Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

Golden-brown chicken thighs with vibrant bell peppers and zucchini ribbons, tossed in a tangy coconut aminos glaze for a satisfying weeknight meal. This asian-inspired whole30 (low-carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, zucchini, bell peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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.

Is this Whole30 compliant? Browse the full Whole30 Recipes — Compliant Dinners You Will Actually Cook collection — grouped by crockpot, meal prep, and 30-minute dinners, with a free 7-day plan. Or jump straight to the free 7-Day Whole30 Meal Plan (Free, With the Shopping List) — the first three days are open, no email needed.
Cooking for picky eaters? Browse the full Easy Kid-Friendly Dinner Recipes for Picky Eaters collection — grouped by crockpot, meal prep, and 30-minute dinners, with a free 7-day plan. Or jump straight to the free 7 Dinners Your Picky Eater Will Actually Eat — the first three days are open, no email needed.
Counting net carbs? Browse the full Keto Recipes — Low-Carb Dinners Under 10g Net Carbs collection — grouped by crockpot, meal prep, and 30-minute dinners, with a free 7-day plan. Or jump straight to the free 7-Day Keto Meal Plan — Dinners Under 10g Net Carbs — the first three days are open, no email needed.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 420 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

12 oz (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs
3 medium (spiralized into noodles) zucchini
1.5 cups (1 red, 1 yellow, thinly sliced) bell peppers
3 tbsp coconut aminos
1 tbsp (minced) ginger
2 cloves (minced) garlic
2 tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp sesame seeds

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry and season with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Sear chicken skin-side down for 8 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 6 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and let rest.
Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil. Sauté bell peppers for 4 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp, then add ginger and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing constantly, until tender-crisp and lightly charred on edges. Stir in coconut aminos and cook 1 minute until slightly thickened.
Step 4: Slice chicken and toss with zucchini stir-fry. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 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 Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry 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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry 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 Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles low-carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.