Skinny BBQ Chicken Zucchini (Printable Version)

Tender zucchini boats filled with BBQ chicken and topped with melted cheese for a light, protein-packed dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

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

→ Protein

03 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

→ Sauces

04 - ½ cup BBQ sauce, gluten-free certified

→ Dairy

05 - ½ cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese

→ Oils and Seasonings

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - Wash zucchini thoroughly and slice lengthwise in half. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out center flesh leaving approximately ¼ inch shell intact. Reserve ½ cup of scooped flesh and chop finely; set aside.
03 - Arrange zucchini boats cut-side up in prepared baking dish. Brush lightly with olive oil and season evenly with salt and pepper.
04 - Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent and softened. Add reserved chopped zucchini flesh and cook an additional 1-2 minutes.
05 - Transfer sautéed mixture to mixing bowl. Add shredded chicken and BBQ sauce, mixing thoroughly until all elements are evenly incorporated.
06 - Distribute chicken mixture evenly among zucchini boats. Top each boat with shredded cheddar cheese, distributing uniformly.
07 - Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and loaded, but your waistline stays happy because you're eating real vegetables, not bread or pasta.
  • You can have dinner ready and on the table in less time than it takes to order takeout, and it actually feels homemade.
  • Rotisserie chicken makes this effortless on busy nights, so there's no excuse to skip a genuinely nourishing meal.
02 -
  • Don't scoop the zucchini flesh too aggressively or you'll pierce the shell and watch filling leak out during baking—a gentle hand and a sturdy spoon make all the difference.
  • If your zucchini are on the larger side, extend the covered baking time to 25 minutes so the flesh becomes truly tender, not just softened around the edges.
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken is your secret weapon here—it's pre-seasoned, tender, and cuts your active cooking time in half without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.
  • If your BBQ sauce tastes too sweet on its own, balance it with a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lime in the filling—it brightens everything and prevents the dish from feeling heavy.
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