Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

Looking for a delicious, healthy, and low-carb meal idea? Buffalo chicken zucchini boats uses tender fresh zucchini stuffed with a flavorful, creamy buffalo chicken filling! It's easy enough for weeknights and delicious too!

Give it a try and see how this low-carb dinner recipe quickly becomes an essential part of your meal rotation.

It's sure to be a crowd-pleaser with everyone at the dinner table -- even if they don't want or need to eat low-carb!

This was inspired by my stuffed zucchini boat recipe on this site, and pairs well with this meaty zucchini casserole and sausage stuffed butternut squash recipe.

Why You Will Love Chicken Zucchini Boats Recipe

• Easy to prepare so you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.
• Perfect for anyone on a low-carb diet or looking for a keto-friendly meal.
• Versatile recipe. You can easily tweak the recipe to suit your taste buds by adding or swapping out any vegetables, spices, or cheeses you prefer.
• Serve it up in a variety of ways! It works as an appetizer, side dish, or main course depending on the portion size.

Ingredients

Let's take a look at what you need to make zucchini buffalo chicken boats.

• Zucchini: The long narrow shape of zucchini works perfectly to make stuffed boats but you can also use yellow squash as well.
• Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: Use full-fat dairy for the best flavor though you can try low-fat versions if you prefer though the flavors may be slightly different.
• Buffalo Sauce: Use your favorite brand and make it as hot as you like it. You can also opt to use homemade buffalo sauce. I've got this Wild Wings copycat buffalo sauce.
• Canned Chicken : Canned chicken makes this chicken recipe super easy for weeknights. You can also use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded or diced chicken as well.
• Green Onions: Use leeks, chives, diced white or yellow onion instead.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this stuffed zucchini boats with chicken.

• Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the Buffalo chicken mixture for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.
• Sour Cream: It has a slightly different flavor but you can use Greek yogurt instead for a similar creamy texture.
• Add Crunch: Add some diced celery or carrots into your Buffalo chicken mixture before spooning it into the zucchini boats.
• Add Cheese: Add a handful of cheddar, Colby Jack, or blue cheese to your chicken mixture or add a sprinkling of shredded cheese on top before baking.
• More Flavor: Add a drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing to chicken mixture to taste before stuffing.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

This zucchini boats recipe goes together in just a few simple steps. Here's a look at the highlights but be sure to check the recipe card before getting started.

1. Slice the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out all the seeds with a spoon.
2. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, buffalo sauce, salt, and garlic powder together until it's smooth.

3. Add the chicken and green onions to the bowl and stir until well-combined.
4. Place the zucchini on a foil or parchment lined baking pan and spoon the buffalo chicken mixture into the zucchini boats.

5. Bake them in the oven for 20 minutes or until tops begin to brown.

Hint: Make sure to taste your chicken mixture and adjust the spiciness to suit personal tastes before stuffing inside zucchini.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our zucchini pizza boats.

Storage

Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for 1-2 months. Allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. If frozen, thaw the zucchini boats in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat: Place them on a pan and heat in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You could also reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, but be aware that this method may result in a slightly softer texture.

Can I make zucchini boats ahead of time and freeze?

Yes, you can prepare the zucchini boats ahead of time and store them in the freezer or refrigerator until you're ready to bake. In the fridge, you can do this 2-3 days in advance.

For longer storage, freeze the uncooked zucchini boats on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once frozen transfer them into freezer-safe bags or containers and store for up to 2 months.

When you're ready to enjoy, bake the frozen zucchini boats in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.

Freezing raw zucchini may slightly alter the texture of the zucchini boats.

What to Serve with Zucchini Boats

These spicy chicken zucchini boats are a versatile dish for serving. Here are a few ideas for inspiration.

• When serving it as a main dish, add your favorite healthy side dishes! It goes great with a variety of sides including this bell pepper salad, air fryer hasselback potatoes, or air fryer parmesan potatoes.
• Garnish each zucchini boat with a sprinkling of crumbled blue cheese or a drizzle of additional buffalo sauce for color and punch of flavor.
• Cut it up into small pieces and serve it as an appetizer for parties along with other favorites such as taco egg rolls, Ritz cracker sandwiches, and pizza pinwheels.

Every delicious meal should be served with a side dish that is just as good. Find some ideas at What to Serve With Ratatouille.

Tips

To help you create the perfect zucchini boats, follow these tips:

• Choose medium-sized zucchini with a firm texture and even green color so they hold their shape while baking.
• Use a spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the zucchini flesh, leaving a small intact border around the edges to prevent the filling from spilling over.
• Taste and adjust the spiciness your chicken mixture to suit personal tastes before stuffing inside zucchini.

FAQ

More Zucchini Recipes

Do you like zucchini? Here some recipes you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.