Zucchini-Crusted Chicken with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

This cozy dinner features tender chicken breasts topped with a savory Parmesan and zucchini crust that keeps the meat moist and flavorful. The zucchini blanket not only adds a pop of green but also locks in juices, ensuring every bite is succulent.

Serve the chicken over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and alongside crisp-tender green beans. A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the dish, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal for any night of the week.

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Ingredients

2 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

24 ounce Chicken BreastsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

24 ounce Yukon Gold PotatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Green BeansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 box MilkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash and dry all produce. Peel potatoes and cut into ½-inch cubes. Trim stems from green beans. Grate zucchini on a box grater. Place shreds in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess liquid over a sink. Transfer to a bowl, season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Add Parmesan to the zucchini and mix well. Set aside. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Arrange chicken on a baking sheet. Brush each breast with a drizzle of olive oil. Top with a thick layer of the zucchini-Parmesan mixture. Bake until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. Then switch oven to broil (or increase to 500°F) and cook until topping is golden and crisp, about 2 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, place potatoes in a medium pot with a pinch of salt and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, 10–12 minutes. About 3 minutes before potatoes are done, add green beans to the pot. Cook until tender, then remove beans with a slotted spoon.
5. Drain potatoes and return to the pot. Add butter and ¼ cup milk. Mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Add more milk if needed for a creamier texture.
6. Cut lemon into wedges. Divide mashed potatoes, chicken, and green beans among plates. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Box grater

Urbanstrive Cheese Grater With Container Box Grater Stainless Steel Graters for Kitchen Cheese Shredder Parmesan Shredder Kitchen Gadgets Kitchen Tools Kitchen Gifts for Chef Dishwasher Safe ZesterView on AmazonSpring Chef Professional Cheese Grater - Stainless Steel, XL Size, 4 Sides - Perfect Box Grater for Parmesan Cheese, Vegetables, Ginger - Dishwasher Safe - BlackView on AmazonSpring Chef Professional Large Parmesan Cheese Grater, Stainless Steel Metal Box Grater with Handle, 4 Sided Handheld Kitchen Food Shredder for Cheese, Carrot, Veggie, Ginger, Potato - Dishwasher SafeView on Amazon

Vegetable peeler

Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonZulay Kitchen Premium Vegetable Peeler for Kitchen - Swivel Peeler with Razor Sharp Stainless Steel Blades & Strong Ergonomic Handle - Dishwasher Safe, Easy To Use with Blemish Remover - BlackView on Amazon

Clean kitchen towel

Homaxy 100% Cotton Waffle Weave Kitchen Dish Cloths, Ultra Soft Absorbent Quick Drying Dish Towels, 12 x 12 Inches, 6-Pack, Dark GreyView on AmazonHOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth 210GSM, Pack of 12, Size:11.5" x 11.5", Ultra-Soft, High-Density Non-Abrasive Cleaning Towels for Cars, Glass, Kitchen, Reusable Rags, Blue/Green/Yellow/PinkView on AmazonSIFANGKE Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 12 Pack Assorted Color Cleaning Rags for Housekeeping, Colorful Reusable Microfiber Towels for Car, Kitchen, Bathroom and Household Cleaning Supplies, 11.8"X11.8"View on Amazon

Mixing bowl

Fox Run Brands 2.75-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, 9 x 9 x 4 inches, MetallicView on AmazonUmite Chef Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Set, 8PCS Stainless Steel Nesting Bowls with Grater Attachments, Non-Slip Bottoms, 5, 4, 3.5, 2, 1.5QT for Mixing & ServingView on AmazonPyrex Essentials (3-Piece) Glass Mixing Bowls Set For Prepping, Baking and Cooking, Preheated Oven, Dishwasher, Freezer, and Microwave SafeView on Amazon

Plastic wrap

Reynolds Kitchens Quick Cut Plastic Wrap, 225 Square FeetView on AmazonReynolds 912 Foodservice Clear Plastic Wrap Film, 15 inch Width, 2000 FeetView on AmazonPlastic Food Wrap Thick Enough for daily use Stronger for Comercial Use Durable With Slide Cutter 12"wide 2000 Feet long Home and Commercial Use Food ServiceView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Medium pot

Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on Amazon

Potato masher

Chef Craft Select Sturdy Masher, 10.25 inch, Stainless Steel/BlackView on AmazonKitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher, 10.24-Inch, BlackView on AmazonUpgraded Potato Masher, Durable Non-break Handle, Rust-proof, Dishwasher safe, Heavy duty 304 Stainless Steel, Kitchen Gadgets Gifts, BlackView on Amazon

Slotted spoon

Berglander Slotted Spoons for Straining 2 pcs 13", Stainless Steel Kitchen Spider Strainer Skimmer Ladle for Straining Pasta/Cooking/Frying, Metal Kitchen Utensils Pasta SpoonView on AmazonHOTEC 446°F Heat Resistant Large Silicone Cooking Spoon, BPA Free Solid Slotted Spoons, Nonstick Kitchen Cookware Utensils, Mixing, Serving, Stiring Large Spoons, BlackView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Slotted SpoonView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of potato?

Yes, Russet or red potatoes work well, though Yukon Golds provide a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the juices run clear. You can also cut into the thickest part to check.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

The components are best served fresh, but you can prepare the zucchini topping and mash the potatoes in advance. Reheat gently before serving.