Keto Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats (Printable Version)

Zucchini boats loaded with seasoned chicken and topped with bubbly melted cheese for a guilt-free Mexican favorite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
02 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Protein

04 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

→ Sauce & Seasonings

05 - 1 cup sugar-free enchilada sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Dairy

12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
13 - 2 tablespoons sour cream, optional for serving

→ Garnishes

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced, optional
16 - 1/2 avocado, diced, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the centers, leaving approximately 1/4-inch border to create boats. Reserve 1/2 cup of scooped zucchini flesh, chop finely, and set aside.
03 - Place zucchini boats cut-side up in a large baking dish.
04 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and reserved chopped zucchini flesh, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
06 - Spoon chicken mixture evenly into zucchini boats. Top each boat with shredded cheese.
07 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh cilantro, jalapeño slices, and avocado if desired. Serve with sour cream on the side.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes like you're cheating on keto, but the numbers tell a completely different story.
  • Your oven does most of the work while you relax, making weeknight dinners feel less stressful.
  • Zucchini boats are naturally impressive looking, so you'll feel fancy serving these without the fancy effort.
02 -
  • Don't scoop out the zucchini centers too aggressively or the boats will collapse in the oven; that quarter-inch border is your structural insurance policy.
  • Make sure your enchilada sauce is actually sugar-free before you buy it because many brands use regular sugar and will tank your macros without you realizing it.
03 -
  • If you want extra spice without extra ingredients, add a handful of diced green chilies to the chicken filling or drizzle hot sauce on top before serving.
  • Ground turkey works beautifully instead of chicken if you want to switch things up, and it actually stays more tender in the filling than some chicken preparations.
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