Description
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats are a flavorful, low-carb dish featuring tender zucchini filled with a spicy, creamy buffalo chicken mixture. Perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, these boats combine the zest of hot sauce with savory herbs and a touch of creaminess from paleo mayo and coconut cream or Greek yogurt.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Boats
- 4 medium zucchini sliced in half lengthwise
Buffalo Chicken Filling
- 1 1/2 lbs cooked shredded chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup paleo mayo
- 1 cup coconut cream or Greek Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried chives
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot recommended)
Toppings
- Paleo-friendly ranch dressing (optional, e.g., Tessamae's)
- Fresh chives, parsley, or scallions
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking pan with foil. Grease the foil lightly to prevent sticking; set aside.
- Prepare Zucchini Boats: Using a large spoon, carefully hollow out the centers of each zucchini half, leaving about a 1/2-inch rim intact to create a boat shape. Arrange the hollowed zucchinis on the prepared baking pan.
- Make Buffalo Chicken Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, paleo mayo, coconut cream or Greek yogurt, garlic powder, dried dill, dried chives, paprika, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Fill Zucchini Boats: Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture evenly into each zucchini boat, filling the hollowed centers generously.
- Bake: Place the filled zucchini boats in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the buffalo chicken topping is slightly browned.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from the oven and top each boat with paleo-friendly ranch dressing and fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or scallions for extra flavor and garnish. Serve warm.
Notes
- Coconut Cream or Yogurt: Use the thick cream from canned full-fat coconut milk or substitute with plain Greek yogurt or plant-based Greek yogurt for a dairy-free option.
- Cream Cheese Substitute: You can swap the paleo mayo and coconut cream/yogurt with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese or dairy-free cream cheese if preferred.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce depending on your preferred spice tolerance.
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works well to save time and adds flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
