Baked Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Juicy chicken meatballs baked to perfection, served over zucchini noodles for a satisfying, low-carb meal. This american-inspired whole30 ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground chicken, almond flour, finely chopped fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchinis
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup (Whole30-compliant, no sugar) tomato sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Combine ground chicken, 1/4 cup almond flour, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Form into 12 meatballs.
- Step 2: Place meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender. Stir in 1/4 cup tomato sauce and heat through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles?
American whole30 like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.