From above, the vibrant golden strands of squash noodles are glistening from the chili garlic sauce, creating a warm autumn canvas. On it rest succulent pieces of chicken, garnished ambitiously with verdant cilantro leaves and chili slices. A lemon wedge on the side is waiting to be squeezed over everything, and a pair of chopsticks lay invitingly by the side.

Keto Vietnamese Spiced Chicken with Squash Noodles

Name: Keto Vietnamese Spiced Chicken with Squash Noodles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 4 boneless and skinless chicken thighs; 1 medium-sized spaghetti squash; 2 tablespoons Vietnamese chili garlic sauce; 1 lemon cut into wedges; 1 fresh chili sliced; a handful cilantro chopped; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 cloves garlic minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; to taste salt and pepper

A keto twist on Vietnamese chicken with a squash surprise

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 50 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Keto

Daily recipe · October 11, 2024

A little about this dish

Immerse yourselves in the fusion of seasonal warmth and unique inspiration from the East. Starring the tender, juicy chicken thighs, complemented by the beautiful and golden spaghetti squash and nuanced by the aromatic, spicy Vietnamese chilli garlic sauce, this dish is a Keto-friendly twist on a Vietnamese classic.

Ingredients (for 2)

Boneless and skinless chicken thighs — 4
Medium-sized spaghetti squash — 1
Vietnamese chili garlic sauce — 2 tablespoons
Lemon — 1 — cut into wedges
Fresh chili — 1 — sliced
Cilantro — a handful — chopped
Fish sauce — 2 tablespoons
Garlic — 2 cloves — minced
Olive oil — 2 tablespoons
Salt and pepper — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🔥🌡️⏱️

Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 2 — 🔪🍝🎃

Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper, place face down on a baking sheet, and roast for ~40 minutes.
Step 3 — 🍗🍶🌶️

Marinate the chicken thighs in chili garlic sauce, fish sauce, minced garlic, and the remaining olive oil. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
Step 4 — 🍳🐔🍽️

Cook the marinated chicken thighs on medium heat for 7-8 minutes on each side, rest them for a few minutes then slice into bite-sized pieces.
Step 5 — 🍴🍝⏲️

Once the squash is done, use a fork to pull its flesh into strands.
Step 6 — 🔪🌶️🍋

Place the squash strands on the plate, top with cooked chicken. Garnish the dish with fresh chili slices and cilantro. Serve with a lemon wedge.

A final fox tip

You can tweak the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili garlic sauce according to your preference. Kids can help with pulling apart the squash noodles. While the dish owes its essence to Vietnamese cuisine, it's been creatively adapted to meet keto needs. Enjoy crafting this interesting fusion!