One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes
A vibrant and healthy skillet meal featuring juicy chicken breasts, tender zucchini, and sweet cherry tomatoes all infused with garlic and fresh herbs for a light yet satisfying dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (whole30, dairy-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, avocado oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil to the skillet over medium heat, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in sliced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until zucchini is tender and tomatoes begin to burst.
- Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, spooning vegetable mixture over the top, and drizzle with lemon juice.
- Step 6: Transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 5-7 minutes until chicken is heated through and vegetables are fully tender.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.