Chicken bacon ranch zucchini boats turn your favorite flavor combination into an easy, low-carb dinner. Made with just five ingredients, including a rotisserie chicken for easy prep!
Zucchini boats make an easy weeknight meal - they're ready in about 30 minutes. Plus, these chicken bacon ranch zucchini boats are filled with flavor and made with just five ingredients.
These zucchini boats are filled with shredded rotisserie chicken, ranch dressing, crumbled bacon, and melty cheddar cheese. If you love everything chicken bacon ranch, you'll have to give these zucchini boats a try.
Flavorful and filling on their own, these zucchini boats can feed three as written. Or, stretch this recipe further by serving with a side dish or two, like a salad and some garlic bread.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Zucchini - You'll need about 3 medium sized zucchini (or 4 small zucchini) for this recipe. I used a 9x13 casserole dish, so I looked for zucchini about 9 inches long that would fit perfectly into the pan and fill the space.
- Chicken - A cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe. Or, any cooked, lightly seasoned chicken you have on hand. Crumbled and cooked ground chicken or turkey also works great.
- Ranch dressing - We used Hidden Valley brand ranch dressing, but your favorite brand and flavor of ranch dressing will work fine here.
- Bacon - You'll need about six slices of cooked and crumbled bacon, or about ⅓ cup of crumbled bacon pieces.
- Cheddar cheese - Cheddar can be substituted with any freshly grated, melty cheese. Monterey jack, pepper jack, gruyere, or mozzarella all work well. I suggest using freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded bagged cheese is often coated in anti-clumping powders that can become grainy when melted.
Do I need to peel my zucchini?
No, there's no need to peel your zucchini to make zucchini boats. In fact, the skin contains many nutrients and fiber you'd otherwise be missing out on. The skin also helps hold the shape of your boats as they bake.
Can zucchini boats be frozen?
Technically yes, zucchini boats can be frozen. However, zucchini releases quite a bit of water and gets a little soggy after being frozen and thawed.
For best quality, I highly recommend eating your zucchini boats fresh instead of freezing and thawing.
Leftovers and reheating
Leftover zucchini boats keep well for 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
To reheat, zucchini boats can be microwaved or reheated in the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake boats, uncovered, for up to 20 minutes, or until warmed throughout. If frozen, allow to thaw before reheating.
What to serve with zucchini boats
Want to stretch your zucchini boats recipe a little further? Serve one zucchini boat per person along with a side dish or two, like a side salad and some garlic bread. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Side salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Steamed cilantro rice
- Corn on the cob
For more ideas, check out my full post: 25 side dishes to serve with zucchini boats
Chicken Bacon Ranch Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini, about 9-10" long
- 12 ounces cooked and shredded chicken
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish and set aside.
- Cut the stems off your zucchini, then slice in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scape out some of the flesh from each zucchini half and discard (or save for another recipe). Place into prepared 9x13 pan, cut side up. Optionally, lightly season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl add shredded chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing. Toss until evenly coated. Once boats have par-baked, remove from oven and top with chicken filling. Sprinkle tops with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until zucchini can easily be pierced through with a fork and cheese looks hot and melted.
Recommended Equipment
Notes
- Calories shown are for one boat (or one zucchini half), if your recipe makes six boats. One boat can be served as an entrée along with side dish(es), or two boats can serve as a complete meal on their own.
- Cooked and shredded chicken can be rotisserie chicken, or any cooked, lightly seasoned chicken you have on hand, including ground chicken or even ground turkey.
- Leftover zucchini boats will keep for 3 to 4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until warmed throughout.
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