About This Recipe

Creamy, cheesy, garlicky — this dish has all the elements of classic comfort food, reimagined in a low-carb, keto-friendly way. This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini Noodles is a satisfying one-pan dinner that’s both indulgent and healthy.

The chicken is pan-seared until golden, then simmered in a rich sauce made with garlic, butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Instead of pasta, the sauce is poured over zucchini noodles, which soak up all the flavors while keeping the dish light and carb-free. The result? A creamy, hearty dinner that feels like something you’d order at an Italian restaurant — but it’s keto and made in your own kitchen.

From a keto perspective, this dish is a dream: plenty of protein from the chicken, satisfying fats from butter and cream, and just a handful of carbs from the zucchini. It’s a perfect balance of flavor and nutrition that will keep you full and energized without knocking you out of ketosis.

Inspired by classic Italian cream sauces, this recipe proves that going keto doesn’t mean giving up pasta night — it just means swapping the noodles for something fresher and lighter.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, creamy garlic butter sauce with big flavor
Low-carb swap for pasta night
High in protein and healthy fats, keto-approved
One-pan dinner, easy cleanup
Feels indulgent but fits perfectly into keto

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
Salt & pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Add heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Return chicken to the pan, stirring to coat in the creamy sauce.
Add zucchini noodles and toss gently for 2–3 minutes until just tender.
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: ~420
Fat: 32g
Protein: 28g
Net Carbs: 5g
Fiber: 2g

FAQ

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes — thighs stay extra juicy and work great in this recipe.

Will the zucchini noodles get soggy?
Cook them quickly and add just before serving to keep them firm.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Swap cream for coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Can I meal prep this?
The sauce and chicken reheat well, but make zucchini noodles fresh for best texture.

Variations & Substitutions

Swap zucchini noodles for spaghetti squash.
Add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra veggies.
Use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a side salad for extra freshness.
Pair with roasted broccoli or asparagus.
Enjoy with keto garlic bread for a full Italian-style dinner.

Recipe Card

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini Noodles

Name: Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Low Carb / Keto
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 tbsp olive oil or butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp butter (for sauce); 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles; Salt & pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Tender chicken in a rich garlic butter cream sauce tossed with fresh zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly, low-carb dinner that's comforting and delicious.

Yield: 4 servings • Prep: 10 min • Cook: 20 min • Total: 30 min

Ingredients

1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
Salt & pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Add heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Return chicken to the pan, stirring to coat in the creamy sauce.
Add zucchini noodles and toss gently for 2–3 minutes until just tender.
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 420
Fat: 32 g
Protein: 28 g
Net Carbs: 5 g
Fiber: 2 g

Dinner • Low Carb / Keto • keto chicken recipes, zucchini noodles keto, garlic butter chicken, creamy keto dinner

Final Thoughts

Loved this Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini Noodles? Save the recipe on Pinterest, share it on Instagram, and check out my other keto dinner recipes for more comfort food made low-carb!