Looking for a healthy, flavorful meal that's quick to prepare?
Try our lemon chicken bites with zucchini noodles!
This delightful dish combines tender, tangy chicken with light, fresh zucchini noodles, making it perfect for any occasion.
Jump to:
Lemon chicken bites with zucchini noodles is a delightful and nutritious dish that marries the zesty, bright flavors of lemon-infused chicken with the light, refreshing taste of zucchini noodles.
This meal is perfect for anyone seeking a healthy yet satisfying option, featuring tender pieces of chicken marinated in a mix of lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, then quickly sautéed to lock in their succulent flavor.
The zucchini noodles, often referred to as "zoodles," are made by spiralizing fresh zucchinis into thin, pasta-like strands.
These noodles are then lightly cooked to maintain their crisp texture. Served together, the tangy lemon chicken and the fresh, slightly crunchy zucchini noodles create a harmonious and flavorful experience.
This dish is versatile enough to be enjoyed for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch and is especially great during the warmer months when you crave something fresh and vibrant.
It can be garnished with cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, or a dash of red pepper flakes to add a personal touch and extra layers of flavor.
What are zucchini noodles (zoodles)?
Zucchini noodles, or zoodles, are a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta, made by spiralizing fresh zucchinis into thin, noodle-like strands.
To make zoodles, simply use a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or mandoline to cut zucchinis into long, thin strips.
These noodles can be eaten raw or lightly cooked by sautéing in a bit of extra virgin olive oil or butter for 2-3 minutes.
Zoodles are versatile and can be used in various dishes, offering a fresh and light option for pasta lovers.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Lemon chicken bites with zucchini noodles offer a low-carb option that is both tasty and nutritious.
- The dish is fresh and packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice for any meal.
- Bite-sized convenience makes this recipe perfect for easy serving and eating.
- Lemon chicken bites are ideal for meal prep, allowing you to prepare ahead for busy days.
- This recipe is great for a light lunch that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $5.55, or $1.38 a serve
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Butter
- Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): You can either buy zucchini noodles, or make them with a spiralizer.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast or Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Fillets: Cut into bite sized pieces.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon Juice
- All Purpose Flour (Plain Flour)
- Minced Garlic
- Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Or thickened cream.
- Dijon Mustard.
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated.
Instructions
This recipe for zucchini noodles with lemon chicken bites serves 4. The ingredient quantities can easily be adjusted to suit how many serves you need to make.
For The Noodles
Step One: Pat your zucchini noodles dry and then lightly sprinkle with salt.
Step Two: Heat butter over medium heat until melted. Once hot add the zucchini noodles and lightly sautee for a few minutes. Once softened slightly, turn off heat and remove from pan.
For the Chicken
Step One: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
Step Two: Coat chicken pieces in flour, shaking off any excess.
Step Three: Melt butter in a large frying pan, over medium to high heat. Once melted, add the chicken pieces and cook until golden, crispy and cooked through. Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside.
For the Sauce
Step One: Using the same frying pan you cooked the chicken in saute the garlic for a few seconds. If your pan is a bit dry, add a bit more butter.
Step Two: Add the chicken stock, cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, to the pan over low to medium heat. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
Step Three: Add the Parmesan cheese and mix through. Continue to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Four: Mix through the cooked chicken, coating it in the sauce. Turn off heat.
Step Five: Serve chicken over cooked zucchini noodles, garnished with roughly chopped fresh parsley.
Tips for Success
- Pat the zucchini noodles dry with a paper towel before cooking to reduce excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
- Cook the zucchini noodles for just a few minutes to keep them crisp-tender and avoid overcooking.
Substitutions / Variations
Here are some variations for this lemon chicken zoodles recipe:
- Use spaghetti squash instead of zucchini.
- Add cherry tomatoes.
- Use lime for a different citrus note.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Add a dash of garlic powder.
- Serve with a side of quinoa.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ways you might like to serve this lemon chicken bites with zoodles:
- Serve with a side of quinoa.
- Pair with a fresh cucumber salad.
- Garnish with fresh dill.
- Accompany with a light white wine.
- Serve with roasted cherry tomatoes.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed.
FAQ
Yes, you can pre-cut zucchini noodles. Store them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture. They stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
To shred zucchini for noodles, use a spiralizer, mandoline, or julienne peeler. These tools create long, thin strips resembling pasta.
To keep zucchini noodles from getting soggy, avoid overcooking.
Sauté them briefly, sprinkle with salt to draw out moisture, and pat dry before cooking.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Lemon Chicken Bites With Zucchini Noodles
Ingredients
For the Noodles
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 800 grams (28 ounces) zucchini noodles (zoodles) (see note 1)
For the Chicken
- 200 grams (7.01 ounces) boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets, cut into bite sized pieces
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup (35 grams, 1.23 ounces) All purpose flour (plain flour)
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams, 1.60 ounces) Butter
For the Sauce
- 1 teaspoon (1-2 cloves) minced garlic
- 1 cup (250 ml/grams, 8.81 ounces) chicken stock or vegetable stock
- ¼ cup (66 ml/grams, 2.32 ounces) heavy whipping cream (or thickened cream)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or to taste
- ¾ cup (90 grams, 3.17 ounces) Parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus extra to serve
- Fresh parsley roughly chopped, to garnish
Instructions
For The Noodles
- Pat your zucchini noodles dry and then lightly sprinkle with salt.
- Heat butter over medium heat until melted. Once hot add the zucchini noodles and lightly sautee for a few minutes. Once softened slightly, turn off heat and remove from pan.
For the Chicken
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
- Coat chicken pieces in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Melt butter in a large frying pan, over medium to high heat. Once melted, add the chicken pieces and cook until golden, crispy and cooked through. Once cooked, remove from pan and set aside.
For the Sauce
- Using the same frying pan you cooked the chicken in saute the garlic for a few seconds. If your pan is a bit dry, add a bit more butter.
- Add the chicken stock, cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, to the pan over low to medium heat. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and mix through. Continue to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix through the cooked chicken, coating it in the sauce. Turn off heat.
- Serve chicken over cooked zucchini noodles, garnished with roughly chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- To make zucchini noodles you could use a spiralizer and a whole zucchini. Otherwise you could purchase zucchini noodles (zoodles) from your local supermarket if available.
Comments
No Comments