Golden Garlic Herb Chicken with Sautéed Summer Squash and Zucchini - Perfect One-Pan Dinner

The ultimate garlic herb chicken featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts, vibrant zucchini, and golden yellow squash. This weeknight dinner combines the savory richness of garlic and herbs with the fresh sweetness of summer vegetables, creating an unforgettable healthy meal that elevates the classic chicken and vegetables to extraordinary heights perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or any time you crave the perfect balance of protein and fresh produce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Golden Garlic Herb Chicken with Sautéed Summer Squash and Zucchini - Perfect One-Pan Dinner - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Mastering the Perfect Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Seasoning and Preparation:
Learning to properly season and prepare chicken breasts with the perfect blend of herbs and spices for maximum flavor penetration.
Pan-Searing Technique:
Mastering the high-heat sear that creates a golden-brown crust while keeping the interior juicy and tender through precise temperature control.
Resting for Juiciness:
Understanding the importance of resting cooked chicken to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat for optimal moisture and texture.
Vegetable Sautéing:
Achieving the perfect tender-crisp texture and caramelized edges on summer squash through proper heat management and timing.
Plating and Presentation:
Composing a beautiful, restaurant-quality plate by arranging sliced chicken over colorful vegetables with strategic garnishing for visual impact.
Golden Garlic Herb Chicken with Sautéed Summer Squash and Zucchini - Perfect One-Pan Dinner - secondary view

The Art of Garlic Herb Chicken Perfection

Seasoning and Preparation
Learning to properly season and prepare chicken breasts with the perfect blend of herbs and spices for maximum flavor penetration.
Pan-Searing Technique
Mastering the high-heat sear that creates a golden-brown crust while keeping the interior juicy and tender through precise temperature control.
Resting for Juiciness
Understanding the importance of resting cooked chicken to allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat for optimal moisture and texture.
Vegetable Sautéing
Achieving the perfect tender-crisp texture and caramelized edges on summer squash through proper heat management and timing.
Plating and Presentation
Composing a beautiful, restaurant-quality plate by arranging sliced chicken over colorful vegetables with strategic garnishing for visual impact.
Mastering the Perfect Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet
Chicken Perfection: Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges while the center finishes cooking.
Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature - this guarantees juicy chicken without guesswork.
Vegetable Texture: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking squash; work in batches if needed to achieve proper caramelization instead of steaming.
Make-Ahead Option: Season chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in refrigerator for even more flavor development.
Flavor Variations: Substitute fresh basil or oregano for parsley, or add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick to customize the dish.
Storage Guidelines: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in refrigerator, reheating gently to prevent drying out the chicken.
Golden Garlic Herb Chicken with Sautéed Summer Squash and Zucchini - Perfect One-Pan Dinner - tertiary view

Golden Garlic Herb Chicken with Sautéed Summer Squash and Zucchini - Perfect One-Pan Dinner

The ultimate garlic herb chicken featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts, vibrant zucchini, and golden yellow squash. This weeknight dinner combines the savory richness of garlic and herbs with the fresh sweetness of summer vegetables, creating an unforgettable healthy meal that elevates the classic chicken and vegetables to extraordinary heights perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or any time you crave the perfect balance of protein and fresh produce.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Chicken:
02
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
03
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
04
1 teaspoon garlic powder
05
1 teaspoon onion powder
06
1 teaspoon salt
07
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
08
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
09
For the Vegetables:
10
2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
11
2 medium yellow squash, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
12
4 cloves garlic, minced
13
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
14
2 tablespoons butter
15
1/2 teaspoon salt
16
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
18
For Special Equipment:
19
Large skillet or frying pan, 12-inch
20
Meat thermometer
21
Sharp knife for slicing

Instructions

01
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and pound to even thickness if needed, about 3/4-inch thick throughout for even cooking.
02
In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then rub the seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of each chicken breast.
03
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
04
Add seasoned chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until golden brown on the first side.
05
Flip chicken breasts and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through.
06
Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm while preparing the vegetables.
07
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter.
08
Add sliced zucchini and yellow squash to the skillet in a single layer as much as possible, cooking for 3-4 minutes without stirring to allow browning.
09
Stir vegetables and add minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until squash is tender-crisp and garlic is fragrant.
10
Season vegetables with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then stir in fresh parsley.
11
Slice the rested chicken breasts against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices.
12
Arrange sliced chicken over the sautéed vegetables, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired, and garnish with additional parsley before serving immediately.