Garlic Butter Chicken Zucchini Noodles (Printable version)
Tender chicken and crisp zucchini noodles tossed in aromatic garlic butter sauce for a satisfying low-carb meal.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
→ Garlic Butter Sauce
05 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 4 cloves garlic minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or basil oregano thyme mix
08 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
09 - juice of 1/2 lemon
→ Zucchini Noodles
10 - 4 medium zucchinis spiralized
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
# Directions:
01 - Season chicken pieces evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika, ensuring all surfaces are coated.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
03 - Reduce heat to medium and add remaining butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
04 - Add spiralized zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Cook, tossing gently, for 2-3 minutes until just tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to prevent mushy texture.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet and add lemon juice. Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through, about 1 minute.
06 - Divide mixture evenly into 4 meal prep containers. Allow to cool slightly before sealing and refrigerating.
07 - Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley just before serving, if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The garlic butter sauce transforms simple zucchini into something crave-worthy
- Meal prep containers actually look forward-worthy
- Ready in 35 minutes but tastes like slow-cooked comfort
02 -
- Zucchini keeps releasing water after cooking, so portion sauce separately if you're prepping more than 2 days ahead
- Don't overcook the noodles or you'll have a sad, watery situation
- Chicken thighs stay juicier if you're reheating multiple times
03 -
- Pat your zucchini noodles dry with paper towels before cooking to prevent watering down
- Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even searing