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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats: Easy 30-Min Recipe

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats - featured image

These crispy air fryer chicken Parmesan zucchini boats are a quick and delicious weeknight dinner, ready in just 30 minutes. Loaded with shredded chicken, marinara, and a crispy panko topping, they deliver all the comfort of chicken Parmesan in a lighter, low-carb package.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium zucchini (about 78 inches long)
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Wash and dry the zucchini thoroughly. Trim off the stem ends, then cut each zucchini in half lengthwise.
  3. Using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the soft, seedy center of each zucchini half, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick wall.
  4. Lightly brush the inside and outside of each boat with olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce, half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  6. Spoon the chicken mixture evenly into the zucchini cavities, pressing down gently.
  7. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the filling, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture over the cheese-topped zucchini boats.
  9. Place the filled zucchini boats in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
  10. Let the zucchini boats rest in the air fryer basket for 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip preheating the air fryer. Pat the zucchini dry before brushing with oil to avoid sogginess. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Let the boats rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer zucchini boats, chicken Parmesan zucchini boats, low-carb zucchini boats, quick weeknight dinner, healthy chicken Parmesan