Italian Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Tender herb-packed chicken meatballs meet silky zucchini noodles for a fresh, cozy take on a familiar Italian favorite.
Fits Celiac, AIP, Hashimoto's and 16 more diets
Plan your dinnersGluten checks every recipe for everyone at your table. Free.
Ingredients
- 680 g ground chicken
- 4 zucchini, spiralized
- 20 g fresh basil, finely chopped
- 15 g fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 120 ml water
- ½ tsp salt
Method
- Mix chicken with herbs, ginger, garlic, and salt; shape small meatballs.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet; brown the meatballs on all sides.6 min timer
- Add water, cover, and simmer until the meatballs reach 165°F/74°C.10 min timer
- Set aside the kids' share; return those meatballs to the skillet to finish cooking.Kids’ plate comes out here
- Add zucchini noodles and cook until just tender; toss with remaining herbs.3 min timer
Kids’ plate: Chicken Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles
On the plate: Plain chicken meatballs with soft zucchini noodles, with the extra herbs left off.
Make it a game: Make a little nest of green noodles for each meatball. Pick a noodle strand to lead each one around the plate.
Set it aside at step 4, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Chicken, zucchini, herbs, garlic and olive oil; no grains, dairy, legumes or seaweed.
- Gluten-free: Chicken, fresh vegetables, herbs and olive oil, with no grain products or sauces.
- Anti-inflammatory: Olive oil, chicken, zucchini, garlic and fresh herbs, without added sugar or processed meat.
- Low-histamine: Fresh chicken, zucchini, garlic, ginger and herbs, with no aged, fermented or citrus ingredients.
- Kid (4–12): Mild chicken meatballs and soft zucchini noodles make a familiar, simple plate.
- Toddler (1–3): Small meatball pieces and soft, short zucchini noodles are easy to pick up.
Celiac check: watch for hidden gluten in soy sauce, stock, malt vinegar and seasoning blends, and oats that aren’t certified. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free to start.
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This recipe also fits: AIP recipes, Hashimoto's recipes, PCOS recipes, Anti-inflammatory recipes, Low-histamine recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, Alpha-gal recipes, Diabetes recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Heart health recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, High cholesterol recipes, Keto recipes, Low-GI recipes, Paleo recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, One pan recipes, Quick recipes, Date night recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes, Gluten-free Italian recipes.