Description
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats are a flavorful and healthy twist on traditional buffalo chicken. This recipe combines tender zucchini halves filled with a spicy, creamy buffalo chicken mixture, baked until perfectly tender and topped with fresh herbs and paleo-friendly ranch dressing. Perfect for a low-carb, protein-packed main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a large baking pan with foil. Set aside.
- Prepare Zucchini Boats: Use a large spoon to hollow out the centers of each zucchini half, leaving about a 1/2-inch rim to create boats. Place the hollowed zucchini halves onto the prepared baking pan and set aside.
- 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 well until fully combined.
- Fill Zucchini Boats: Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture evenly into each zucchini boat, filling them completely.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed zucchini boats in the preheated oven for 35 minutes until zucchini is tender and the buffalo chicken filling is slightly browned on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and top with paleo-friendly ranch dressing, fresh chives, parsley, or scallions as desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Coconut cream is the thick part from the top of a can of full-fat coconut milk; alternatively, use plain Greek yogurt or plant-based Greek yogurt.
- You can swap the paleo mayo and coconut cream/yogurt mixture for 8 ounces of softened cream cheese or dairy-free cream cheese for a richer filling.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your spice preference to make it less spicy if desired.
- Look for zucchini that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
- Use paleo-friendly ranch dressings like Tessamae’s to keep the recipe compliant with paleo guidelines.
