Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger-Sesame Chicken
A vibrant, no-noodle stir-fry featuring tender chicken strips, zucchini ribbons, and a fragrant ginger-sesame sauce, ready in under 20 minutes. This asian-inspired one pot (gluten-free) ready in about 33 minutes pairs (sliced 1/4-inch thick) chicken breast, avocado oil, (minced) ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (sliced 1/4-inch thick) chicken breast
- 3 medium (spiralized into noodles) zucchini
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp (minced) ginger
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 (sliced, white and green parts separated) green onions
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb sliced chicken breast and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 3 medium spiralized zucchini noodles.
- Step 3: Stir-fry zucchini for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp, adding 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1 tbsp rice vinegar to deglaze.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet. Whisk together 3 tbsp coconut aminos, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar in a small bowl, then pour over chicken and zucchini.
- Step 5: Add 3 sliced green onions (white parts) and cook for 1 more minute until sauce thickens and coats ingredients, then sprinkle with green onion tops.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger-Sesame Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 33 minutes (15 min prep + 18 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 Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger-Sesame 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 avocado oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger-Sesame 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 Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger-Sesame Chicken 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 Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry with Ginger-Sesame Chicken 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
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
