Skinny BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats (Printable Version)

Flavorful zucchini boats filled with BBQ chicken and topped with melted cheese for a light meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini
02 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped

→ Protein

03 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

→ Sauces

04 - 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

→ Dairy

05 - 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese

→ Herbs & Seasonings

06 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
07 - Salt and pepper to taste
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - Wash zucchini thoroughly. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the center flesh, leaving approximately 1/4 inch shell intact. Reserve 1/2 cup of the scooped flesh and chop finely.
03 - Position zucchini boats cut-side up in the prepared baking dish. Brush lightly with olive oil and season evenly with salt and pepper.
04 - Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped red onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add reserved chopped zucchini flesh and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
05 - In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, sautéed onion and zucchini mixture, and barbecue sauce. Mix thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
06 - Divide chicken mixture evenly among zucchini boats, spooning into the hollowed centers. Distribute shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over each boat.
07 - Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 5 additional minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent enough for a real dinner party, but your body feels genuinely great afterward.
  • You get a crispy-edged zucchini shell that's actually worth eating, not just a vehicle for filling.
  • The whole thing comes together in less time than ordering takeout.
02 -
  • If you scoop out too much zucchini flesh, your boats collapse during baking, so leave that quarter-inch shell even if it feels generous.
  • The zucchini releases water as it cooks, which is why you cover the dish first and uncover it only at the end, otherwise you'll steam everything into mushiness.
03 -
  • Buy pre-shredded rotisserie chicken from the grocery store because it saves twenty minutes and tastes better than anything you'll poach yourself.
  • Taste your BBQ sauce first because some brands run sweeter or smokier than others, and you want to know what you're working with before it's in the filling.
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