Stuffed zucchini boats filled with the flavors of chicken parmesan. This low carbohydrate, high protein meal will leave you feeling satisfied!
I love swapping out the processed ingredients in recipes for whole fruits and vegetables!
That was the idea for these chicken parmesan zucchini boats. Instead of having a fried piece of chicken on a bed of pasta, this recipe calls for sautéed ground chicken served in hollowed out zucchini. It gets the chicken parmesan essence from mixing pasta sauce into the chicken. And, of course, the whole thing gets covered in mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
MY LATEST RECIPESYou can see some of my other fruit and vegetable swaps in these recipes: Cranberry Tuna Salad on Apple Slices, and Greek Stuffed Cucumbers with Chicken and Yogurt Sauce.
To make this recipe, start by cutting some zucchini in half. Use a spoon to scrape the seeds and the middle out of the zucchini, creating zucchini boats.
Brown some ground chicken in a skillet. Stir in some garlic and pasta sauce. Then, spoon the chicken mixture into the zucchini boats.
Cover the zucchini with shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese. Cover, and bake until the cheese is melted and the zucchini is soft.
Watch this short video to see how it’s made!
- 4 medium zucchini about 1 3/4 pounds
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup pasta sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: sliced fresh basil for topping
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and break it apart with a spoon. Add the salt and pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally and break down the chicken into small chunks.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the garlic to the chicken. Cook 1 minute stirring often. Add the pasta sauce. Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- As the chicken cooks, cut the zucchini in half, lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and center out of each zucchini half, leaving a 1/4 inch thick zucchini boat.
- Place the zucchini in the baking dish cut-side up.
- Spoon the chicken mixture into the zucchini boats. Press the mixture down into the zucchini using the back of the spoon.
- Sprinkle the zucchini evenly with the parmesan, then the mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 35 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve.
Tried these lastnight and was very impressed! I minced the chicken myself, when I did that I put garlic and parsley through the mincer with the chicken too. Before I cooked the chicken I sautéed onions and the pulp from the zucchini as there was so much it seemed a waste to not use it, added in some Italian herbs and some season all. When I dug out the zucchini I salted it and turned upside down on kitchen paper to help with the excess moisture. When it was all assembled I cooked uncovered for 20 mins which I think helped avoid the excess moisture that would happen when they are “steamed” covered cooking in the oven. Even the kids enjoyed it!! They mince was bulked up with the zucchini pulp and the kids had no idea how healthy the dish was (winning!) great recipe for my current diet plan and it makes HEAPS! So great for the freezer! Thankyou!
Would you recommend a specific pasta sauce for the dish? I’ve been trying different brands of sauce and have yet to find one that I love.
Prego Farmers market Sauce Classic Marinara
Have you tried making ahead and freezing? If so – any tips on reheating?
I froze after assembly of boats. After thawed, baked uncovered and put cheese on then. If I have extra meat mixture I will keep in extra bag to add when heating it.
I made this with ground turkey and it was great! I think 35 min was too much time in the oven, the cheese and zucchini were overcooked, next time I make it I’ll do 25 min and check on it.