Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats are great for easy weeknight dinners or for serving on game day! Tender zucchinis are loaded with bold buffalo chicken and a tangy cheese topping that melts perfectly in the oven.
Why we love this Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boat Recipe Recipe
These are one of my favorite easy recipes to make for game day! Here’s why they’re always a football favorite:
- Easy to make ahead: You can even assemble your zucchini boats earlier in the day, then store them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them.
- Cheesy buffalo goodness: Does anything scream game day more than buffalo chicken slathered with blue cheese? I think not.
- Better for you: Game day appetizers are notoriously on the unhealthier side. These boats are low in carbs, gluten free and nutritious from the zucchini!
How can you tell if zucchini is good?
The vegetable should feel firm yet tender with shiny or glossy skin. When you cut into a good zucchini, it should have an almost buttery-like texture and the flesh should appear slightly yellow, greenish or white. Zucchini flavor should be mild and juicy, lending itself perfectly to baking.
Zucchini requires a cool, dry place for storing, such as the crisper drawer in the refrigerator. With proper storage, fresh zucchini lasts about one to two weeks.
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How to Store and Reheat
Once the zucchini boats cool to room temperature, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. I recommend reheating them in the air fryer or oven.
How to Freeze
I don’t recommend freezing zucchini boats, just because the zucchini will be quite mushy upon thawing. That being said, you can absolutely freeze the filling for these boats for up to 2 months. Simply thaw the filling, spoon it into fresh zucchinis, then add cheese and bake.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken zucchini boats also make a great weeknight dinner with family! Pair them with a side salad or a pasta side dish to round out your plate.
More Game Day Recipes We Love
- Buffalo Wings
- Nashville Hot Chicken
- Crack Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups
- Mexican Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Meatballs
Top Reader Review
“These were fantastic! My kids love all things buffalo sauce so this was a great way to get them to eat their veggies!” – Stephanie
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup hot sauce I used Frank’s RedHot
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2½ cups shredded chicken breast
- 4 zucchinis sliced in half lengthwise
- ½ cup blue cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing optional
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Use a spoon to hollow out the zucchini halves to make the boats. Reserve half of the zucchini pulp for the filling.4 zucchinis
- In a bowl, whisk together cream cheese and hot sauce. Stir in chicken and zucchini pulp.½ cup hot sauce, 4 ounces cream cheese, 2½ cups shredded chicken breast
- Place zucchini boats in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle blue cheese over the top. Bake in the oven, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover, top with mozzarella, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.½ cup blue cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Drizzle ranch or blue cheese dressing and sprinkle chopped green onion over the top of the zucchini boats.Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing, Chopped green onion
Notes
- When scooping out the pulp for Zucchini Boats, a teaspoon is just the right size. Use your food processor or blender to finely chop the pulp quickly.
- Make sure to use a greased baking dish.
- You can also make this recipe with yellow squash, or even small hollowed-out eggplants.
- You can make this dish vegetarian. Use sauteed onion, rice or quinoa, diced red bell pepper, salt, pepper, shredded cheese and fresh herbs.
How to make Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats Step by Step
Create the boats: Chop 4 zucchinis in half. Then, use a spoon to hollow out each half. Be sure to reserve half of the zucchini pulp for the filling!
Make the filling: Stir together 1/2 cup hot sauce and 4oz softened cream cheese. Stir in 2 1/2 cups shredded chicken breast and the reserved zucchini pulp.
Assemble the boats: Place the boats on a baking sheet. Then, place an equal amount of filling into each boat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup blue cheese and 1 cup mozzarella on top.
Bake and garnish: Bake the chicken zucchini boats covered at 400°F for 30 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for another 10 minutes. Garnish with ranch or blue cheese and sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.
Suzy says
I was surprised how well the chicken tasted with the zucchini! Ir really was so tasty and a hearty meal for us!
Becky Hardin says
I’m glad you enjoyed them so much!!
stephanie says
These were easy to make and delicious to eat.
Becky Hardin says
I’m so happy you loved these!
Stephanie says
These were fantastic! My kids love all things buffalo sauce so this was a great way to get them to eat their veggies!
Becky Hardin says
That’s so awesome to hear! I’m glad they loved them so much!
ROGER FAIR says
I am unsure of the use of the blue cheese and the mozzarella … the mozzarella is not mentioned in putting it together and it seems to me the blue cheese should be mixed with the pulp, cream cheese, hot sauce and chicken … with the mozzarella on top for baking … please help … I really want to make this recipe … thanks ..
Becky Hardin says
The Mozzarella can be mixed in with bleu cheese on top! Or if you’d rather switch them, I’m sure it will still be yummy! 🙂
Linda Partyka says
Was delicious. You can use either mild, medium, or hot wing sauce depending on how hot you like your chicken.
Will make again.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for sharing, Linda!