Lunch Bowls

Chicken And Zucchini Noodle Bowl

Name: Chicken And Zucchini Noodle Bowl
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless; 2 medium zucchinis; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon grated ginger; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

By Reuben Jardine · June 19, 2026 · Lunch Bowls

Prep20 min

Cook15 min

Total40 min

Serves4

I still remember the first time I made a chicken and zucchini noodle bowl for my family. It was a weeknight, and I was looking for a quick and easy meal that would please everyone. I had all the ingredients on hand, and it turned out to be a huge hit. The combination of juicy chicken, tender zucchini noodles, and flavorful sauce was a winner.

As a home cook, I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are not only delicious but also easy to make and versatile. This chicken and zucchini noodle bowl recipe checks all those boxes. You can make it ahead of time, store it in the fridge or freezer, and reheat it when you're ready for a healthy and satisfying meal.

One of the things I love about this recipe is that it's perfect for meal prep. You can cook the chicken and zucchini noodles in advance, then assemble the bowls just before serving. It's also a great way to use up any leftover chicken or vegetables you have on hand.

In this recipe, I'll show you how to make a delicious and easy chicken and zucchini noodle bowl that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend lunch. I'll share my tips and tricks for cooking the chicken and zucchini noodles to perfection, and I'll give you some ideas for customizing the recipe to suit your tastes.

So let's get started! With this recipe, you'll be enjoying a tasty and satisfying chicken and zucchini noodle bowl in no time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
It's perfect for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use.
The chicken and zucchini noodles are cooked to perfection, with a safe internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) for the chicken.
The sauce is flavorful and savory, and can be made ahead of time.
This recipe is highly customizable, so you can add your favorite vegetables or protein to suit your tastes.
It's a healthy and satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend lunch.

Why This Recipe Works

The key to this recipe is in the cooking technique. By cooking the chicken and zucchini noodles separately, you can ensure that each component is cooked to perfection. The chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 F (74 C), while the zucchini noodles are cooked until they're tender but still crisp.

The sauce is also an important component of this recipe. By using a combination of soy sauce, olive oil, and garlic, you can create a flavorful and savory sauce that brings all the ingredients together. The sauce is also easy to make ahead of time, so you can store it in the fridge or freezer until you're ready to use it.

Another reason this recipe works so well is that it's highly customizable. You can add your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers or carrots, to the sauce for added flavor and nutrition. You can also use different types of protein, such as shrimp or tofu, if you prefer.

Overall, this chicken and zucchini noodle bowl recipe is a winner because it's easy to make, delicious, and versatile. It's perfect for meal prep, and it's a great way to get your daily dose of protein and vegetables.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this delicious chicken and zucchini noodle bowl, you'll need a few simple ingredients. The key players are chicken breasts, zucchinis, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and ginger. You'll also need some salt and pepper to taste. Don't worry if you don't have all of these ingredients on hand - you can easily substitute them with similar ingredients or omit them if you prefer.

When shopping for the ingredients, be sure to choose fresh and high-quality items. For the chicken, look for boneless, skinless breasts that are free of added hormones and antibiotics. For the zucchinis, choose firm and straight ones with a bright green color. For the soy sauce, choose a low-sodium option to reduce the salt content of the dish.

1 lb (450g) chicken breasts, boneless and skinlessLook for chicken breasts that are free of added hormones and antibiotics, and that have a good balance of white and dark meat for flavor and moisture.
2 medium zucchinisChoose firm and straight zucchinis with a bright green color, and that are free of blemishes or soft spots.
2 tablespoons soy sauceChoose a low-sodium option to reduce the salt content of the dish, and look for a brand that uses high-quality ingredients and has a good balance of flavors.
1 tablespoon olive oilChoose a high-quality olive oil that has a good balance of flavors and a high smoke point, making it ideal for cooking at high temperatures.
2 cloves garlic, mincedLook for fresh garlic that is firm and has a bright white color, and that is free of blemishes or soft spots.
1 tablespoon grated gingerChoose fresh ginger that is firm and has a bright yellow color, and that is free of blemishes or soft spots.
1/2 teaspoon saltLook for a high-quality salt that has a good balance of flavors and textures, and that is free of additives or preservatives.
1/4 teaspoon black pepperChoose a high-quality pepper that has a good balance of flavors and textures, and that is free of additives or preservatives.
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsleyLook for fresh parsley that is firm and has a bright green color, and that is free of blemishes or soft spots.
1 tablespoon lemon juiceChoose a high-quality lemon juice that is fresh and has a good balance of flavors, and that is free of additives or preservatives.

Ingredients for Chicken And Zucchini Noodle Bowl

Equipment You’ll Need

Large heavy skillet or wokSharp chef's knifeInstant-read thermometerCutting boardMeasuring cups and spoonsColander or strainer

How to Make Chicken And Zucchini Noodle Bowl

1
Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Slice them into thin strips and season with salt and pepper.
2
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it reaches 165 F (74 C).
3
While the chicken is cooking, slice the zucchinis into noodles using a spiralizer or a sharp chef's knife. Place the noodles in a colander or strainer and sprinkle with salt to draw out excess moisture.
4
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and toss to coat.
5
Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet or wok and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are tender but still crisp. Stir in the chopped parsley and lemon juice.
6
To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked chicken and zucchini noodles among four bowls. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each bowl and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
7
Let the bowls rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
8
Serve the chicken and zucchini noodle bowls hot, garnished with additional parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
9
To make ahead, cook the chicken and zucchini noodles, then store them in separate containers in the fridge or freezer. Assemble the bowls just before serving and reheat as needed.
10
To reheat, simply microwave the bowls for 30-60 seconds, or until the chicken and noodles are hot and steaming.
11
To freeze, place the cooked chicken and zucchini noodles in separate containers or freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat from frozen in the microwave or oven.

Expert Tips

Use a high-quality soy sauce that has a good balance of flavors and is low in sodium.
Don't overcook the zucchini noodles, as they can become mushy and unappetizing.
Add some heat to the dish by incorporating red pepper flakes or sliced jalapenos.
Use a variety of colorful vegetables to add visual appeal to the dish.
Experiment with different types of protein, such as shrimp or tofu, for a change of pace.
Make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for a quick and easy meal.
Reheat in the microwave or oven for a hot and satisfying meal.
Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges for a bright and refreshing finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking the chicken or zucchini noodles, leading to dry and unappetizing textures.
Not using a high-quality soy sauce, which can result in a bland and uninspired flavor.
Not seasoning the chicken and noodles with salt and pepper, leading to a lack of depth and complexity.
Not letting the bowls rest for a few minutes before serving, which can result in a disjointed and unbalanced flavor profile.
Not reheating the bowls properly, which can lead to a cold and unappetizing meal.
Not freezing the cooked chicken and noodles properly, which can result in a loss of texture and flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

Add some heat to the dish by incorporating red pepper flakes or sliced jalapenos.
Use a variety of colorful vegetables to add visual appeal to the dish.
Experiment with different types of protein, such as shrimp or tofu, for a change of pace.
Add some crunch to the dish by incorporating chopped nuts or seeds.
Use a variety of herbs and spices to add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
Make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for a quick and easy meal.
Reheat in the microwave or oven for a hot and satisfying meal.

What to Serve With Chicken And Zucchini Noodle Bowl

This chicken and zucchini noodle bowl is perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend lunch. Serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a green salad for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Some other ideas for serving this dish include:

Serving it with a side of brown rice or quinoa for a filling and nutritious meal.

Adding some sliced avocado or nuts for a creamy and crunchy texture.

Using it as a base for a salad, with the chicken and noodles as the main components and the vegetables and herbs as the toppings.

Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a green saladAdd some sliced avocado or nuts for a creamy and crunchy textureUse as a base for a salad, with the chicken and noodles as the main components and the vegetables and herbs as the toppingsServe with a side of brown rice or quinoa for a filling and nutritious meal

Make-Ahead, Storage, Freezing and Reheating

This chicken and zucchini noodle bowl can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use. To store in the fridge, simply place the cooked chicken and noodles in separate containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To freeze, place the cooked chicken and noodles in separate containers or freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat from frozen in the microwave or oven.

When reheating, simply microwave the bowls for 30-60 seconds, or until the chicken and noodles are hot and steaming. You can also reheat in the oven at 350 F (175 C) for 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken and noodles are hot and steaming.

Some tips for storing and reheating this dish include:

Using airtight containers to prevent moisture and other flavors from affecting the dish.

Labeling the containers with the date and contents, so you can easily keep track of what you have and how long it has been stored.

Reheating the dish to an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) to ensure food safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of soy sauce should I use?

Look for a low-sodium soy sauce that has a good balance of flavors and is made with high-quality ingredients.

Can I use different types of protein?

Yes, you can use different types of protein such as shrimp or tofu for a change of pace.

How do I store the cooked chicken and noodles?

Store the cooked chicken and noodles in separate containers in the fridge or freezer for later use.

How do I reheat the dish?

Reheat the dish in the microwave or oven until the chicken and noodles are hot and steaming.

Can I make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer?

Yes, you can make ahead and store in the fridge or freezer for a quick and easy meal.

What are some variations I can try?

Some variations you can try include adding some heat to the dish, using different types of protein, or adding some crunch with chopped nuts or seeds.

How do I prevent the zucchini noodles from becoming mushy?

Don't overcook the zucchini noodles, and use a high-quality soy sauce that has a good balance of flavors.

Can I use this recipe as a base for a salad?

Yes, you can use this recipe as a base for a salad, with the chicken and noodles as the main components and the vegetables and herbs as the toppings.

The Full Recipe

Recipe Card