Lightened-Up Chicken Parmesan over Zucchini Noodles (Printable Version)

Crispy baked chicken with marinara and mozzarella over spiralized zucchini for a lighter Italian-inspired meal.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 5 oz each)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

04 - 1/2 cup almond flour
05 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 large egg, beaten

→ Topping

09 - 1 cup marinara sauce, low-sugar preferred
10 - 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

→ Zucchini Noodles

13 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - In a shallow dish, combine almond flour, grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian herbs, and garlic powder.
04 - Dip each chicken breast into beaten egg, then dredge thoroughly in the almond flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure coating adheres properly.
05 - Arrange coated chicken breasts on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Remove chicken from oven. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each breast and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese. Return to oven for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - While chicken bakes, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spiralized zucchini noodles, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until tender but still firm.
08 - Divide zucchini noodles among four plates. Top each portion with one baked chicken breast and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • A healthier, gluten-free twist on a classic Italian-American favorite.
  • High in protein with 41g per serving and only 10g of carbohydrates.
  • Quick enough for weeknights, with a total time of only 50 minutes.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the zucchini noodles; 2-3 minutes is all they need to stay tender without becoming soggy.
  • Patting the chicken dry before coating is essential for getting the almond flour to stick properly.
  • Use a low-sugar marinara sauce to keep the carbohydrates to a minimum.
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