Description
A quick and healthy Lemon Garlic Chicken Zoodles recipe featuring tender chicken pieces and vibrant zucchini noodles tossed in a zesty lemon garlic sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a light yet satisfying low-carb meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables & Zoodles
- 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized into zoodles
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
Optional Garnishes
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the sauce: Stir in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes to slightly reduce and concentrate the flavors.
- Cook the zoodles: Add the spiralized zucchini noodles to the skillet and gently toss them in the lemon garlic sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the zoodles are tender but still have a slight crispness.
- Combine and heat through: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the zoodles. Mix well and heat everything together for an additional 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Season and garnish: Adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add the optional red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and increase the amount of zucchini or add other vegetables.
- To keep the zoodles from becoming soggy, avoid overcooking them—cook just until tender-crisp.
- Parmesan cheese adds richness but is optional; substitute with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly alternative.
