These Chinese chicken zoodles are a quick and easy 15 minute meal. Packed with flavors from your favorite takeout dish but way healthier for you!
Well hello, 2017! Happy New Year, guys! Who else is happy to have the holidays behind us?
Christmas was delicious, New Year’s eve was fun and there was pie (my favorite) but I’m happy to be back on a normal schedule, even if it’s only for 5 days because I’ll be peacing out of this winter hell hole and off to Cabo for 10 days on Friday!
Guac + margs + tacos + pool. Yesssss.
But, I know most of you out there are all cleaning things up, making resolutions, getting your lives back on track in some shape or another and while internally I’m rolling my eyes at every Whole30, detox, cleanse and other “program” most likely commencing today for the month, I feel ya on the need for some green things in our lives right now.
Like zucchini noodles.
Sometime in the late summer of 2016, I finally caved and bought a spiralizer.
For so long, I held out with my trusty julienne peeler (even made this highly popular recipe: zucchini noodles with avocado cream sauce with it) and told myself it was good enough. If you want to make eggplant noodles, you’ll still need it so don’t toss it if you have one
And, it was fine for recipes like zucchini noodles with creamy roasted tomato basil sauce, Thai chicken zucchini noodles and zucchini noodles with sausage, cherries and ricotta but honestly, the
Mainly because you can turn so many more things into “noodles” like carrots in this yogurt tahini Mediterranean carrot salad or like beets and parsnips in this roasted winter root vegetable salad and even fruit like in these tart cherry glazed Ahi tuna kabobs.
I’m not gonna pretend like it miraculously makes zucchini taste like pasta because, no, it doesn’t, like not at all. But, it’s fun and a great way to sorta trick your brain into feeling like you’re eating something other than a vegetable.
It’s also just pretty if we want to be superficial like that. I mean zucchini noodles (or the more fun term: zoodles) > zucchini coins any day, right?
These are all the gadgets you can use to create vegetable noodles. Pick what suits your needs best.
|
|
|
|
|
Primary Rating:
3.5
|
Primary Rating:
3.5
|
Primary Rating:
3.5
|
Primary Rating:
3.5
|
|
$29.99
|
|
|
|
So, I bought the spiralizer and spiralized my heart out for the last few months (seriously, I probably eat 3-4 zucchini a week just myself because of this gadget).
But, I never shared any creations with you on here.
These Chinese chicken zoodles are here to change that.
You know that delicious brown sauce that accompanies the bottom of so many Chinese takeout containers?
Well, I have no idea what theirs is actually comprised of but these Chinese chicken zoodles mimic that taste exactly and I’m gonna go out on a limb and say in a much healthier way.
Pretty sure no Chinese joints are using coconut sugar behind the counter.
Just sayin’.
In just 15 minutes, you basically have a veggie packed dish, full of your favorite takeout flavor that’s healthy, delicious and a great start to the New Year no matter what “diet” train you’re on thanks to some simple zucchini noodles.
Check out these other quick, easy and healthy meal ideas for January: 20 minute sweet & spicy pork ramen stir fry | sriracha honey salmon vegetable packets | sweet & spicy mango shrimp
Chinese Chicken Zoodles
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 medium zucchini, spiralized on blade “D”
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 tablespoon melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Whisk the soy sauce, garlic, coconut sugar, water, sriracha and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the sauce to the skillet and let cook for about 1 minute. Add the chicken and zucchini noodles to the skillet, toss to fully coat in the sauce and cook for about 2 minutes, until the zucchini noodles are just slightly softened. Serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Can’t say enough positive things about this recipe!
Amazingly delicious and quick to prepare top the my list of my many compliments. Thank you for sharing.
Wow. 5 stars! I’ve been having a really tough time with the texture of zucchini noodles. I love pasta and it is a complete insult to my tongue (and sensibilities) when I substitute pasta dishes with “zoodles”. So, I’ve been on the hunt for recipes that are SO delicious, texture wouldn’t matter. THIS is DEFINITELY one of them!! Made exactly as written, even coconut sugar, and I am very impressed with the flavor panel on this simple recipe. I know it’s been a few years since written, but thank you so much! Great recipe!
Best recipe ever! The whole family loves it.
My daughter and I made this using the recipe only as a guideline as we added eggplant and mushrooms and it was great. Will definitely make again with maybe some Thai basil and a drop of fish sauce as a further tweak. Thanks!
Diane Valdez
I made this with tofu instead of chicken and it was seriously one of the best dishes I’ve ever made…the tofu must either be baked dry or very well pressed, though…this recipe is now in our best-of-the-best recipe file! Thank you!! ♡
So glad you liked it!
This was awesome! We liked it so much made it on Friday and Saturday! Didn’t use the coconut sugar and added some broccoli. This recipe is a keeper for sure :)
I bought a spiralizer during the Christmas holidays last year and have been using it for zoodles to make with home made marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes. Sooo goood! I’m going to add this recipe to my zoodles list. It sounds amazing!
I made this tonight and it was a hit with my hubby and twin 7yo’s! I was nervous that my sons might not eat straight zucchini noodles, so I doubled the sauce and added a package of buckwheat Umi brand soba noodles. It was delicious! Thank you for a quick, healthy weeknight meal option. I’ll be adding it to our rotation.
This zoodle dish – on point! The flavors, the textures – all of it!!
I’m all for quick and easy and healthy dinners. This one looks awesome!