Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic-Infused Zucchini Noodles

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs coated in a crispy herb crust, served over sautéed zucchini noodles for a low-carb meal bursting with Mediterranean flavors. This mediterranean-inspired keto (gluten-free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, dried thyme 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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder to coat evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken skin-side down, and sear for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken, transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F oven, and roast for 20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: While chicken cooks, spiralize 2 medium zucchini into noodles, then heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Add zucchini noodles to the pan, toss for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve alongside chicken.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic-Infused Zucchini Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic-Infused 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic-Infused 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 Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic-Infused 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 Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic-Infused Zucchini Noodles gluten-free?

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

What others are saying

Related recipes