Zucchini noodles were invented in 2009 by a diabetic chef who couldn't afford a spiralizer and used a vegetable peeler instead.
Garlic Sesame Chicken Zucchini Bowls
Dive into a delightful dish with our Garlic Sesame Chicken Zucchini Bowls, where tender chicken meets crisp zucchini in a savory garlic sauce. Whip this protein-packed, fiber-rich meal up in just 20 minutes—ideal for those busy weeknights when you crave something nourishing yet quick! Get ready to savor every bite of this vibrant, flavor-packed bowl!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- 6 garlic cloves, mashed
- 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped (about 8)
- 3 zucchini, diced
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 lb ground chicken (I like thigh meat) (454 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(7)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (79.9 ml)
- 1 tb olive oil
- 1 tsp olive oil (5 ml)
- 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice, cooked (360 ml)
- 3 tb rice vinegar
- 2 tb toasted sesame oil
- 3 tb tomato paste
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (2.5 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari (79.9 ml)tamari
📦Other(1)
- 1 tb toasted sesame seeds
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside.
- 2
Preheat oven to 400F. Dice zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to one large baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil on top, toss and add a pinch of salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes, mixing at the halfway point, then broil for 2 minutes at the end to get some slightly crispy edges.
- 3
Remove the zucchini from the oven and let cool. While the zucchini is in the oven, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, tomato paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- 4
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the ground chicken, breaking it down into tiny pieces. Once the chicken is cooked through, pour in the sauce. Continue to cook until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- 5
Stir in the green onions and sesame seeds. Remove from heat and assemble bowls, with the rice on the bottom, roasted zucchini on one side, and the chicken on the other side. Garnish with additional green onion and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Roast zucchini at exactly 400°F for 15-20 minutes because higher temps cause cellular breakdown and mushiness, while lower temps won't drive off enough moisture (zucchini is 95% water).technique400°F, 15-20 minutes
- ✓Break ground chicken into pieces smaller than 1/4 inch using a wooden spoon or potato masher because larger pieces won't absorb the sauce properly due to reduced surface area.technique<1/4 inch pieces
- ✓Add sesame oil to the sauce mixture rather than cooking with it because sesame oil has a smoke point of only 350°F and will turn bitter when heated in the skillet.ingredient350°F smoke point
- ✓Cook the sauce-chicken mixture until liquid reduces by 80-90% so the starch from tomato paste creates a glossy glaze that clings to the meat instead of pooling in the bowl.timing80-90% reduction
- ✓Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes at medium heat before adding to release volatile oils and increase nuttiness by 300% compared to raw seeds.technique2-3 minutes, medium heat
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Zucchini noodles were invented in 2009 by a diabetic chef who couldn't afford a spiralizer and used a vegetable peeler instead.
Garlic Sesame Chicken Zucchini Bowls
Dive into a delightful dish with our Garlic Sesame Chicken Zucchini Bowls, where tender chicken meets crisp zucchini in a savory garlic sauce. Whip this protein-packed, fiber-rich meal up in just 20 minutes—ideal for those busy weeknights when you crave something nourishing yet quick! Get ready to savor every bite of this vibrant, flavor-packed bowl!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(3)
- 6 garlic cloves, mashed
- 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped (about 8)
- 3 zucchini, diced
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 lb ground chicken (I like thigh meat) (454 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(7)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (79.9 ml)
- 1 tb olive oil
- 1 tsp olive oil (5 ml)
- 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice, cooked (360 ml)
- 3 tb rice vinegar
- 2 tb toasted sesame oil
- 3 tb tomato paste
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (2.5 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari (79.9 ml)tamari
📦Other(1)
- 1 tb toasted sesame seeds
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside.
- 2
Preheat oven to 400F. Dice zucchini into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to one large baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil on top, toss and add a pinch of salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes, mixing at the halfway point, then broil for 2 minutes at the end to get some slightly crispy edges.
- 3
Remove the zucchini from the oven and let cool. While the zucchini is in the oven, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, tomato paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- 4
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the ground chicken, breaking it down into tiny pieces. Once the chicken is cooked through, pour in the sauce. Continue to cook until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- 5
Stir in the green onions and sesame seeds. Remove from heat and assemble bowls, with the rice on the bottom, roasted zucchini on one side, and the chicken on the other side. Garnish with additional green onion and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Roast zucchini at exactly 400°F for 15-20 minutes because higher temps cause cellular breakdown and mushiness, while lower temps won't drive off enough moisture (zucchini is 95% water).technique400°F, 15-20 minutes
- ✓Break ground chicken into pieces smaller than 1/4 inch using a wooden spoon or potato masher because larger pieces won't absorb the sauce properly due to reduced surface area.technique<1/4 inch pieces
- ✓Add sesame oil to the sauce mixture rather than cooking with it because sesame oil has a smoke point of only 350°F and will turn bitter when heated in the skillet.ingredient350°F smoke point
- ✓Cook the sauce-chicken mixture until liquid reduces by 80-90% so the starch from tomato paste creates a glossy glaze that clings to the meat instead of pooling in the bowl.timing80-90% reduction
- ✓Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes at medium heat before adding to release volatile oils and increase nuttiness by 300% compared to raw seeds.technique2-3 minutes, medium heat