This is easy to make and has delicious flavors. For a vegan option, substitute tempeh for chicken. Although a bit more complicated, you can also make this with both tempeh and chicken to add variety. Tempeh is made from organic soy products, so be sure to choose organic, non-GMO. Tempeh has a mild flavor and is less bland than tofu, and pairs nicely with Marinara sauce.
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 22-25 minutes
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless chicken thighs (or 12 ounces of organic, non-GMO tempeh)
2 cups zucchini, chopped into ¾ inch cubes
2 Tbsp avocado oil
2 tsp Italian herb seasoning
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Sauce
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup Marinara sauce
8 pitted olives, sliced in half
6 basil leaves, thinly sliced into strips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).
Combine chicken thighs (and/or tempeh) and chopped zucchini in an ovenproof dish. Add avocado oil, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper and rub with chicken and zucchini. When oven reaches 400 degrees, roast in the oven on the top third rack for 20-25 minutes, until chicken’s internal temperature reaches 170 degrees (F). Zucchini should be tender and lightly browned.
Meanwhile, heat a medium sauté pan to medium-low heat, add oil, then mushrooms, and cook covered stirring occasionally until mushrooms soften (about 6-7 minutes), then add Marinara sauce, olives, and simmer at low heat until chicken is cooked.
Pour Marinara sauce with mushrooms and olives on plates, then add roasted chicken and zucchini, and garnish with finely sliced basil leaves. Serve immediately.
Enjoy,
Steven Masley, MD
I’m sure you can use either green or black olives, which one was used in the original recipe?
Is there a recipe for the marinara sauce?
Hi Debbie,
I used Kalamata Greek olives (black), slicing in half lengthwise and removing the pits. You could use green olives, but with marinara sauce, I prefer black olives.
Steven Masley, MD
Do u want white or green olives
I’d recommend black Kalamata olives to go with marinara sauce.
Where I can find marinara sauce?
Hi Lily,
In a grocery store, look in the pasta sauce section. The better spaghetti sauces with herbs and garlic are often called marinara sauce. As tomatoes are in the dirty dozen list for high pesticides, I always look for an organic brand. Sometime this summer, I’ll share my favorite Marinara sauce in case you’d like to make this from scratch.
Steven Masley, MD