Cashew Chicken Zoodles
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These chicken zoodles are a quick and healthy low-carb meal for busy weeknights. Zucchini noodles and carrots are tossed with juicy chicken in a creamy cashew sauce. This easy one-pot meal is both filling and satisfying, and it's ready in just 20 minutes!
For another delicious and nutritious zucchini noodle recipe, try our spicy sesame zoodles!
If you're craving a good dose of veggies but don't feel like a salad, put these cashew chicken zoodles on your menu. The zucchini noodles are super easy to make, and when they're tossed in the irresistible cashew sauce, you won't care that you're not eating real pasta. Feel free to switch up the protein, or use tofu for a vegetarian version of this satisfying gluten-free meal!
Ingredients notes
This chicken zoodles recipe is loaded with healthy veggies and the creamy cashew sauce is completely dairy-free!
- Chicken: we use boneless chicken thighs, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces.
- Zucchinis: firm, medium-sized zucchinis tend to work best for making zoodles. Try to avoid the really large summer zucchinis with watery centers.
- Cashew butter: cashew butter is the base of the luscious sauce, and has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor. Almond butter makes a great alternative.
- Roasted cashews: we use roasted unsalted cashews, but you can use raw cashews if that's what you have on hand.
- Other ingredients you need are: avocado oil (or olive oil), carrots, fresh cilantro, chicken stock, soy sauce (use gluten-free if necessary), hot chili sauce, honey, lime juice, and garlic.
How to make chicken zoodles
Chicken and zoodles is a quick 20-minute meal that's perfect for busy weeknights, or anytime you're craving something healthy. Let's make it!
- Heat your pan or large skillet, and cook the chicken until it's no longer pink.
- While it cooks, spiralize your veggies into noodles. If you have an extra minute, gather your sauce ingredients.
- Remove the pan from the stove, push the chicken to one side, and use the other side to stir all the sauce ingredients together.
- Dial up the heat, add the zucchini noodles and carrots, toss everything together, and season with a pinch of sea salt (if desired). Top with the cashews and fresh cilantro, and serve. Yum!
How to make zoodles
Making zucchini noodles is easy to do, and you don't need a fancy spiralizer to make them. You can also use a julienne peeler, or a mandolin. We find our spiralizer is great for firmer root vegetables, but we love our julienne peeler on softer veggies like zucchini.
What to serve with chicken zoodles
These chicken zoodles are an all-in-one meal loaded with veggies and protein. Enjoy them on their own or serve them with our favorite coconut rice for a heartier meal. They also pair well with other Thai or Asian-inspired dishes like our fresh spring rolls, or chili lime shrimp.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make the zucchini noodles in advance?
Yes! Meal-prepping zucchini noodles makes this meal come together even quicker. Spiralize them and store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days until you're ready to use them.
How do I store leftover zoodles?
These chicken zoodles taste best right away, but you can store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Leftover zoodles taste great, warm or cold.
Can I use a different protein?
Definitely! It's easy to swap the protein in this dish. Use shrimp, fish, beef, or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Can I use other vegetables for the noodles?
Sure! This recipe is versatile, and you can use other root vegetables, such as butternut squash, turnips, or beets.
Chicken Zoodles Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 4 boneless chicken thighs (or 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 medium zucchinis (spiralized)
- 2 medium carrots (spiralized)
- Ā½ cup roasted cashews
- Ā¼ cup chopped cilantro
The Sauce
- Ā½ cup chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons cashew butter (can sub almond butter)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free, if needed)
- 1 teaspoon hot chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Juice from 1 lime
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.1 teaspoon avocado oil, 4 boneless chicken thighs
- While the chicken is cooking, spiralize the zucchinis and carrots.2 medium zucchinis, 2 medium carrots
- When the chicken is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and push the chicken to one side of the pan. Add all the sauce ingredients to the pan and stir them together.Ā½ cup chicken stock, 4 tablespoons cashew butter, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon hot chili sauce, 1 teaspoon honey, Juice from 1 lime, 2 cloves garlic
- Put the pan back on the heat and stir the chicken through the sauce. Once the sauce thickens (about 1 min) add the veggie noodles to the pan and toss to coat them in the sauce. Let them cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they start to soften. Toss with the cashews and cilantro and serve right away.Ā½ cup roasted cashews, Ā¼ cup chopped cilantro
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our chicken recipes!
I was hesitant to believe this would only be 20 mins and felt brave attempting it while my newborn napped and toddler played but it really did come together easily. Great flavor too! Ā Feeling impressed (given the baby) I got such a healthy dinner on the table!!Ā
Never had zoodles before, I was excited to try this and it did not disappoint! The sauce is really good and everything blends well. I used 2 packs of frozen zoodles since I don’t (yet) have a spiralizer and that worked fine for us. Husband said he would eat this again and I agree, it was fairly quick, yummy, and healthy š
Easy and delicious! Ā Will definitely make again. Often! Ā Is easily worthy of serving to company, too. Ā Sauce is amazing. Ā Delicious! Ā Will be great with other proteins, too (shrimp, beef, tofu, or veggie only)āthis recipe will be a regular go-to for us! Ā Friends are loving it, too. Ā Thank you for posting it.Ā
That’s so great to hear, Talia!
I’ve made this a few times now and it’s fantastic! Very quick and easy to make, tastes delicious, and healthy to boot. Thank you for this great recipe š
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! Thank you for coming back to comment!
This recipe was really great. It took me longer than 20 min, but my one year old and dog may have something to do with that. My husband also loved it. I did half the veggies, served it over whole wheat spaghetti, and also some chopped celery for more crunch. I will definitely put this in my meal circulation!
Thank you!
That sauce!!! That sounds sooo good!
It is really good!!
It was easy, quick, and dang good!! Made it last week, and my husband wanted me to make it again for the following week.
I’m so happy to hear you and your husband liked the recipe!!
I’ve found a new favorite chicken zoodles recipe! The creamy sauce is amazing. Can’t wait to see what other zoodles recipes you come up with!
I’ll have to get to work then!
Really want to try this. What did you use for hot chili sauce? Thank you!
When I made this to take the pictures I used Lee Kum Kee’s Chili Garlic Sauce. Sambal Oelek or even sriracha would work, too. š
Looks yummy!
Thanks! It is really good. š
I made this and we loved it. Totally delicious. I always love zoodles but I hadn’t made carrot noodles before (I don’t know why not!). Anyway it was all really tasty and I loved the cashew sauce. My kids wanted more so it’s a winner in our house!
I’m so happy everyone enjoyed it! And so awesome that your kids gobbled it up too!!
OMG I love these zoodles! The cashew sauce is so good. We used some leftover grilled chicken we had in the fridge which made it even easier to make.
Good call on the grilled chicken! I bet that was amazing!!
I made this last night and it’s amazing! It felt light but I was totally full after. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so happy you like the recipe!!
Yum Kristen! I adore zoodles.. and any veggie noodles. I actually usually just enjoy them raw, but I am going to have to try this recipe with this amazing cashew sauce!
They’re the best, aren’t thy?!!
We are allergic to cashews as well as hazelnuts. Would almond butter be as decadent? Open to suggestions
Yep … almond butter makes a great alternative!
I would really appreciate the fats, carbs etc broken down. I donāt eat anything where I donāt know what Iām eating. Plus, I delete everything since I canāt use the recipe
Thanks for your patience with this, Mary! We’ve got it in there now!