Ground Chicken Zucchini Casserole That My Family Loves

I make this Chicken Zucchini Casserole every summer when zucchini seems to multiply overnight. The ground chicken makes it hearty enough for dinner, the cheesy topping keeps everyone coming back for seconds, and it's one of my favorite ways to sneak extra vegetables onto the table without anyone complaining.

My son especially loves these cozy one-pan dinners, and I love that they're easy to prep ahead and make great leftovers for lunch the next day.

zucchini chicken casserole closeup on a wooden spoon

My son loves these types of one-pan dinners. They're delicious and full of veggies, like my chicken zucchini boats, zucchini casserole, and parmesan zucchini slices.

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Ingredient Notes

Zucchini - I always grate the zucchini instead of chopping it because it blends beautifully into the casserole. Don't skip squeezing out the excess moisture-it makes the biggest difference in keeping the casserole from turning watery.
Garlic powder - The essential aromatic you can't forget in almost every savory dish.
Carrot - Adds a little pop of color, texture, and sweet taste, and it tastes superb in combination with chicken zucchini.
Lean ground chicken - This can be substituted with skillet-browned and chopped skinless boneless chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or leftover chicken.
Italian herbs - These herbs make a simple casserole taste fabulous! But they are not essential. If you don't have them, the casserole will still taste great with salt and pepper.
Shredded cheese - Once done, top the bake generously with cheese! However, it's personal preference; you can also use only ¾ cups or less, depending on the size of your baking dish.

Read Next → How To Store Zucchini

Zucchini has numerous health benefits and a soft, delicate texture. I love to use in stuffings, patties, fritters, muffins, cakes, and quick breads.

chicken zucchini bake ingredients. — Make chicken zucchini casserole - an easy and healthy dinner.

🥒 READ ALSO: 55 Best Zucchini Recipes

How To Make Chicken Zucchini Casserole Step By Step Photos

Prep zucchini. In a medium bowl, grate the zucchini and add 1 teaspoon of salt, set aside for 10-15 min to drain off the excess water.
Remove the excess water using a strainer and spoon or wrap the zucchini in a thin kitchen towel and squeeze tight to get rid of the water.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a 9x13 or slightly smaller baking dish, spray with cooking oil, and transfer the mixture into the dish.
Mix the filling. Once done, gather all the ingredients (except cheese and sour cream) in a large mixing bowl and stir with a spatula or hands until combined.

grated zucchini ground chicken carrots and egg in a glass bowl

Add sour cream. Even out the top with a spatula and layer the sour cream.

zucchini chicken casserole before baking

Bake the chicken zucchini casserole for 35 minutes.

Chicken Zucchini Casserole in a white oval baking dish before baking

Add cheese and bake again. Remove from the oven and add the cheese; bake again for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Don't skip the delicious cheese layer in this zucchini casserole - it is a must-have.

Serve! Garnish with parsley, scallions, or bacon and freshly cracked black pepper.

For a complete meal, we like to serve it with plain cabbage salad, mashed potatoes, or tomato basil mozzarella salad.

Chicken Zucchini Casserole in a white oval baking dish against grey background

🥒 Read also: 18 Types of Zucchini You Didn't Know About

Julia's Best Tips

Squeeze the zucchini really well - This is the most important step! I usually wrap the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as I can. It keeps the casserole from turning watery.
Don't overbake it - Bake just until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Overbaking can dry out the casserole.
Customize the vegetables - This recipe is very forgiving. I've added chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, corn, peas, and even chopped artichokes with great results.
Freshly grate the cheese - It melts more smoothly and gives you that beautiful golden topping that everyone loves.
Make it ahead - I often assemble the casserole a few hours before dinner, cover it, and refrigerate it until I'm ready to bake.
Turn leftovers into lunch - We love reheating leftovers and serving them with a simple salad or tucked into a wrap the next day.

What To Serve With Chicken Zucchini Casserole

Grains: lime cilantro rice, yellow rice, quinoa.
Potatoes: fries, mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes.
Bread: crusty garlic bread or garlic toast.
Salads: light and quick (tomato onion salad, green goddess salad or Mediterranean cucumber salad).

zucchini chicken casserole on a white plate close up bite shot

Storing Leftovers

To Store. Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I love having leftovers for lunch because the flavors are even better the next day.
To Freeze. You can freeze the baked casserole for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly or transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To Make Ahead. Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it's coming straight from the fridge.
To Reheat. Cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, or microwave individual portions for a quick lunch. If you like an extra cheesy topping, sprinkle on a little more cheese before reheating in the oven.

Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?

Indeed, although it will change the recipe's nutritional content.

To prepare it, remove and discard the skin, then meticulously separate the meat from the bones, discarding any cartilage.
Use your hands to pull the chicken apart, dicing the chicken breasts and shredding the remaining meat. Leftover roast chicken can also be used as an alternative.

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Favorite Zucchini Recipes

Have extra zucchini? Check out my collection of 55+ Zucchini Recipes for more easy dinners, snacks, breads, and desserts.

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Recipe Card

Julia

Chicken Zucchini Casserole (With Ground Chicken)

4.85 from 120 votes

This Chicken Zucchini Casserole may become your favorite zucchini recipe. Learn how to make this easy, and low carb recipe for busy weeknight dinners. Perfect casserole with lots of veggies and cheese that even picky eaters will appreciate.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings: 6 portions

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Russian

Calories: 234

Ingredients Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients

11-12 ounce (300 g) ground chicken
1 medium egg
1 medium carrot grated
1 pound zucchini grated
1 medium yellow onion chopped
3-4 tablespoons sour cream or more as needed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
½ teaspoon salt or to taste + for zucchini
1 ½ cup Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese
1 teaspoon of Italian herb spice or a mix of dried oregano, garlic, thyme

Method

In a medium bowl grate the zucchini and add 1 teaspoon of salt, set aside for 10-15 min to drain off the excess water.
1 pound zucchini , ½ teaspoon salt or to taste + for zucchini
Remove the excess water using a strainer and spoon or wrap the zucchini in a thin kitchen towel (or a special fabric is also available on amazon) and squeeze tight to get rid of the water.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Once done, gather all the ingredients (except cheese and sour cream) in a large mixing bowl and stir with a spatula or hands until combined.
1 medium egg, 1 medium carrot , 1 medium yellow onion, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon of Italian herb spice, 11-12 ounce (300 g) ground chicken
Prepare a 9x13 or slightly smaller baking dish, spray with cooking oil, and transfer the mixture into the dish. Even out the top with a spatula and layer the sour cream on top.
3-4 tablespoons sour cream
Bake the chicken zucchini casserole for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the cheese, bake again for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
1 ½ cup Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese
Garnish with parsley, scallions, or bacon and freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 17gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 425mgPotassium: 511mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2177IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 233mgIron: 1mg

Video

Notes

Flavor: Creamy, savory, and mildly tangy flavor profile with earthy notes from zucchini and carrots, all balanced by a delightful cheesy richness.
To Store: I suggest storing any remaining casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can be kept fresh for 3 to 4 days. When it's time to reheat, simply place it back in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, optionally adding a bit more cheese, and bake for a few minutes until it's thoroughly warmed.
To Make Ahead: You have the option to prepare this entire chicken zucchini casserole a day in advance and refrigerate it for reheating later. Alternatively, you can choose to assemble its components separately.

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Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.

FAQ

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes! Rotisserie chicken is one of my favorite shortcuts for this recipe. Simply shred or chop the meat and mix it into the casserole as directed.

What can I serve with this casserole?

It's delicious with a crisp green salad, garlic bread, roasted potatoes, rice, or fresh tomato salad for an easy family dinner.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble everything up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake.

Why is my casserole watery?

The most common reason is not removing enough moisture from the zucchini. Be sure to salt it first, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible before mixing the filling.

Do I need to peel the zucchini?

No. I usually leave the skin on because it becomes nice and tender during baking and adds extra color. If you're using very large garden zucchini with thick skins, you may want to peel them.