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Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash

February 2, 2015 · by Ari ·

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

Bold, rich, nutty parmesan garlic brown butter spaghetti squash is the perfect comforting side dish. Tons of nutty, garlic-y flavor, low carb, gluten-free, and just 4 ingredients (+ salt and pepper)!

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

Welcome to the last week of my twenties. So I’m totally that person that is obsessed with my birthday. Like, on my whiteboard at school, there has been a countdown for about two weeks. I love to be celebrated, and I shamelessly love to be the center of attention. I feel like as long as I don’t become one of those people that needs any kind of attention (you know, the poor me, I’ll act crazy so people notice me types?), I refuse to become someone who feels ashamed of loving attention. Why do you think I majored in musical theatre? 😉

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

But have I mentioned how I’m spending the day of the big 3-0? Oh, you know, waking up at 3:30 am to leave on a 4am bus to a musical theatre competition in California with my students. I know. Luckily I love them, and I know it will be a fun trip, but I’d rather be drinking multiple old fashioneds with Steve and having a super sentimental birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

Ooooh, orrrrrr eating a big steak (Steve is the grill master) and a huge pile of this spaghetti squash at home. Because this dish is so freaking good, it is definitely  birthday dinner worthy. In fact, it was totally fight over the leftovers worthy, and goes down in history as a tie for my favorite thing I have ever made with spaghetti squash.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

I know, I know, with butter in the title and shots of literally pouring butter onto the food, this hardly seems like a healthy recipe, but honestly for the amount of butter per serving, it’s really not too shabby, and it is so, so, so worth it. The flavor of browned butter is so bold that a little bit goes a long way. It doesn’t hurt that the garlic is cooked in the browned butter. I diiiiie.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

This was my first time using browned butter in a savory recipe. Actually, I just used it for the first time, like at all, a couple of months ago and, well, now I get it. As a recovering butter hater, let me just say: It’s totally worth it.

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash: The ultimate healthy comfort side dish!

So dive in. Embrace the browned butter. It comes with a vegetable. 😉

Parmesan Garlic Brown Butter Spaghetti Squash
Recipe Type: Appetizer
Author: Ari Ziskin
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 50 mins
Total time: 1 hour
Serves: 8
Bold, rich, nutty parmesan garlic brown butter spaghetti squash is the perfect comforting side dish. Tons of nutty, garlic-y flavor, low carb, gluten-free, and just 4 ingredients (+ salt and pepper)!
Ingredients
  • 1 extra large (or 2 small) spaghetti squash, halved, seeded and scraped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Rub spaghetti squash with olive oil and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until fork tender–the spaghetti squash should easily come out when scraped with a fork, about 40-60 minutes, depending on size.
  2. To brown the butter melt in a medium pan over medium heat. Once butter is melted add garlic. Whisk constantly. The butter will start to foam first, then develop golden brown specs. Once you see the brown specs, turn off the heat and continue to whisk for an other 30 seconds, until butter is a nice amber color. Place on a cool surface to avoid continuing to cook and burning. The butter can burn very easily.
  3. Once spaghetti squash has finished cooking, remove the inner flesh (the spaghetti-like part) and place in a large bowl. Toss with browned butter (I recommend not adding it all at once–you may not need it all), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Serve topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.
3.2.2885

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dinner, Fall, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Low Carb, savory, Side Dish, Vegetarian, Winter · Tagged: brown butter, browned butter, butter, garlic, garlic browned butter, gluten free, gluten free spaghetti squash, low carb, parmesan, side dish, spaghetti squash, vegetarian

90+ Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

January 26, 2015 · by Ari ·

90+ Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

90+ healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner & dessert will help you with healthy meal planning for the new year with plenty of options for every meal of the day! With plenty of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, paleo & low carb options.

90+ Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

It’s January, which is every healthy food blogger’s favorite time of year! To help keep you on the healthy eating bandwagon, I’ve put together 90+ healthy recipes to get you through your day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! This way you can have tons to choose from for each meal!

Breakfast

90+ Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

 

Above photos from Healthy Seasonal Recipes & Taste, Love & Nourish

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Cranberry Almond Granola

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Gingerbread Apple Pancakes from Healthy Seasonal Recipes <—OMG that shot. Gorgeous.

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Sweet Potato Waffles from The Lean Green Bean

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

Paleo Mexican Hot Chocolate Pancakes with Salted Dulce de Leche from The Healthy Maven

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Lemon Almond Meal Scones

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Coconut Vanilla & Almond Butter Smoothie from The Housewife Training Files

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Tropical Breakfast Quinoa from Savvy Eats

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Honey Sesame Granola

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Raisin Nut Granola from Savvy Eats

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Whole Wheat Blueberry Scones from Yummy Healthy Easy


Portobello Breakfast Cups

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Coconut Almond Quinoa Granola from Taste Love & Nourish

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Berry & Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie from Eat. Drink. Love.

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Acorn Squash Egg in the Hole from The Roasted Root

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Tropical Mango Muffins from Snappy Gourmet

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Cranberry Orange Muffins from Texanerin Baking

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Chocolate Chip Banana Bran Muffins from Amy’s Healthy Baking

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Banana Maple Yogurt Parfait from Lemon Tree Dwelling

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie from The Nutritious Kitchen

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Red Potato, Bell Pepper & Spinach Breakfast Hash from Neighbor Food Blog

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Peanut Butter & Fig Granola from Keep it Sweet Desserts

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Protein Packed Pancakes from The Lemon Bowl

Lunch

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

 

Above photos from The Healthy Maven & Taste Love & Nourish

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Cranberry Apple Chicken Salad

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert Avocado Tuna Salad from The Healthy Maven

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Chicken & Chickpea Green Goddess Power Salad from Healthy Seasonal Recipes

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Copycat Panera Hummus Chicken Power Salad from Food Faith Fitness

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Guacamole Chicken Salad

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Avocado Chickpea Salad Sandwiches from Yummy Healthy Easy

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Spicy Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Garlic from The Roasted Root

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Southwest Chopped Salad with Salsa Vinaigrette from Taste Love & Nourish

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers with Cilantro Avocado Cream

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Chicken Broccoli Slaw with Spicy Peanut Dressing from Eat. Drink. Love.

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Butternut Squash & Spelt Salad with Goat Cheese & Toasted Almonds from The Lemon Bowl

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Tex Mex Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette from Eat. Drink. Love.

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Portobello Tuna Melts from Home Cooking Memories

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Southwest Quinoa Bowls

Dinner

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

Above photos from The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie & The Roasted Root

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Lasagna Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Fajita Burgers from The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Hot & Sweet Slaw with Jerk Spice Salmon from Healthy Seasonal Recipes

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
10 Minute Taco Salad

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Cider Chai Crockpot Pulled Pork from The Roasted Root <–Check out that perfect shot!

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Crockpot Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken Tacos from The Nutritious Kitchen


BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Butter Chicken  Meatballs with Spicy Masala Sauce from The Healthy Maven

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Caprese Pasta

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Shrimp and Israeli Pepper Salad from Know Your Produce

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Honey Mustard Chicken Stir Fry from Food Faith Fitness

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
French Onion Meatloaf

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Easy Baked Chicken Cacciatore from The Kitchen is My Playground

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Crockpot Curry Soup with Sweet Potato, Chicken & Kale

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Skinny Chicken Broccoli Casserole from Yummy Healthy Easy

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Buffalo Turkey Burgers

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Loaded Mediterranean Sweet Potato Fries from Neighbor Food Blog <– OMG this is SO happening!

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Skinnified “Fettuccine” Alfredo

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken with Cauliflower from The Lemon Bowl

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash from The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie


Thai Coconut Cabbage Soup from Cotter Crunch

Dessert

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

Above photos from Cook the Story & The Nutritious Kitchen

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Toasted Marshmallow Sweet Potato Ice Cream

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

Soft Hazelnut Mocha Cookies from Healthy Sweet Eats

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Blueberry Almond Tart from Healthy Seasonal Recipes

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Tart Cherry Fro-yo {with White & Dark Chocolate Chips}

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate from The Nutritious Kitchen

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies


90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Maple Peanut Clusters from The Housewife Training Files

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Healthy Chocolate Mockshake from Snappy Gourmet

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Salted Caramel Mocha Cookies

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Easy Fruit Dip: Dark Chocolate Greek Yogurt with Cinnamon & Spice from Cook the Story


Chai Spiced Coconut Cream Ice Cream
90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert

Cannoli Cups from Home Cooking Memories

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Soft & Fluffy Sugar Cookies

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Pumpkin Bread from The Lean Green Bean

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Chocolate Frosted Orange Donuts

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Paleo Cocoa Hazelnut Bread with Molasses from Cotter Crunch

90 + Healthy Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert
Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Enjoy!! Happy meal planning!

Filed Under: Breakfast, Dessert, Dinner, Lunch, Popular Posts, Roundup, savory · Tagged: breakfast, dessert, dinner, gluten free, healthy, healthy meal planning, healthy recipes, healthy roundup, low carb, lunch, meal planning, paleo, round up, roundup, vegan, vegetarian

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

December 2, 2014 · by Ari ·

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Rich and creamy chicken alfredo with ultra tender shredded chicken made in your slow cooker! This is a lightened-up version of your favorite comfort food that will leave your body and your taste buds happy!

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Are you guys ready for some creamy, dreamy, and HEALTHY Alfredo sauce? This has been my staple comfort sauce for years, and I can’t believe how long it took me to put it in a crockpot! Crockpot shredded chicken is the best. Every time. Just put any sauce you want with your chicken and cook it on low for about 5 hours and your chicken will be falling apart like magic!

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

This recipe couldn’t be easier–you can either make your sauce ahead of time, or you can throw everything into your crockpot and then remove the chicken and hit the sauce with an immersion blender (or throw it in a regular blender). Either way, you come home to a healthy, comforting dinner just waiting for you. It is seriously the best feeling.

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Today I’m guest posting over at The Lean Green Bean, so make sure to click over for the recipe!

Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Slow Cooker · Tagged: alfredo, chicken, chicken alfredo, crockpot, crockpot alfredo, gluten free, healthy, low carb, slow cooker, slow cooker alfredo

Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

March 27, 2013 · by Ari ·

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfreeSometimes I just really don’t want to make what I planned for dinner. Steve and I have been pretty good about meal planning. It gets me excited to cook dinner, keeps me from eating Chipotle for dinner every night of the week, and it’s a great opportunity to work through my recipe to do list, but sometimes I just really, really don’t want to make what I’m supposed to.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

I usually use this as an excuse to go out to dinner. Steve is realllllly good about letting me. It goes something like this:

Me: Uggghhhh, I don’t want to cook. Can we just get sandwiches from Whole Foods? Or Chipotle? Again?

Steve: Sure. Put the dogs outside.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

He is so agreeable that one. Sometimes I wish he’d be more of a jerk, and say something like “No B. Get in the kitchen and make my dinner!” Okay, actually I don’t wish he would say that. I wouldn’t mind being held a liiiiiittle more accountable though.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

So this particular night, I was supposed to make lettuce wraps. It sounded good when I wrote it on the list. I took chicken out of the freezer to thaw for it, but the night came, and I was tired, and I just didn’t feel like going to the trouble of chopping things. I really wanted to go out instead, but I gave myself a little pep talk, and before I knew what I was actually making, I was butterflying some chicken and throwing things inside.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

Excluding salt and pepper (which I don’t count as ingredients, because I think that’s silly), this recipe has a total of 3 ingredients, and an equal amount of steps to prepare it. I know a lot of people struggle with making healthy eating, especially weeknight dinners, easy and accessible.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

In fact, my friend Meryl even asked me to create a space for simpler recipes on the blog where they’d be easier to find (I plan to).

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

I wasn’t sure how this chicken would turn out since, as I said, I didn’t actually plan any of it out. I happened to have some leftover chipotle peppers in adobo sauce from this recipe, and in my house, goat cheese goes makes everything better, so I stuck them inside the chicken and crossed my fingers.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

If you want to make your life easier, browning the chicken is not mandatory, but I would highly recommend it. By giving the meat a quick sear to get it browned then transferring to the oven to cook all the way through, you get the best of both worlds–perfectly browned outside with the softest, juiciest, most tender chicken breast you will ever taste underneath.

3 Ingredient Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken #glutenfree

The biggest complaints people have about chicken breast are that it’s boring and dry. This meal is neither of those things! The chipotle peppers give it a bold, spiciness, while the goat cheese adds a comforting creaminess, and the sear-then-bake method makes for anything but dry chicken!

 

Chipotle Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

yield 2 servings

  • 2 medium chicken breasts
  • salt and pepper (a good pinch of each)
  • 2-4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped (I used 4, and it was SPICY. Use less for a more mild taste.)
  • 1 oz goat cheese, crumbled**

**If you’re looking for a dairy free option, try using half an avocado instead!

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside. Season both sides of chicken with a hefty pinch each of salt and pepper. Butterfly each chicken breast and top with peppers and goat cheese. Fold chicken back over on top of fillings.
  2. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and coat with nonstick spray (or olive oil if you prefer). Once pan is hot, carefully add chicken and sear until browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip chicken to brown the other side, about an other 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer chicken to prepared baking dish. Use a couple of toothpicks to secure the opening and keep the fillings inside. Bake in preheated oven until cooked throughout and juices run clear, about 15-20 minutes. Drizzle with extra adobo sauce if desired, and serve immediately.

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb · Tagged: adobo, chicken, chipotle, dinner, easy, gluten free, goat cheese, grain free, low carb, recipe, simple

Noodleless Chicken “Pad” Thai

January 7, 2013 · by Ari ·

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

My vacation is over. Wahhhhh. It’s been so incredibly nice having the last two weeks almost completely off. I’ve actually been cooking dinner again! You may have noticed that I actually post recipes of “real food” instead of just cookies lately (although, if you ask me, cookies are totally a suitable dinner). This is because I finally have time to cook dinner, and I haven’t been living off Chipotle and those Trader Joe’s frozen black bean and corn enchiladas. It’s been awesome.

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

I think Steve has been enjoying it too. In fact, I’ve been all kinds of domestic. Last week, I took out the entire contents of my kitchen and pantry, and then reorganized and cleaned ALL OF IT. If you haven’t been to my house, it’s possible you don’t understand what I project that was. Also, if you don’t know me, and know how much I HATE cleaning, this may not seem that odd, but it was completely out of character.

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

Steve came into the kitchen and the first words out of his mouth were “Where are you hiding the crack?” If by crack you mean coffee, then it’s on the counter….

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

So I cracked out on my kitchen, and I cooked things. It was a pretty productive two weeks for me. Also, there’s something else you need to know about me: I almost never make a meal twice. If I do, it’s either super ridiculously easy, or one of my very favorites, or both. I make this one a lot. In fact, the recipe has been up here for a while, but it’s an oldie that needed a serious update.

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

Chicken Pad Thai is one of my very favorite meals in the world. I know I’ve told you guys about how I used to think I hated Thai food, then discovered I loved it and someone told me that it was “healthy” so I believed them, and ate it like 4 x per week, but then I realized how calorie dense it is, and never ate it anymore. It was so sad. Don’t worry though, my story has a happy ending!

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

No, not that kind of happy ending. Or maybe your brain didn’t even go there? Sorry, mine did. Anyway….ever since I first made this dish, I’ve been in love. Everything you love about the bold flavors of chicken pad Thai–spicy with a slight sweetness, peanut sauce with lime and cilantro–perfection. This dish proves the true magical powers of spaghetti squash. Seriously, any meal you love that includes noodles or pasta, just sub in some spaghetti squash, and you will be hooked!

Spaghetti Squash Chicken Pad Thai #glutenfree #dairyfree

 

Obviously, I am.

 

Noodleless Chicken “Pad” Thai

  • 1 large spaghetti squash, split length wise and seeds removed
  • 2 tsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 zucchinis, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbs reduced sodium soy sauce (if you don’t eat gluten, use gluten-free)
  • 1 1/2-2 tsp chili paste
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small bunch green onion, sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Sriracha for topping (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Drizzle inside of spaghetti squash with 1 tsp olive oil and rub in with fingers. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer face down to a large roasting pan. Roast spaghetti squash for 45-60 minutes until tender.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large wok pan over medium heat, drizzle remaining 1 tsp olive oil and add yellow onion, garlic, zucchini, red pepper and snow peas. Cook 5-10 minutes until tender.  Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until all pieces of chicken are cooked throughout.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chili paste, and lime juice. Set aside.
  4. Use a fork to remove the insides of cooked spaghetti squash and transfer into wok pan. Pour sauce into pan, add lime juice and cilantro and toss all ingredients together for 2-3 minutes. Serve and top with green onions and Sriracha if desired. And if you’re like me, add even more cilantro 😉

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Paleo · Tagged: chicken, chicken pad thai, dairy free, dinner, gluten free, healthy, low carb, pad thai, recipe, spaghetti squash, thai

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