BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats

All of your favorite BBQ chicken pizza toppings stuffed into zucchini boats! These BBQ Chicken Zucchini boats are loaded with with tangy BBQ shredded chicken, red onion, smoked gouda and mozzarella cheeses and topped with cilantro just like the classic pizza. 

Who needs pizza crust when it’s zucchini season? One of my favorite things to do with a summer surplus of zucchini is to hollow out zucchini halves and use them as boats to hold all of my favorite pizza toppings and sandwich flavors. I’ve already gone the buffalo chicken route, so it was time to switch to my other favorite kind of chicken.

If you’re a fan of BBQ Chicken Pizza, these BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats will be right up your alley with the classic combination sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. But thanks to the zucchini, this recipe is lightened up! And with only 6 main ingredients needed to make these BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats, this is definitely one of those easy, weeknight meals you can whip up in under an hour.

How to Prepare the BBQ Chicken

Let’s talk about the most flavorful part of this dish, the BBQ chicken. You’ll need 3 cups of cooked and shredded chicken for this recipe. A rotisserie chicken from the grocery store will yield chicken that easily shreds and provides so much flavor. You can also cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot or slow cooker or use any leftover grilled or cooked chicken that you may have on hand. Once you have your 3 cups of shredded chicken, you’ll simply combine the chicken with about 2/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce and thinly sliced red onion.

BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boat Toppings

In addition to the BBQ chicken, the other essential components for BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats are:

• Red onion: When baked in the oven, the thin slices of red onion caramelize ever so slightly giving this dish little bits of sweet and savory flavor. If you’re not a fan of onions, feel free to leave them out. 
• Cheese: I used a combination of shredded mozzarella and smoked gouda, which I highly recommend. The smoked gouda adds an additional layer of flavor and really brings out the overall smoky flavor in the entire dish. 
• Cilantro: A sprinkling of chopped cilantro at the end adds a ensures a touch of fresh flavor in every bite.  

If you want to get creative and add additional flavor to your zucchini boats, here are a few other filling ideas:

• pineapple
• bacon
• black beans 
• corn
• bell peppers

How to Make the BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats

1. Pre-heat the oven: Set the oven temp to 400 degrees. 
2. Prepare the zucchini: Slice 3 medium-large zucchini lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to hollow out the middle of each by scraping the pulp out. Arrange the zucchini boats in a greased baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over the zucchini and season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the chicken filling: Combine the chicken, red onion, and barbecue sauce in a bowl. Fill each zucchini boat with even amounts of the chicken mixture.
4. Bake: Cover the dish with with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes or until the zucchini is tender. Then, uncover the dish and bake for an additional 10 minutes. 
5. Add fresh cilantro: Sprinkle the zucchini boats with chopped fresh cilantro. 

And that’s all there is to it! If you’re in the mood for pizza and have plenty of zucchini on hand, these BBQ Chicken Zucchini boats are the answer! Not only are they quick and easy to prepare, but they make for a healthy, filling meal the whole family will enjoy. 

Farmer’s Market Shopping List

• Zucchini
• Red onion
• Cilantro

I’m so excited to be showcasing my produce finds from my local market, the Shoreview Farmer’s Market, for this recipe series. If you are local to the Twin Cities of Minnesota, specifically the northeastern suburbs, be sure to visit to the Shoreview Farmer’s Market on Tuesday evenings through mid-October. Local fresh produce, handcrafted artisan items, and live entertainment are featured each week!

Check out the other recipes in the Farmer’s Market Series:

• Asian Kohlrabi Salad
• Grilled Smashed Potatoes with Chipotle Ranch
• Strawberry Cucumber Caprese Salad
• Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Corn and Tomatoes
• Sheet Pan Veggie Tacos with Avocado Lime Crema
• Autumn Brussels Sprouts Cobb Salad

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