Prepare the Zucchini: Place the sliced zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and let it sit in the sink for 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess water. Afterwards, rinse the slices briefly and pat them thoroughly dry with a clean tea towel or kitchen paper. This step is vital for preventing a watery bake.

Preheat Oven & Brown Chicken: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe frying pan or casserole dish over a medium-high heat. Season the chicken chunks with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides. The chicken doesn't need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove it from the pan and set aside.

Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Create the Sauce: Stir in the tomato purée and cook for a minute, then pour in the tinned tomatoes. Add the dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and the black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it bubble gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.

Combine Everything: Return the browned chicken to the pan, along with any juices that have collected. Add the prepared zucchini slices and stir everything gently to combine, ensuring the chicken and zucchini are well-coated in the sauce. What works best for me is to make sure everything is in an even layer. If your pan isn't oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a 2-litre baking dish.

Top with Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan.

Bake to Perfection: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese topping is melted, golden brown, and slightly crisp at theedges.

Rest and Serve: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to settle a little. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like, and serve hot. For another easy chicken dinner idea, check out my Bruschetta Chicken.