High Protein Zucchini Bowl (Print Version)

A vibrant, low-calorie bowl of sautéed zucchini and tender chicken for a high-protein, satisfying meal in 35 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 9 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 garlic clove, minced

→ Seasoning

06 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
12 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, warming until it shimmers.
02 - Toss the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika and oregano, then add to the skillet. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is evenly browned and reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
03 - Using the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and the onion begins to soften, stirring to deglaze any browned bits.
04 - Add the zucchini and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender yet retain a slight bite.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, toss to combine with the vegetables, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors and ensure everything is heated through.
06 - Remove from heat, drizzle with lemon juice if using, and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately over a bed of greens or cauliflower rice if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It&aposs a secret weapon for days when you want something filling and energizing, but don&apost want to spend forever in the kitchen.
  • Even my picky roommate ended up scraping the bowl clean—this recipe converted a few veggie skeptics in my house.
02 -
  • Once, I dumped all the veggies in at once and ended up with a watery stew instead of a sauté—add them gradually to avoid this pitfall.
  • Switching to smoked paprika instead of regular took the chicken from bland to seriously irresistible.
03 -
  • Pat your chicken dry before cooking—it really does help the pieces brown instead of steam.
  • That quick squeeze of lemon at the end is the secret to making every single flavor pop.
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