Cheddar-Stuffed Keto Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Juicy chicken meatballs stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese, served over spiralized zucchini noodles tossed in garlic butter for a comforting low-carb dinner. This american-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground chicken, large egg, almond flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 4 oz, cut into 1/2-inch cubes sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium (about 12 oz) zucchini
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground chicken, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup almond flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, mixing gently until combined.
- Step 2: Form mixture into 8 equal portions, flatten each into a patty and place a 1/2-inch cube of 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese in the center, then wrap the meat around the cheese to form sealed meatballs.
- Step 3: Arrange meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 4: While meatballs bake, spiralize 2 medium zucchinis into noodles and set aside.
- Step 5: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter, add zucchini noodles and sauté gently for 3 minutes until tender but not soggy.
- Step 6: Season zucchini noodles with a pinch of sea salt and toss with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 7: Serve the cheddar-stuffed chicken meatballs on a bed of buttery zucchini noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Cheddar-Stuffed Keto Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Cheddar-Stuffed Keto 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 Cheddar-Stuffed Keto 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 Cheddar-Stuffed Keto 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.
Is Cheddar-Stuffed Keto Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.