Zucchini noodles with chicken, cilantro, and lime is a delicious 20 minute, healthy, and gluten-free dinner idea.
For other zucchini ‘noodle’ recipes why not check out this zoodle pad Thai or zucchini lasagna!
These chicken zucchini noodles are a true light and quick summer dinner which is perfect for the days when it’s too hot to cook, just like my healthy tuna pasta salad. With leftovers for tomorrow’s healthy lunch idea, if serving only 2 of you.
Zucchini noodles were quite crisp and not soggy the next day as well. You could even swap out the chicken for another protein like this lime ginger salmon, grilled shrimp, black beans, or even crispy pan-fried tofu.
Looking for more zucchini ideas? Try my shrimp and zucchini, chicken zucchini with garlic and corn, or one of the most popular recipes, zucchini tomato bake. Just to name a few!
How to Make Zucchini Noodles with Chicken, Cilantro, and Lime
Make zucchini noodles using a spiralizer or simply chop zucchini into small chunks or stripes.
I sautéed chicken until golden brown, then added a bit of cumin for that Mexican flavour and set aside. You could even skip making chicken and use leftover diced air fryer chicken tenders or air fryer chicken breast!
My zucchini noodles were ready to go in the pan for just 1.5 minutes, that’s all it takes. I wanted zucchini to be crunchy and light, rather than soggy and mushy.
Top with previously cooked chicken, sprinkle with lots of cilantro, squeeze fresh lime juice on top and you are in heaven!
Enjoy and if you need more ideas for dinner browse over 65 clean eating chicken recipes!
More Healthy Dinner Recipes to Try
- Garlic chicken, zucchini, and corn
- Ground turkey skillet
- Borscht
- Tex Mex chicken and zucchini
- Zucchini fritters
- Healthy pasta
- Instant Pot white chicken chili
- Chicken wings in air fryer
Zucchini Noodles with Chicken, Cilantro and Lime
Ingredients
- 3 large zucchini
- 1.5 lbs boneless & skinless chicken breasts cut into 1″ pieces
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt divided
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tsp any small hot pepper/jalapeño or to taste seeded and minced (leave seeds in for very hot version)
- 1 medium or 1/2 large lime juice of
- 3/4 cup cilantro chopped
- Cooking spray I use Misto
Instructions
- Using a spiralizer, make zucchini noodles, transfer into a large bowl and set aside. You can also chop zucchini into any size pieces, if you don’t have the gadgets for making zucchini noodles.
- Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on high heat and add chicken. Saute until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add cumin, 1/2 tsp salt and ground black pepper towards the end, stir and cook for another minute. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Wipe clean or wash and pat dry the skillet and return to the stove on high heat. Spray with cooking spray and add zucchini noodles. Saute for 1.5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add previously cooked chicken, remaining salt, small hot peppers/jalapeños, lime juice and cilantro. Stir gently and serve hot.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 48 hours.
Nutrition
30 Healthy Zucchini Recipes
Small corner of the internet as I am also from Vancouver Island 🙂 had to adjust some of the ingredients from food sensitivities but this was great and very inspired! I did a quick sauce which was soy mixed with apple cider vinegar and oil to replace the lime juice and chili peppers and wow! Thank you for the inspo
Hello neighbour! Glad you liked the recipe and the variations worked out for you Tanya!
SO good! We added red pepper flakes and subbed garlic salt for regular salt. Definitely adding to a regular rotation!
That’s so great to hear Emily!
So easy to make, so quick, with simple ingredients— but soo yummy! This will be a staple in our kitchen.
Happy to hear, Theresa. 🙂
I make this all the time my meat and pots guy loves it although he picks the chicken out.
Awesome!!! Happy to hear, Tamara.
simple and tasty
It was a really good and fairly easy meal. I loved the flavors of everything together. I was a little doubtful at first because it only said two reviews at the top, but it turned out to be an amazing meal for my family.
Glad you gave it a try! 2 reviews because we installed the review feature way after I published teh recipe. So there is way more positive reviews, just no stars.:)
I loved this! So fresh and flavorful. I added just a little bit of cumin to the cooking zucchini in addition to what was called for on the chicken.
Perfect. Glad you enjoyed!!!
This was amazing Olena. Thank you. ?