillet.
I didn’t think I needed it when I first got it, but now I reach for it all the time, especially for ground chicken skillet meals and saucy dishes.
Rice Cooker for Easy Fluffy Rice
If you choose to serve this over rice, my Rice Cooker is the tool that makes it completely effortless. It cooks perfectly fluffy rice every time with almost no attention needed, which is why I use it constantly for quick dinners like this one.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
You’ll also see a few other favorites in this recipe that make prep easier:
- NeverDull Ninja Knives for chopping vegetables
- Battery-Operated Can Opener for the diced tomatoes
Both are linked above if you want to check them out — I use them daily in my kitchen.
Tips for the Best Chicken and Zucchini Skillet
- Don’t overcook the zucchini — it should be tender, not mushy
- Break up the ground chicken well for even texture
- Simmer briefly after adding tomatoes to deepen flavor
- Finish with cheese for extra savory richness
Serving Ideas
This versatile chicken zucchini recipe can be served several ways:
- Over white or brown rice
- Over cauliflower rice
- On its own as a low-carb bowl
- Topped with parmesan or melted mozzarella
- Stuffed into peppers
It’s also great for leftovers and meal prep — the flavors develop even more the next day.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
More Skillet Dinners
Chicken & Zucchini Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes with basil & oregano
- Cooked rice for serving (optional)
- Parmesan or other cheese for topping
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add zucchini and onion. Season with half of the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sauté 3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Push the veggies to the edge of the pan and add the ground chicken. Season with the remaining salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in diced tomatoes with juices.
- Simmer 5-7 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the veggies are cooked to your desired texture.
- Serve over rice and finish with Parmesan or cheese of choice.
0 Comments