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4.9 from 30 votes

Cheesy BBQ Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Delicious, low carb BBQ chicken stuffed zucchini boats topped with melted cheddar cheese. These flavorful, easy BBQ chicken zucchini boats are a great way to use leftover chicken and make the perfect weeknight dinner. Options to add your favorite flavors or even make them vegetarian!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 398 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • Olive oil, for greasing pan
  • 4 medium zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise (look for zucchini that is similar in size)
  • 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 (can also be from a rotisserie chicken)
  • 1 cup low sugar bbq sauce, divided (I like Stubb’s Spicy BBQ Sauce), plus more if you like it extra saucy
  • 1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • TO GARNISH:
  • cilantro
  • green onions

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch pan with olive oil.
  2. Using a spoon, scoop centers from zucchini while leaving a 1/4-inch rim to create boats. (See note section for what to do with leftover zucchini pulp.) Place zucchini in the greased pan; they should snuggle pretty tightly in there, but if you can’t fit them all in, you can use two pans. 
  3. Brush zucchini with a little olive oil (about 1 tablespoon or so). You can also simply spray them with an all natural oil-only cooking spray.
  4. Add ½ tablespoon of olive oil to a medium skillet and place over medium heat. Add in onions and garlic, and saute for 3-4 minutes.
  5.  Transfer to a large bowl then stir in shredded chicken, 1/2 cup bbq sauce and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Spoon bbq chicken mixture evenly into zucchini boats. Top each with 1 tablespoon bbq sauce (or a little extra if you’d like it more saucy) and 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese.
  7. Cover with foil, and bake for 35-45 minutes or until cheese has melted and zucchini is tender. 
  8. Once done, sprinkle the tops with cilantro and green onion before serving. Serves 4; 2 boats per person.

Notes

  • You can save the zucchini pulp for smoothies! It's nutritious and incredibly delicious. Here's what I suggest: Add zucchini pulp to a freezer safe container. Add to smoothies when you want a little nutritional or fiber boost. No need to thaw!
  • See the full post for tips, tricks, and easy ways to customize these zucchini boats.

Nutrition Information

Serving 2zucchini boats Calories 398cal (20%) Carbohydrates 24.9g (8%) Protein 35.8g (72%) Fat 17.1g (26%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Fiber 3.9g (16%) Sugar 12.1g (24%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 398

% Daily Value*

Serving 2zucchini boats
Calories 398cal 20%
Carbohydrates 24.9g 8%
Protein 35.8g 72%
Fat 17.1g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Fiber 3.9g 16%
Sugar 12.1g 24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.