Description
These Keto Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats are an easy and healthy low-carb dinner option featuring ground chicken simmered in marinara sauce, stuffed into zucchini halves, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, then baked to cheesy perfection. This recipe offers a delicious twist on classic chicken parmesan by using zucchini boats as a gluten-free, keto-friendly alternative to pasta.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce (preferably low-carb)
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (divided)
Zucchini Boats
- 3 large zucchinis (or 4 small zucchinis), de-stemmed and halved lengthwise
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and chop the ground chicken until it is no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Simmer with Sauce: Add about 2 cups of marinara sauce to the cooked chicken mixture. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer so the sauce thickens and the flavors meld, being careful not to make the mixture too runny.
- Prepare the Zucchini Boats: While the chicken simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish. De-stem the zucchinis and slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the centers using a spoon or melon baller to create the boat shape.
- Mix Cheese Into Chicken: Stir in 2 cups of freshly shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese into the chicken and sauce mixture until melted and well combined.
- Assemble the Boats: Spoon the cheesy chicken mixture evenly into each zucchini boat. Then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese on top of the boats.
- Bake the Boats: Place the baking dish uncovered in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 25 minutes to fully cook the zucchini and melt the cheese.
- Broil for Browning: After baking, switch your oven to broil and broil the zucchini boats for a few minutes to brown and slightly crisp the cheese topping. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Notes
- The reserved zucchini flesh can be chopped and used in zucchini fritters, scrambled eggs, salads, or casseroles for zero waste.
- Leftover chicken mixture can be stored and enjoyed for lunch the next day.
- Using a low-carb marinara sauce such as Rao’s helps keep the recipe keto-friendly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 zucchini boat (approximately 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
