Bacon cheddar stuffed zucchini boats are deliciously easy to prepare, featuring tender zucchini filled with a savory mixture of ground chicken, cheeses, and crispy bacon.
Author:Caroline Jones
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:50 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Carb
Ingredients
Scale
4 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 lb ground chicken
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 small onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers, leaving a ¼-inch border to create boats. Brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
Roast the zucchini boats for 12 minutes until just tender.
Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground chicken until lightly browned. Add the onion and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic.
Mix in the cream cheese, sour cream, smoked paprika, half of the bacon, and half of the cheddar. Cook until creamy and well combined.
Spoon the filling into the roasted zucchini boats.
Top with the remaining cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and the rest of the crispy bacon.
Bake for 15–18 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Broil for 2 minutes for an extra crispy, caramelized cheese topping if desired.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, you can replace ground chicken with a plant-based protein.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling for extra nutrition.
This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.