{"id":1455,"date":"2025-07-08T23:49:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T15:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artoz.xyz\/index.php\/2025\/07\/08\/buffalo-chicken-zucchini-boats-on-my-kids-plate\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T23:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T15:49:04","slug":"buffalo-chicken-zucchini-boats-on-my-kids-plate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artoz.xyz\/index.php\/2025\/07\/08\/buffalo-chicken-zucchini-boats-on-my-kids-plate\/","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats – On My Kids Plate"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You know it\u2019s summer when your garden gives you more zucchini than you know what to do with. These buffalo chicken zucchini boats are cheesy, just a little spicy (you can adjust if needed!), and totally kid-approved. It\u2019s one of those dinners where no one even thinks twice about the veggies, they\u2019re too busy asking for seconds.<\/p>\n

\"Zucchini\"Zucchini<\/figure>\n

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Why We Love Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats<\/h2>\n
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  • Delicious Way To Enjoy Vegetables <\/strong>\u2013 I\u2019m always looking for ideas to enjoy vegetables without hiding them. This style dinner was one the whole family enjoyed.<\/li>\n
  • Perfect For Summer Zucchini <\/strong>\u2013 There are a couple months in the summer where the zucchini seems never ending if you planted a garden. Or maybe you just want to stretch your budget in the summer when zucchini is cheap and plentiful. This is the perfect recipe to make to maximize your zucchini hauls. We\u2019ve enjoyed it so much I actually made and Italian zucchini boat and a pizza zucchini boat too.<\/li>\n
  • Fun Flavor <\/strong>\u2013 We\u2019ve enjoyed zucchini boats so much, I knew I had to make a new flavor. I have also made an Italian zucchini boat that is so meaty and savory, and a pizza zucchini boat that was especially popular with the kid. We had some leftover buffalo chicken dip, and I knew that those leftovers would be perfect stuffed into zucchini! You can also use leftovers, or I\u2019ve given instructions on how to make this recipe without having the dip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Ingredients For Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats<\/h2>\n
    \"Ingredients\"Ingredients<\/figure>\n
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    • cream cheese<\/strong> \u2013 I prefer full fat cream cheese, but you could use reduced fat cream cheese. You could also use laughing cow cheese<\/li>\n
    • chicken broth<\/strong><\/li>\n
    • ranch dressing<\/strong> \u2013 use your favorite bottled salad dressing<\/li>\n
    • hot sauce<\/strong> \u2013 the hot sauce you choose will determine how spicy the chicken is. If you aren\u2019t sure what to pick, Red Hot is the brand I usually grab first.<\/li>\n
    • cheddar cheese\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 shredded, you can also swap out another favorite like Monterrey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese for a little more heat<\/li>\n
    • chicken<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 cooked, shredded, you can use leftover chicken rotisserie chicken or even canned chicken if you prefer.<\/li>\n
    • zucchini<\/strong> \u2013 this is a great recipe to use a bunch! It can help if they are all similar in size for this recipe, so they cook evenly. Larger zucchinis, usually that come straight from the garden, may need to bake a little longer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      How to Make It Less Spicy for Picky Eaters<\/h2>\n

      Have a pickier eater who doesn\u2019t like things spicy? Start by adding half the hot sauce and the cheese will do the rest. You can always add a few more shakes of hot sauce on the plate to give it more of a kick for the rest of the family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      How To Make Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats<\/h2>\n

      Instructions<\/h3>\n
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      1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover 2 sheet pans with aluminum foil and spray with spray cooking oil.<\/li>\n
      2. Slice cream cheese into pieces. Place the cream cheese slices in a large pot with chicken broth over medium to medium low heat. You don\u2019t want this to boil; you just want to gently heat and melt the cream cheese. Heat about 6-7 minutes, whisking as needed until smooth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        \"A\"A<\/figure>\n
        \"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
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        1. Pour in ranch and hot sauce into the cream cheese and stir well. Then add 1 cup of cheese, stirring well with a spoon until melted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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          \"A\"A<\/figure>\n
          \"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n
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          1. Add shredded chicken to the pot and mix well to coat it with the sauce. Remove the pan from the heat.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \"A\"A<\/figure>\n
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            1. Wash then dry the zucchini. Slice the tops and bottoms off the zucchini; then slice each in half lengthwise. With a large spoon, scoop out the seeds and some pulp from the zucchini to make the zucchini shells. Place zucchini halves in the baking pans, lining them up in a row. Fill each zucchini with 2-3 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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              \"Two\"Two<\/figure>\n
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              1. Bake for 25 minutes or until zucchini is fork tender. Sprinkle each boat with remaining \u00bd cup cheese and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt cheese. Serve with additional ranch and hot sauce, and enjoy!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \"Six\"Six<\/figure>\n

                Variation Ideas<\/h2>\n

                Try Blue Cheese<\/strong> \u2013 A sprinkle of blue cheese instead of cheddar over the top is pretty tasty. Blue cheese can be pretty pungent though, so you may not want to add it to everyone\u2019s zucchini. You could also swap a blue cheese dressing for the ranch dressing.<\/p>\n

                Add Buttery Cracker Crumbs <\/strong>\u2013 If you have some buttery crackers like Ritz, crumble them up over top of the chicken. It will give the zucchini a buttery crispness. I sometimes place them under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of the cooking time to make sure the cracker crumbs get crispy.<\/p>\n

                \"Two\"Two<\/figure>\n

                FAQ About Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats<\/h2>\n
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                Can I cook these in the air fryer?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

                If your air fryer is big enough to fit the boats, yes! Cook them at 350\u00b0F for about 12\u201315 minutes, checking for fork-tender zucchini and melted cheese.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

                Can I use leftover buffalo chicken dip?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

                Totally. If you already have buffalo chicken dip, just warm it slightly, stuff the zucchini, and bake. It\u2019s a great way to repurpose leftovers!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

                Can I adjust the spice level?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

                Yes! Start with half the hot sauce if your family prefers it mild. You can always add more after baking. You could even leave it out and let adults drizzle on hot sauce at the table.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

                What kind of chicken works best?<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p>\n

                Shredded rotisserie is easiest, but baked or grilled chicken works great too. If using canned chicken, drain it well and break it up with a fork before mixing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

                Can I use another veggie instead of zucchini?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

                Sure can! Bell peppers or even halved baked potatoes make great stand-ins. Just keep an eye on the baking time and adjust as needed. You can even mix and match with zucchini, kitchen improv at its finest.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

                Can I make these for meal prep?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

                Yes! These reheat well and can be packed in individual containers with rice, salad, or even pasta. Great for a quick lunch that doesn\u2019t taste boring.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

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                What To Serve With Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats?<\/h2>\n

                I usually round out dinner with something simple and satisfying. A crisp salad with ranch or blue cheese dressing can balance the slight heat and adds freshness. <\/p>\n

                If the family is really hungry (or I want leftovers), I may add some rice or a quick pasta on the side. Sometimes I\u2019ll even make mac and cheese with broccoli so everyone is happy at the table, and it goes well with the buffalo flavor.<\/p>\n

                There\u2019s almost always garlic bread involved, whether it\u2019s a simple garlic bread or my slightly more involved cheesy pull apart garlic bread. In summertime, I\u2019ll throw in a cucumber tomato salad or fresh boiled corn on the cob to keep things light and seasonal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                Can I Make Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats Ahead Of Time?<\/h2>\n

                Yep! You can prep the chicken mixture and hollow the zucchini up to 24 hours ahead. You can even stuff them in advance, just cover and refrigerate. When baking from cold, they may need a few extra minutes to become fork tender.<\/p>\n

                How Long Will Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats Last?<\/h2>\n

                Expect these zucchini boats will last about three days if stored in an airtight, covered container in the refrigerator. <\/p>\n

                These zucchini boats do not freeze well <\/strong>unfortunately. While shredded zucchini freezes great <\/strong>for baking in zucchini bread, whole zucchini tends to become pretty watery once frozen.<\/p>\n

                Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or baked for 15-20 minutes in the oven at 375 until warm. They can also be reheated in the air fryer, but I recommend turning the temperature down to 350. Expect them to take 5-10 minutes to reheat in the air fryer. <\/p>\n

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                More Zucchini Recipes You\u2019ll Love<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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                \"There\"There<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
                \n \"Recipe\"\"Recipe\"
                \n<\/lineargradient><\/defs><\/lineargradient><\/defs><\/lineargradient><\/defs><\/svg><\/p>\n

                Buffalo Chicken Zucchini<\/h2>\n

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                Course <\/span>Dinners<\/span><\/p>\n

                Cuisine <\/span>American<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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                Prep Time <\/span>20 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                Cook Time <\/span>36 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                Total Time <\/span>56 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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                Zucchini for dinner? Stay with me. These buffalo chicken zucchini boats are creamy, cheesy, and kid-approved, no side eye about the veggies this time.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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                • \n

                  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover 2 sheet pans with aluminum foil and spray with spray cooking oil.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Slice cream cheese into pieces. Place the cream cheese slices in a large pot with chicken broth over medium to medium low heat. You don\u2019t want this to boil; you just want to gently heat and melt the cream cheese. Heat about 6-7 minutes, whisking as needed until smooth.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  12 ounces cream cheese, <\/span>\u2153 cup chicken broth<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Pour in ranch and hot sauce into the cream cheese and stir well. Then add 1 cup of cheese, stirring well with a spoon until melted.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \u00bd cup ranch dressing, <\/span>\u2153 cup hot sauce, <\/span>1 cup cheddar cheese<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Add shredded chicken to the pot and mix well to coat it with the sauce. Remove the pan from the heat.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  3 cups chicken<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Wash then dry the zucchini. Slice the tops and bottoms off the zucchini; then slice each in half lengthwise. With a large spoon, scoop out the seeds and some pulp from the zucchini to make the zucchini shells. Place zucchini halves in the baking pans, lining them up in a row. Fill each zucchini with 2-3 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  6 medium zucchini<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Bake for 25 minutes or until zucchini is fork tender. Sprinkle each boat with remaining \u00bd cup cheese and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt cheese. Serve with additional ranch and hot sauce and enjoy!<\/span><\/p>\n

                  1\/2 cup cheddar cheese<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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                  Keyword <\/span>chicken, chicken recipe, zucchini<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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                  Did You Make This?<\/h4>\n

                  I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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