Description
These Keto Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats are a delicious and healthy low-carb meal, combining tender ground chicken simmered in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, all baked inside fresh zucchini halves. Perfect for a keto-friendly dinner that’s easy to prepare and packed with savory Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
- 3 cups freshly shredded mozzarella, divided
- 1 cup shredded parmesan, divided
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Zucchini Boats
- 3 large zucchinis (or 4 small)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and chop the ground chicken until it is fully cooked and no longer pink. Season the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your taste.
- Simmer with Marinara Sauce: Mix about 2 cups of marinara sauce into the cooked chicken, then reduce the heat to low to let the mixture simmer and absorb the sauce without becoming too runny. Adjust the amount of sauce if it is thin.
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Zucchini Boats: While the chicken simmers, cut the zucchinis in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds and inner flesh using a spoon or melon baller. Save the scooped zucchini flesh for other uses as noted.
- Combine Cheese and Chicken Mixture: Stir 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of parmesan cheese into the chicken and marinara mixture until the cheese melts and blends well.
- Assemble the Zucchini Boats: Spoon the cheesy chicken mixture evenly into the hollowed zucchini halves. Then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup parmesan over the tops.
- Bake and Broil: Place the stuffed zucchinis in the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered on the center oven rack for 25 minutes. Then switch the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes to brown and bubble the cheese topping, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- The scooped-out zucchini flesh can be chopped and saved for zucchini fritters, scrambled eggs, salads, or casseroles to reduce waste and add nutrition.
- You might have extra chicken mixture leftover, which makes a great lunch the next day.
- Using a low-carb marinara sauce like Rao’s brand helps keep this recipe keto-friendly by limiting sugars and carbs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 zucchini boat
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
