Cheesy BBQ Chicken Zucchini (Printable)

Smoky BBQ chicken and melty cheese atop roasted zucchini rounds for a fresh, low-carb flavor-packed dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Zucchini Nachos

01 - 3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ For the BBQ Chicken

06 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
07 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (use gluten-free if needed)

→ Toppings

08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
09 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
10 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
11 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
14 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How-to Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss zucchini rounds with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
03 - Roast zucchini for 10-12 minutes until slightly golden and tender but not mushy.
04 - While zucchini roasts, combine shredded chicken with BBQ sauce in a bowl. Mix well to coat.
05 - Remove zucchini from the oven. Carefully arrange zucchini rounds close together on the baking sheet to form a nacho base.
06 - Evenly distribute BBQ chicken over the zucchini. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Return to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven. Top nachos with cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño slices (if using), and cilantro. Drizzle with sour cream and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • You get all the satisfaction of loaded nachos while sneaking in a serving of vegetables
  • The zucchini rounds hold up surprisingly well, getting tender without turning into mush
  • Everything bakes on one sheet pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
02 -
  • Dont skip the initial roast of plain zucchini or youll end up with soggy bottoms under all those toppings
  • Let the nachos sit for about 3 minutes after baking so they set up slightly and are easier to scoop
  • If your zucchini feels especially wet, pat the slices with paper towels before tossing with oil
03 -
  • Use a mandoline for perfectly even zucchini slices, which ensures uniform cooking
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature before mixing with BBQ sauce for better coating

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