Description
Cheesy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a delicious and healthy dinner option featuring tender zucchini filled with a savory mixture of shredded chicken, sautéed onions, garlic, tangy low sugar BBQ sauce, and melted sharp cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection, these zucchini boats are a perfect low-carb, flavorful meal that your whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Boats
- 4 medium zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise
- Olive oil, for greasing pan and brushing zucchini
Filling
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 pound (about 2 1/2 cups) cooked shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup low sugar BBQ sauce (such as Stubb’s Spicy BBQ Sauce), plus more for topping as desired
- 1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Zucchini Boats: Slice the zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the centers, leaving about a 1/4-inch rim to hold the filling. Place the zucchini halves in the greased baking pan and brush them lightly with olive oil.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced red onion and minced garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix Filling: In a bowl, combine the sautéed onions and garlic with the shredded chicken, 1 cup of BBQ sauce, and about 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Fill the Zucchini Boats: Spoon the chicken mixture evenly into each zucchini boat. Top each filled zucchini with a drizzle of additional BBQ sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover the baking pan with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the zucchini is tender but not mushy.
- Serve: Remove the foil and garnish the stuffed zucchini boats with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Choose zucchinis that are uniform in size for even cooking.
- You can use rotisserie chicken for a quicker prep time.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, use a spicy BBQ sauce or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- Feel free to substitute sharp cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for different flavor profiles.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
