Healthy Dinner Recipe for Weight Losing | Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Quick and Easy Healthy Dinner Recipe for Weight Loss– Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats:
These tasty, satisfying and nutritious Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats are filled with ground chicken, flavorful marinara sauce and topped with melted Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese. This healthy dinner recipe makes a wonderful main dish, a hearty side, and an easy meal prep option for busy weeknight dinners.
Why you’ll love these Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe?
It is easy, requires only a few ingredients and can be made in simple easy steps.
This healthy dinner recipe is Keto friendly, gluten free, high in protein, but low-carb.
It is creamy, cheesy, and incredibly delicious.
It’s healthy; zucchinis are packed with vitamins, fiber and they are low in calories.
It makes a nice meal prep for the week (the portions are clear and can easily be stored without mess)
What ingredients do I need for this healthy dinner recipe?
1-pound ground chicken
3 large zucchinis
2 cups of marinara or a homemade tomato sauce
3 cups freshly shredded Mozzarella
1 cup shredded Parmesan
Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
How to make this Stuffed Zucchini Boats dinner recipe?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and use some oil to grease a 9×13 baking dish
Set a large skillet over medium heat, add in the ground chicken and cook until no longer pink, then season with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Stir in 2 cups of tomato sauce or marinara with the chicken. Lower the heat and simmer so it can absorb the sauce a bit. (it shouldn’t be runny)
Meantime, trim the zucchini and cut in half lengthwise, then scoop out the guts using a spoon or fruit baller.
Stir until melted 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of parmesan with the creamy chicken.
Transfer your zucchini halves into the baking dish, fill them with the prepared mixture, then top with the remaining Parmesan and Mozzarella.
Bake in the middle rack for 25 minutes until the zucchini is tender. Finally, Switch the oven to broil for a few minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Top with crispy bacon, extra cheese, or a bunch of fresh herbs for a nice pop of color. Pair with a green salad or grains for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Healthy Dinner Recipe for Weight Losing – Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats: The combination of ingredients provides a satisfying meal that’s both flavorful, nutritious, and perfect for a light lunch or dinner!
These stuffed zucchini boats make a great light dinner recipe for people who are trying to lose weight or simply cautious and mindful about what they eat. You will love how easy it is to prepare and even easier to customize to please everyone’s taste.
Helpful Tips and Variations:
Which zucchini should I use? Make sure to choose medium or large firm zucchini to have enough filling space. (be careful not to scoop out too much of the flesh, the zucchini edges should be sturdy to hold the filling while baking).
Which tomato sauce should I use? You can use homemade tomato sauce or marinara sauce. You can even use some sun dried tomatoes.
How can I replace the tomato sauce? You can use Alfredo sauce, barbecue sauce, or pesto sauce for a change.
How can I replace the ground chicken? You can replace the ground chicken with ground turkey, ground pork, or ground beef. You can also substitute with some shredded leftover chicken rotisserie.
Can I reuse the scooped zucchini flesh? You can store it for zucchini fritters for the following day’s breakfast.
What can I add to this healthy dinner recipe? You can add some finely diced bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms. You can also add some crispy crumbled bacon for a nice savory taste.
How can I make this recipe spicy? You can add chili flakes or red pepper flakes to the sauce. You may also add some sliced jalapenos if you like.
How can I make this recipe vegan? It’s pretty simple to turn this recipe vegan; use some black beans instead of chicken and substitute the parmesan and mozzarella with any vegan cheese.
How can I store leftovers? Keep your leftover zucchini boats in the fridge for up to 3 days. To rewarm, sprinkle with extra cheese and place in the oven for about 10 minutes.
Is it possible to freeze this recipe? I don’t recommend freezing the zucchini boats since they can become mushy, but you may freeze the filling until needed.
How can I serve Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats?
I like to serve these gooey, creamy healthy dinner recipe alongside a green salad or a plate of air fryer roasted vegetables (roasted potatoes, cauliflower, or asparagus). Sometimes, I prefer to serve them as a side dish during a hearty holiday meal or family gathering
Healthy Dinner Recipes for Weight Losing | Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 1- pound ground chicken
- 3 large zucchinis
- 2 cups of marinara or a homemade tomato sauce
- 3 cups freshly shredded Mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan
- Salt pepper, and garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and use some oil to grease a 9×13 baking dish
- Set a large skillet over medium heat, add in the ground chicken and cook until no longer pink, then season with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Stir in 2 cups of tomato sauce or marinara with the chicken. Lower the heat and simmer so it can absorb the sauce a bit. (it shouldn’t be runny)
- Meantime, trim the zucchini and cut in half lengthwise, then scoop out the guts using a spoon or fruit baller.
- Stir until melted 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of parmesan with the creamy chicken.
- Transfer your zucchini halves into the baking dish, fill them with the prepared mixture, then top with the remaining Parmesan and Mozzarella.
- Bake in the middle rack for 25 minutes until the zucchini is tender. Finally, Switch the oven to broil for a few minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Top with crispy bacon, extra cheese, or a bunch of fresh herbs for a nice pop of color. Pair with a green salad or grains for a complete meal. Enjoy!
