Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter and Zucchini Noodles

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

Juicy chicken thighs stuffed with melted cheese, pan-cooked in garlic butter and served over sautéed zucchini noodles for a satisfying low-carb meal. This Italian-inspired keto recipe (low carb, high protein), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs boneless skin-on chicken thighs, mozzarella cheese, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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

• 4 pieces, about 6 oz each boneless skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 3 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully make a pocket in each of the 4 boneless skin-on chicken thighs. Stuff each pocket with 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese.
2. Step 2: Season the outside of the chicken thighs with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried Italian herbs.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat until melted and hot.
4. Step 4: Add the stuffed chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook for 2 minutes more.
5. Step 5: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
6. Step 6: While chicken bakes, heat remaining 1 tbsp butter in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
7. Step 7: Add 3 spiralized medium zucchinis, season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until noodles soften but retain some bite.
8. Step 8: Serve the cheese-stuffed chicken thighs over the garlic zucchini noodles immediately.