If you’re craving a fresh, flavorful dinner that comes together in a snap, you are going to love this 15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Recipe. It’s the perfect harmony of tender chicken coated in a glossy homemade teriyaki sauce, paired with crisp, spiralized zucchini noodles that keep things light and vibrant. This dish brings the best of Asian-inspired flavors without the fuss—and all in just 15 minutes! It’s truly a weeknight game-changer that feels indulgent but leaves you feeling great.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential to achieving the bright, sweet-savory flavor profile and delightful texture that make this dish so irresistible. Each item plays its part in balancing the depth of the teriyaki sauce with the freshness of the zoodles.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless for quick cooking and tender bites.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and is perfect for sautéing the chicken evenly.
- Zucchini: Spiralized to create light, crunchy noodles that soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Cornstarch: Key for thickening the teriyaki sauce into that perfect glossy glaze.
- Scallions: Fresh and mild, they add a pop of color and a hint of oniony brightness.
- Brown sugar: Adds warm, caramel notes that balance the savory soy.
- Soy sauce: The salty umami base of the teriyaki; pick a good-quality one for the best flavor.
- Honey: Offers natural sweetness and helps thicken and shine up the sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the sauce with punchy aromatics.
- Water: Just enough to loosen the sauce and help the cornstarch activate.
- Pepper: To taste—provides gentle heat and balances the sweetness.
How to Make 15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Start by prepping your chicken into bite-sized pieces, so they cook quickly and evenly. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken. Stir frequently to get a lovely sear on all sides while ensuring the chicken cooks thoroughly in about 5 to 7 minutes. This is crucial—not only will the chicken be juicy and tender, but it’s the foundation that carries all those delicious teriyaki flavors.
Step 2: Prepare the Zoodles and Sauce
While your chicken is cooking, spiralize your zucchini to create those crisp, refreshing noodles. Next, whisk together the teriyaki sauce ingredients—brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and water—in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water—this will thicken the sauce later. Chop your scallions now too, so they’re ready for garnish or mixing in at the end.
Step 3: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, lower the heat to medium and pour in your teriyaki sauce and the cornstarch slurry. Stir gently but continuously so every bite of chicken gets coated in that gorgeous glossy sauce. Let it bubble gently for a minute or two—the cornstarch will thicken it quickly into a luscious glaze that clings perfectly to each piece.
Step 4: Toss in the Zoodles
Add your zucchini noodles straight to the skillet and use tongs to toss everything together. The key here is to warm them through, not cook them for too long; zucchini noodles release water quickly and can become watery if left too long on the heat. Just a couple of minutes, tossed often, until they’re tender-crisp and well coated in the sauce will do the trick.
Step 5: Plate and Serve
Now comes the best part—serve up your beautiful teriyaki chicken and zoodles immediately. Sprinkle the chopped scallions on top for a fresh, zingy finish and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh with every bite.
How to Serve 15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes elevate this dish effortlessly. Finely sliced scallions add that mild onion freshness and a lovely pop of green. For an added crunch, toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts are fantastic. If you like a subtle heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil will do wonders without overpowering the delicate teriyaki flavors.
Side Dishes
Because this dish is already packed with protein and veggies, consider light, complementary sides. A crisp Asian-style cucumber salad or some steamed edamame with a pinch of sea salt are fresh and clean options. If you want something a bit heartier, a small serving of jasmine rice or brown rice on the side helps soak up any extra sauce and rounds out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual lunch, serve the teriyaki chicken zoodles in colorful bowls right from the skillet. If you want to impress guests, try layering the zoodles at the base of a shallow dish, topping with the chicken, then artistically scatter garnishes across the top. You can even serve it in coconut bowls or inside halved bell peppers for a fun twist that adds a burst of color and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover 15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Recipe will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because zucchini noodles can release water when stored, store the chicken and zoodles separately if possible to help maintain texture.
Freezing
This dish is best enjoyed fresh because zucchini noodles don’t freeze well—they become mushy and watery when thawed. If you want to freeze part of it, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce without the zoodles, then spiralize fresh zucchini when ready to eat.
Reheating
When reheating leftovers, toss the chicken and sauce gently over low heat just until warmed through. Add fresh spiralized zucchini noodles to keep that crisp texture or warm your leftovers briefly in the microwave and then freshen with a quick sauté of new zoodles for the best results.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option for a juicier, more flavorful bite. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and adjust cooking time to ensure they’re cooked through.
What if I don’t have a spiralizer for the zucchini?
No worries! You can use a vegetable peeler to create thin zucchini ribbons or even buy pre-spiralized zucchini from many grocery stores—it’s all about convenience and texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be, if you swap out regular soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Replace the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, and swap honey for maple syrup or agave to keep it vegan-friendly. The cooking steps remain the same and the flavor is just as delightful.
How do I prevent the zoodles from getting soggy?
Cook the zoodles only briefly in the skillet just until warmed through, tossing constantly. Overcooking or adding them too early can cause them to release too much water and become limp.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this 15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Recipe, it will quickly become one of your trusted go-to meals for busy days. It’s quick, fresh, absolutely delicious, and packed with smart flavor combinations that never get old. So grab your spiralizer, whip up this dish tonight, and enjoy a satisfying meal that feels like you put in way more effort than just 15 minutes.
Print
15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This 15 Minute Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles recipe is a quick and healthy meal featuring tender chicken breast pieces cooked in a homemade teriyaki sauce, served over fresh zucchini noodles. Perfect for a low-carb, flavorful dinner, the dish combines savory, sweet, and garlicky notes with a satisfying texture without the heaviness of traditional noodles.
Ingredients
Chicken and Zoodles
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium zucchini, spiralized on medium setting
- Scallions, chopped, to taste
Teriyaki Sauce
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons water
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Seasoning
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep and Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and olive oil to a large skillet. Stir to coat the chicken evenly with oil. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked but not overdone.
- Prepare Zoodles and Sauce: While the chicken cooks, spiralize the zucchini and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and water to make the teriyaki sauce. In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Chop scallions if using.
- Combine Sauce with Chicken: When the chicken is nearly done, reduce heat to medium and add the teriyaki sauce and cornstarch slurry to the skillet. Stir well to coat the chicken. Let the mixture come to a gentle bubble and thicken for 1-2 minutes.
- Add and Toss Zoodles: Add the spiralized zucchini noodles to the skillet. Using tongs, toss the zoodles continuously with the teriyaki chicken to warm through and combine flavors. Cook for only 1-2 minutes to prevent the zoodles from becoming limp or watery as they release water.
- Serve: Serve the teriyaki chicken zoodles immediately, sprinkling chopped scallions over the top for garnish if desired. Enjoy your quick and healthy meal!
Notes
- Do not overcook the zucchini noodles to avoid sogginess; just warm them through quickly.
- You can adjust sweetness or soy sauce levels based on preference.
- Use a sturdy spiralizer for even zucchini noodles.
- Chicken can be substituted with tofu or shrimp for variation.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
