Annnnddd we’re kicking zucchini week day 3 off with some bangin’ baked chicken parmesan smothered in a ridiculously delish tomato basil sauce and served over zucchini noodles! Are you down?
…OR ARE YOU DOWN?
Sorry, all caps — just really excited here.
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So, this recipe came to me just in time for zucchini week. It’s actually slightly adapted my good friend Ali’s new cookbook Inspiralize Everything, which I’m currently obsessing over like a child who enjoys Dairy Queen for the first time. I can’t stop making recipes from this beautiful book and yes guys, I’m pretty sure Ali’s convinced me that you truly can spiralize just about everything.
There are so many more recipes I intend to make from the spiralized Loaded Potatoes with BBQ Sauce (hello football parties) to the California Roll Sushi Bowl (OMG it has a ginger peanut dressing). Please buy the book so you can enjoy these with me too.
Now let’s discuss this HEALTHY baked chicken parmesan, shall we?
Almond meal: The chicken is breaded with almond meal & spices instead of the traditional breadcrumbs. This not only makes it a gluten free dish, but also perfect for those wanting to enjoy a lower carb meal. The chicken also stays lovely and tender thanks to the moisture from the almond meal, yet it crisps up on the outside. Magical, right?
Zucchini Noodles: Yes, yes, yes! Have you tried zucchini noodles yet? I freaking love them. Yes, you’ll need a spiralizer to create them and I highly recommend Ali’s Inspiralizer with various blades — truly a staple kitchen appliance in my house. P.S. If you’re not into zucchini noodles, try this meal with spiralized sweet potatoes instead!
Tomato basil sauce: This sauce is one of my favorites because of the bright, zingy flavor with just a touch of sweetness thanks to fresh basil and garlic.
This baked chicken parmesan meal makes for a killer date night dinner or couple’s night in. I am OBSESSED and love that I can feel good about noshing on this better for you version.
Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Ali’s new book here!
Thanks so much for being with me here for zucchini week. Hope you are loving it — be sure to check back the rest of the week for more delicious zucchini recipes! xo!
Monday: Allergy Friendly Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread GF & V
Tuesday: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Zucchini Oat Cookies V
More zucchini recipes to try
- Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Meat Sauce
- Low Carb Chicken Zucchini Enchilada Bake
- One Pan Sazon Skillet Chicken
- One Pan Enchilada Zucchini Turkey Meatballs and Rice
- Spiced Apple Zucchini Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Get all of my zucchini recipes here!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles (gluten free!)
Ingredients
- For the bread crumbs:
- 2/3 cup almond meal
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 large egg
- 4 (4oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- For the sauce:
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste (no salt added is best)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more if necessary
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 zucchini, spiralized and noodles trimmed (use Blade D)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Set up your dredging station. On a large plate, combine all the ingredients for the bread crumbs and stir to combine. Beat the egg in a shallow medium bowl. Set the dishes side by side. Working one piece at a time, dip the chicken first in the egg and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Then dip it in the bread crumbs, turning to coat and pressing to adhere. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink.
- While the chicken bakes, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once oil is hot, add in onion, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for a few minutes or until onions begin to soften. Next add in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, basil, dried oregano, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Transfer half of the sauce to a medium bowl and set aside, reserving the remainder in the skillet over low heat.
- Once chicken is done cooking, remove the baking sheet from the oven and pour sauce from the bowl over the chicken. Top each piece with 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts.
- Return the skillet with the remaining sauce to medium high heat. Add the zucchini noodles and cook for about 5 minutes or until al dente. Divide the noodles among four plates. Top with chicken. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Recipe slightly adapted from Inspiralize Everything!
Oooo yum! I was never a chicken parm person because it was always too heavy for me, but this looks like the perfect balance of boldness and flavor! 🙂
love the sound of using almond meal for breading! especially because it adds a touch more protein to the dish.
I love chicken parmesan and this healthy version looks amazing Monique! Loving zucchini week 🙂
This was really good but the Oregano is REALLY overpowering. Did you mean a Tablespoon or teaspoon?
No it is a tablespoon of dried oregano. I’ve never had an issue with it being overpowering, but maybe I just love oregano. Anyway, please feel free to decrease next time!
Love this new recipes!!
<3 I will be making these, I have saved the recipe, thank you 🙂
the only omissions was the mozzarella cheese and the fennel seeds. everything else was made exactly as listed. this is delicious. the chicken is great!
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I use jarred tomato sauce (I had some in the fridge that needed to be used up) but I bet it’s even tastier with the homemade sauce. Husband went back for seconds!
Amazing! So glad you both enjoyed 🙂
Would almond flour work instead of almond meal? Thanks!
Yes!
Why would you leave the sodium content (per serving) out of the Nutr. Info., since many of us watch our sodium intake? In this case, I’m going to leave out all additional salt, b/c of the sodium in the diced tomatoes & the cheeses. I’m sure this will STILL be super tasty.
Sodium really varies depending on brands that people use (such as canned diced tomatoes), which is why I leave it out. This should still be delicious!
Made without parm and still enjoyed the chicken! Will def try again!