Keto Chicken & Pesto Zoodle Salad

Keto Lunch Recipes > Keto Lunch Recipes

Elevate your lunch or dinner routine with this vibrant Keto Chicken & Pesto Zoodle Salad, a bright and nourishing twist on Mediterranean flavors. Tender, shredded chicken thighs are infused with the tangy depth of sugar-free basil pesto and paired with juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy feta cheese, creating a satisfying yet fresh ensemble. The star of the dish, zucchini noodles (zoodles), bring a crisp, veggie-forward base that captures the essence of classic pasta salads—while keeping carbs low. Tossed together with olive oil, the zoodles beautifully soak up the pesto and juices, delivering a flavorful bite in every forkful .

For those who prefer a softer texture, lightly sauté the zoodles for 1–2 minutes in a hot pan with olive oil before combining with the other ingredients—this creates a tender base without losing their vibrant green essence. Versatile and delicious, it’s perfect served fresh or as a make-ahead meal—ideal for a quick lunch or a colorful addition to your meal prep lineup. Clean, wholesome, and effortlessly satisfying, this salad proves that low-carb meals can be both easy and delicious.

Yields 3 servings of Keto Chicken & Pesto Zoodle Salad

The Preparation

  • 21 ounce boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1⁄3 cup green pesto, sugar-free
  • 5 ounce cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • 4 ounce feta cheese, crumbled or cubed
  • 12 ounce zucchini, spiralized or cut into noodles
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil

The Execution

1. Gather and prep all of your ingredients. Pat the zoodles with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Place the chicken in a pot and fill it with water until the chicken is just covered. Bring to a boil and cook the chicken through.

3. Remove the chicken from the water and shred it with a fork. Set aside.

4. Place the zoodles in a bowl and toss with the pesto.

5. Add in the chicken, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Lightly toss.

6. Add in the olive oil and toss again, tasting and seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.

7. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The leftovers taste even better!

This makes a total of 3 servings of Keto Chicken & Pesto Zoodle Salad. Each serving comes out to be 623 calories, 49g fats, 6g net carbs, and 41.8g protein.

NUTIRITION CALORIES FAT CARBS FIBER NET CARBS PROTEIN
21 ounce boneless, skinless chicken thighs 851 53.16 0 0 0 100.97
0.33 cup pesto 285 27.85 5.31 1.61 3.7 3.18
5 ounce cherry tomatoes 26 0.28 5.53 1.7 3.83 1.28
4 ounce feta cheese 299 24.13 4.64 0 4.64 16.11
12 ounce zucchini 51 1.22 9.15 3.4 5.75 3.88
3 tablespoon olive oil 358 40.5 0 0 0 0
Totals 1870 147.1 24.6 6.7 17.9 125.4
Per Serving (/3) 623 49.0 8.2 2.2 6.0 41.8

Keto Chicken & Pesto Zoodle Salad

This makes a total of 3 servings of Keto Chicken & Pesto Zoodle Salad. Each serving comes out to be 623 calories, 49g fats, 6g net carbs, and 41.8g protein.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 3 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 21 ounce boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • cup green pesto sugar-free
  • 5 ounce cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
  • 4 ounce feta cheese crumbled or cubed
  • 12 ounce zucchini spiralized or cut into noodles
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Gather and prep all of your ingredients. Pat the zoodles with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  • Place the chicken in a pot and fill it with water until the chicken is just covered. Bring to a boil and cook the chicken through.
  • Remove the chicken from the water and shred it with a fork. Set aside.
  • Place the zoodles in a bowl and toss with the pesto.
  • Add in the chicken, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Lightly toss.
  • Add in the olive oil and toss again, tasting and seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.
  • Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The leftovers taste even better!