Healthy Chicken Recipes! This Skillet Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini and Squash is a super easy, super flavorful, one-pan chicken and vegetable recipe that the whole family will love! It’s a delicious, bright, lemony dinner that makes for great leftovers.
Lemon Parmesan Chicken With Zucchini and Squash
Embrace the bounty of summer gardens with this delightful Skillet Lemon Parmesan Chicken featuring the abundance of zucchini and squash. If you’re surrounded by green thumbs or fortunate enough to have your own garden, chances are you’re swimming in these vibrant vegetables right now. Seize the opportunity to transform your harvest into a sensational, healthy chicken dish that not only celebrates the season but also the generosity of garden-sharing family and friends.
Picture this: a quick dice for prep, followed by a mere 6 minutes to cook the succulent chicken, all in the same skillet. Then, in just 4 minutes, sauté the freshly picked zucchini and squash to perfection. This recipe effortlessly embodies the essence of simple weeknight dinners, providing a wholesome and flavorful solution for those surplus summer vegetables.
The beauty lies in the balance—carefully tending to the veggies to ensure they retain their tender texture, avoiding the pitfall of overcooking. Revel in the irresistible combination of buttery-herb and zesty, garlic-Parmesan flavors that will elevate your dining experience to new heights. Don’t delay—immerse yourself in this culinary delight soon, and you’ll undoubtedly savor every flavorful moment.
Lemon Parmesan Chicken Ingredients
For the chicken and zucchini skillet, you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs and spices (Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder)
- Lemon zest and juice
- Zucchini
- Yellow squash
- Shredded Parmesan
- Fresh parsley
How to Cook Chicken in a Skillet
- Season diced chicken with herbs, spices and lemon zest, then cook in hot skillet with olive oil and butter.
- Transfer cooked chicken to plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté zucchini and squash in that same skillet, seasoning with the same blend of herbs and spices.
- Return chicken to pan and drizzle in lemon juice. Sprinkle on Parmesan and garnish with fresh parsley, then toss to combine.
- Serve with your choice of rice, orzo, pasta, and more!
FAQ
Yes, you can use any cut of chicken you’d like here. I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken in this recipe, but feel free to use whatever you see fit.
Just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cook time slightly depending on how large you dice the chicken and what cut of meat you use.
Of course! Lemon Parmesan chicken pairs well with almost any vegetable. I recommend using seasonal produce that cooks at roughly the same rate as the zucchini and squash (that way you’re not having to take ingredients in and out of the skillet to accommodate different cook times).
Tips for the Best Skillet Chicken and Veggies
- Before cooking the chicken, dab it dry — preferably on both sides — and use a hot skillet. Try to give the pieces some space so you can get that nice golden brown sear for added flavor.
- Use shredded Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor, and not the cheese that comes in a shaker can.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest, freshest flavor.
Skillet Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini and Squash
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite size pieces
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 Tbsp butter, divided (or more olive oil)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder*, divided
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp lemon zest, plus more for serving
- 10 oz. (2 small) zucchini, sliced and halved if wider
- 10 oz. (2 small) yellow squash, sliced and halved if wider
- ⅓ cup finely shredded parmesan, or more to taste
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Dab chicken dry with paper towels. Season with a fair amount of salt and pepper, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, onion powder and lemon zest then toss to coat (I just added the seasonings to the chicken on the cutting board). Melt butter in pan with olive oil then add chicken and cook 3 minutes then flip and cook opposite side until chicken has cooked through (center of larger pieces should register 165 degrees), about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Heat remaining 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and squash, then season with salt, 1 tsp Italian seasoning and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Cook tossing occasionally until just tender, about 4 minutes.
- Return chicken to pan with zucchini and squash. Drizzle in lemon juice and toss. Sprinkle with parmesan and parsley. Serve warm with more parmesan and lemon zest if desired (I served mine over cooked orzo which is delicious).
Notes
- *1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic may be substituted. Add half of it to the chicken halfway through cooking and add half to the zucchini/squash
- when added to the skillet.
Recipe source: Cooking Classy
Amount Per Serving
Calories 331Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 110mg37%
Sodium 311mg14%
Potassium 931mg27%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 34g68%
Vitamin A 735IU15%
Vitamin C 32.5mg39%
Calcium 116mg12%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.