When you’re craving something savory, creamy, and comforting but want to keep it on the lighter side, Peanut Chicken Zucchini Noodles are a perfect choice. This dish is a wholesome alternative to takeout, full of fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and a rich peanut sauce that clings to every strand of zucchini noodles. It’s quick to make, easy to customize, and so satisfying that you won’t miss traditional noodles at all.
The combination of lean chicken and zucchini makes this dish protein-packed and low in carbs, while the creamy peanut sauce brings everything together with a balance of salty, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. It’s a meal that feels indulgent while still being nourishing.
Ingredients
2 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or lime juice
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
1/4 cup warm water (to thin the sauce as needed)
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the zucchini noodles using a spiralizer or buy pre-spiralized zucchini from the store. Set aside.
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar or lime juice, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until smooth, adding warm water gradually to reach your desired sauce consistency. Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir until coated with the peanut sauce. Add the zucchini noodles and toss gently to combine, cooking for only 1 to 2 minutes. The goal is to warm the zucchini noodles without making them too soft, so they retain a pleasant bite.
Serve immediately, topped with chopped peanuts and sliced green onions.
This dish is delicious on its own, but you can easily adapt it to suit your taste. Add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas for extra crunch and color. You can also swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or beef for a different twist. For a spicier version, add extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
Storage is best when the components are kept separate. Cooked chicken with sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Zucchini noodles are best made fresh, as they release water when stored, but you can keep them in a sealed container lined with paper towels for up to two days. Reheat the chicken and sauce in a skillet, then toss with fresh zucchini noodles just before serving for the best texture.
Peanut Chicken Zucchini Noodles are a great example of how healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland or boring. The creamy peanut sauce, tender chicken, and fresh zucchini come together in a dish that feels both comforting and vibrant. It’s quick enough for a weeknight meal, yet tasty enough to serve guests when you want to impress with something unique and flavorful.