Why You’ll Love this BBQ Chicken Breast
If you’re looking for a dinner option that’s both impressive and effortless, this BBQ chicken breast with zucchini sauce is about to become your new favorite.
I’ve been making this dish for years, and it never fails to impress. The tender chicken gets perfectly caramelized on the outside while staying juicy inside.
And that zucchini sauce? It’s creamy, garlicky heaven that transforms ordinary chicken into something restaurant-worthy.
What I love most is how it looks fancy but comes together in minutes. Perfect for those nights when you want something special without the fuss.
Who knew zucchini could be this luxurious?
What Ingredients are in BBQ Chicken Breast?
This BBQ chicken breast with zucchini sauce brings together simple ingredients that transform into something truly special.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredient list – things you might already have in your kitchen right now. The chicken provides a perfect canvas for the creamy, garlicky zucchini sauce that’s both luxurious and surprisingly easy to make.
- 2 skinless chicken breast fillets
- 3 large zucchini, sliced 1/2cm thick
- 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt, to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 300ml water or chicken stock (homemade preferred)
- 50g softened butter
While the recipe is fantastic as written, don’t be afraid to make it your own. The knowledge section hints at a possible wine addition to the stock, which would add wonderful depth of flavor.
You could also experiment with different herbs – a sprinkle of fresh thyme or rosemary would complement the chicken beautifully.
And if you’re watching calories, you might reduce the butter slightly, though it does provide that silky texture that makes the sauce so irresistible.
Can you imagine how amazing your kitchen will smell when this is cooking?
How to Make this BBQ Chicken Breast
Let’s start by creating that luscious zucchini sauce that makes this dish so special. Heat a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
Add 4 roughly chopped garlic cloves along with a pinch of sea salt, and sauté for about 2 minutes until the garlic softens and becomes fragrant—but don’t let it brown, or you’ll get a bitter taste.
Next, add your 3 large zucchini (sliced 1/2cm thick) and another sprinkle of salt, continuing to stir continuously. This is where the magic happens, as the zucchini begins to release its moisture and soften.
Now comes the liquid component that brings everything together. Pour in 300ml of water or chicken stock (homemade is divine if you have it), or get fancy with a combination of stock and wine for extra depth.
Let everything simmer for 2-3 minutes until your zucchini has softened completely. Here’s where we transform this from good to great: remove about half the zucchini mixture from the pan and blend it with 50g of softened butter until smooth but still maintaining a bit of texture.
Return this creamy mixture back to the pan with the remaining zucchini pieces, creating a sauce that’s both chunky and silky at once. The butter enriches everything with a velvety finish that will have everyone wondering what your secret ingredient is.
While the recipe doesn’t explicitly state how to cook the chicken breasts, they’d be perfect seasoned simply with salt and pepper, then grilled on a BBQ until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (about 6-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness).
You can also pan-sear them if outdoor grilling isn’t an option. When serving, place your 2 juicy chicken breast fillets on plates and generously spoon that incredible zucchini sauce over the top.
The combination of the smoky, charred chicken with the creamy, garlicky sauce creates a flavor contrast that’s absolutely mouthwatering. Would it be wrong to lick the plate when no one’s looking?
BBQ Chicken Breast Substitutions and Variations
Many cooks wonder whether they can adapt this BBQ chicken breast recipe to fit their pantry or dietary needs—and the answer is a resounding yes!
You can swap chicken thighs for breast if you prefer juicier meat. Not a zucchini fan? Try yellow squash or even eggplant for the sauce. The garlic can be dialed up or down, and I sometimes throw in herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist.
For a dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut cream.
And that chicken stock? Vegetable broth works in a pinch, though you’ll lose some depth of flavor.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Breast
Now that you’ve mastered the art of customizing your BBQ chicken breast, you’ll need some stellar sides to complete your meal. The zucchini sauce already provides a creamy complement, but why stop there?
I love pairing this dish with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil. The peppery greens cut through the richness perfectly.
Roasted sweet potatoes or a classic corn on the cob also play well with BBQ flavors.
For a complete plate, try quinoa or brown rice to soak up that delicious sauce. Trust me, you’ll want to capture every last drop of it.
Final Thoughts
Why settle for bland chicken when you can transform an ordinary cut into something extraordinary?
This BBQ chicken with zucchini sauce brings together simple ingredients in a harmony that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
I’ve found that the secret lies in that velvety zucchini sauce—garlic-infused and butter-enriched—it elevates plain chicken breast to dinner party status.
Trust me, your family will think you’ve been taking secret cooking classes.
BBQ Chicken Breast With Zucchini Bliss
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add the roughly chopped garlic cloves with a pinch of sea salt. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the garlic softens but doesn’t brown.
- Add the sliced zucchini and another sprinkle of salt, stirring continuously as the zucchini begins to release moisture and soften.
- Pour in the water or chicken stock and let everything simmer for 2-3 minutes until the zucchini has completely softened.
- Remove about half the zucchini mixture from the pan and blend it with the softened butter until smooth while still maintaining some texture.
- Return the blended mixture back to the pan with the remaining zucchini pieces, creating a sauce that’s both chunky and silky.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Grill the chicken on a BBQ until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (about 6-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness).
- Place the grilled chicken breasts on plates and generously spoon the zucchini sauce over the top.
