Background Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages embryonic development and leads to growth arrest. Objective The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether maternal zinc (Zn) exert protective effect on oxidative stress targeting mitochondrial function using an avian model. Result In ovo injected tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) increases (P < 0.05) hepatic mitochondrial ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and decreases (P < 0.05) mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that Zn addition enhances (P < 0.05) ATP synthesis and metallothionein 4 (MT4) content and expression as well as alleviates (P < 0.05) the BHP-induced mitochondrial ROS generation, oxidative damage and dysfunction, exerting a protective effect on mitochondrial function by enhancing antioxidant capacity and upregulating the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and PGC-1α. Conclusions The present study provides a new way to protect offspring against oxidative damage by maternal Zn supplementation through the process of targeting mitochondria involving the activation of Nrf2/PGC-1α signaling. Graphical Abstract