Zucchini noodles (“zoodles”) are a great low-calorie alternative to traditional pasta.
They’re loaded with vitamins, naturally gluten-free, and perhaps best of all, won’t cause the classic “food coma” one gets after indulging in a plate of pasta.
Basil pesto brings the flavors of a classic pasta to this recipe for pesto zucchini noodles with chicken.
You can make this with chicken breast or you can sub in any other protein that you prefer, such as shrimp.
Note: Ingredient swaps may change the nutritional info, so keep that in mind!
The best way to make this zucchini noodles recipe at home is with a spiralizer, which allows you to crank out “noodles” in seconds. Not a fan of zucchini?
Experiment with different veggies, like carrots, beets, or sweet potatoes.
If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to slice your veggie of choice into noodle-like strands.
This savory zucchini noodles recipe is topped with pesto, sautéed mushrooms, and chicken for an ultra-low in calorie, low-carb substitute for pasta.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 2 servings
Calories 292 kcal
Author Beachbody
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- ½ medium red onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 Tbsp. prepared pesto sauce
- 2 (4 oz. each) cooked chicken breast, boneless, skinless, sliced, warm
Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
Add mushrooms and basil; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until mushrooms release liquid. Set aside.
Using a vegetable peeler, cut each zucchini into lengthwise strips about ⅛ inch thick. Turn zucchini slightly after cutting each strip to work evenly around the outside, stopping when you hit the seeds at the core. Discard cores. Cut slices lengthwise into ½- inch ribbons. Set aside.
Add zucchini to onion mixture; cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 2 to 4 minutes, or until heated through.
Add pesto; mix well.
Evenly divide zucchini mixture between two serving plates; evenly top with chicken.
The Nutrition Facts box below provides estimated nutritional information for this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Pesto Zucchini Noodles with Chicken
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 292 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 96mg32%
Sodium 193mg8%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 40g80%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Container
Equivalents
1½ Green
1 Red
1½ tsp.
2B Mindset Plate It!
A great dinner option. Add an FFC for lunch.
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Recipe by Amanda Meixner