Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic-Sage Chicken

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light yet satisfying dinner featuring spiralized zucchini coated in a garlicky sage butter sauce with tender chicken pieces. This american-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 27 minutes pairs medium zucchini, chicken thighs, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 1, 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.

★ 4.1 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 1 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Spiralize zucchini into noodles using a julienne peeler, then pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add butter and sage leaves to the same skillet, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add zucchini noodles to the skillet and toss gently with tongs for 2-3 minutes until tender but still crisp, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, coating in the sage-garlic butter sauce, and cook for 1 minute more to heat through.

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 Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic-Sage Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic-Sage Chicken?

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 medium zucchini from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic-Sage Chicken?

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 Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic-Sage Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Sautéed Zucchini Noodles with Garlic-Sage Chicken 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes