Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Boats
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Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash is a secretly healthy dinner everyone will love. Low carb, gluten free, cheesy + loaded with buffalo sauce.
This post was originally shared in 2018 but has been updated.
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Boats are one of the best meals. Simple to make, these spaghetti squash boats are great for when you need an easy dinner that requires minimal effort. They’re also great for meal prepping!
Low carb, gluten free, and delicious- these buffalo chicken spaghetti squash boats are definitely going to be a hit with your family (especially if you love Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, or Buffalo Chicken Soup, or Buffalo Chicken Bowls)
liz’s Time Saving Tips for Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
- Cook the spaghetti squash before. The spaghetti squash takes the longest to cook. Here is a post on how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave and here is a post about how to cook spaghetti squash in the instant pot. Both methods take about 10-15 minutes.
- Oven: You can also just bake the spaghetti squash per the directions in the post at 400° for 30 minutes total. You can bake it the night before you want to have them for dinner and shred it so that you’re 30 minutes ahead of the game come dinner time!
- Cook the chicken ahead of time. You have a few options for shredded chicken. You can make Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, you can make shreded chicken in the crockpot (you’d have to do it the day before or in the morning) OR you can just buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up.. any method will work.
Ingredients:
Substitutions
Spaghetti Squash: I like to use 2 smaller spaghetti squash, but 1 large one will also work (you may just need to roast for longer).
Buffalo Sauce: You can use any buffalo sauce you like. This one is our favorite, but any wing sauce (like Frank’s red hot) will work! We love buffalo sauce in our Buffalo Chicken Salad too!
Veggies: Feel free to add other finely diced veggies. Bell peppers or thinly sliced carrots would be a great addition. You can also skip the veggie and serve veggies on the side.
Cheese: Cheddar, pepper jack, colby jack, or mozzarella cheese would all work in this recipe. We recommend buying a block of cheddar cheese and grating it fresh (it melts better than pre-shredded cheese!)
Chicken: Chicken thighs, breasts, or tenders could be used to make shredded chicken. You can also use pre-cooked chicken from a rotisserie chicken, crockpot shredded chicken, or instant pot shredded chicken. You’ll need about 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken.
Yogurt: You can use full fat greek yogurt in this recipe to give it creaminess and add protein. I haven’t tried using regular yogurt in this recipe, but I think it would work. I’m not sure how dairy free yogurt would work.
With Potatoes: We have a Buffalo Chicken Casserole recipe that is so delicious!
Dairy Free: This recipe is tricky to make dairy free. Instead, I’d try this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole. You can leave out the blue cheese crumbles and it will be totally paleo, whole30 and dairy free. (It’s also a little less work because you can just dump it in the pan and bake it!)
How to make Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
- Slice the spaghetti squash lengthwise, remove seeds from the center, and place on the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 400° for 30 minutes. Then, shred by pulling at the center with a fork. Remove about half of the squash from the center.
- Mix together shredded chicken, broccoli, hot sauce, yogurt and half the shredded cheese. Then mix in shredded spaghetti squash.
- Stuff the spaghetti squash boats with the mixture. Top with remaining cheese and put back into the oven for 10-15 minutes.
The best thing about this Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash is that you can get them on the table in just about 30 minutes if you plan ahead and do a little bit of work pre-meal time. I’ve included some tips for making ahead below.
Serving Suggestions:
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash is a really filling meal all on its own, no need to make any sides!
We like to serve it with a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of buffalo sauce, healthy ranch dressing, or healthy blue cheese dressing on top!
If you’re looking to have more veggies with your meal, try out Strawberry Avocado Salad or these Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts.
Storage
Storing: This will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Freezing: We don’t recommend freezing spaghetti squash. It can be very watery when thawed.
Reheating: You can reheat this recipe in the microwave, toaster oven or oven. It’s best when reheated in the oven or toaster oven so that the cheese gets melty and crispy!
Try these other healthy squash recipes:
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 2 small spaghetti squash or 1 large, about 3 lbs
- 2.5 cups cooked shredded chicken shredded chicken breasts (about 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked)
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped finely
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese divided
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup nonfat greek yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray sheet with olive oil.
- Prep the spaghetti squash. Slice the spaghetti squash lengthwise, remove seeds from the center + place on the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Spray the spaghetti squash with olive oil and place open face up. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
- While the spaghetti squash is cooking, mix together cooked chicken, broccoli, hot sauce, yogurt and half the shredded cheese.
- Once the spaghetti squash is cooked, shred by pulling at the center with a fork. Remove about half of the squash from the center of the skins.
- Add shredded spaghetti squash filling to the chicken/veggie/cheese/yogurt mixture.
- Stuff the spaghetti squash skins with the mixture. Top with remaining cheese + put back into the oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Optional: For the last 2 minutes turn the oven on Broil/High to get an extra brown, crispy, cheesy top.
Notes
- Cook the spaghetti squash before. That takes the longest. Wondering how do you cook a spaghetti squash in the microwave or instant pot? Here is a post on how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave and here is a post about how to cook spaghetti squash in the instant pot. Both methods take about 10 minutes. You can also just bake the spaghetti squash per the directions in the post at 400 for 30 minutes total. You can bake it the night before you want to have them for dinner and shred so that you’re 30 minutes ahead of the game come dinner time!
- Cook the chicken ahead of time. You have a few options for shredded chicken. You can make my Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, you can cook the chicken in the crockpot (you’d have to do it the day before or in the morning) OR you can say whatevs and just buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up.. any method will work.
Absolutely delish!!
Delicious and easy! And my very hungry boyfriend found it to be filling
I’m a little confused, is each boat 2 servings? I’m trying to get nutrition facts fir one serving, oh my I’m hoping one serving isn’t 25 grams fat
Hi Anette- The serving sizes are based on however you portion this out. We have this written that the recipe is 2 servings, meaning each half of the spaghetti squash is one serving. It’s alot of food. The fat comes from the cheese so if you’re concerned by that – feel free to use lower fat cheese or less cheese. However.. in addition to the fat this also has OVER 70g of protein- so as mentioned.. it’s alot of food. Either way the nutrition facts are just an estimate – if you need exact facts please scan the ingredients you used into my fitness pal and calculate accordingly. Hope this helsp!
This recipe popped up in my IG feed yesterday afternoon and I realized I had almost everything needed in my fridge!! One quick message to The Clean Eating Couple regarding a substitution (Greek yogurt vs regular) and I decided to make it for dinner— it is delicious! Super easy to make – delicious right out of the oven and today as leftovers!! Make it- and enjoy!!
So happy you liked it!!
We love this recipe!! It’s quick, easy and super delish!!
Absolutely loved this recipe, so filling and delicious!
So glad you liked it!!
I was about to make my usual spaghetti squash and meatballs, and then I came across this recipe on Instagram. I’m so glad I opted to switch it up with this recipe! I LOVE Buffalo chicken anything and Frank’s is the best, so I knew I couldn’t go wrong with this meal. And you definitely don’t even notice the Greek yogurt! Can’t wait to make it again! My husband and I loved it!
Thank you so much, Rosa! So happy to hear you both enjoyed it!!
These are so good! I was a little nervous cutting the spaghetti squash but the microwave tip really helped! Very filling.
Thank you!! Glad you found it helpful + liked the spqghetti squash boats 🙂
Such an easy but delicious recipe. I have 1 vegetarian in a household of 6 so I’m always looking for something that I can make for the entire family. I left out the chicken and we added mushrooms and red peppers to it. Next time I’ll make a small dish for the vegetarian and add chicken for the rest of us.
Thank you so much, Emily! Such a great idea to make it vegetarian 🙂
BEST spaghetti squash recipe ever. So delicious. Makes enough for two people (and even some lunch for me the next day!). Couldn’t love these more!!
So glad you like them, Alyssa!! I think the leftovers are even better the next day 🙂
I’ve been making this once a week or so and I love it! I usually end up with extra filling which is great on it’s own or added to a meal. The prep work is a little intensive, especially if you don’t have cooked/shredded chicken already made, but it’s worth it. It’s a great alternative to a creamy pasta dish or buffalo chicken dip
Thank you so much, Amanda! Sometimes depending on the size of our spaghetti squash we wind up with extra too..I like to put it over a salad!
This is one of my absolute favorite dishes to make! Ever! They are delicious and easy to make. I get so many messages when I post this meal!!! Everyone loves it! Go Liz and Tyler!
Thank you!! So glad you like them. They’re one of my favs and this is a high compliment coming from Marty-Mozz herself. 😉
These buffalo chicken spaghetti squash boats are so Instagrammable and adorable! As you know I made it a short while ago and it was lovely! Thx for sharing, Liz & Tyler!
Yay!! I’m so glad you liked them, Bella! Thanks for sharing them on your IG 🙂
This was insanely delicious! I love broccoli but was uncertain about it in this recipe – wow, were my reservations wrong! Gives the dish great crunch to offset the chicken. Definitely going in our regular rotation!
I’m so glad you liked it, Kate!! And that you enjoyed it with the broccoli – I like the added crunch it gives too 🙂 If you like buffalo – these Healthy Buffalo Turkey Meatballs are also really yummy!
I’m serving this up for dinner tonight! This looks so good! Thank you for the recipe!
So glad you like them, Liane! Enjoy!
This is so delicious! Was the perfect healthy dinner. Thanks!
I’m so glad you liked it, Santini!
I’ve just made this up for dinner tonight in an effort to eat healthier. I personally love the filling in the squash but my boys will think it’s tooooo healthy therefore will go into the meal thinking it’s gross. Have you ever baked this outside the skin or in an 8×8 pan? Would you suggest changing the cooking time?
Yes! I actually have a similar recipe for that. It’s this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole I’d follow the cooking directions in that 🙂
Loved this dish, super easy to make and was delicious
So glad you liked them, Sammie!!
This is such a perfect twist on a classic!! Loved the flavors and didn’t feel guilty for indulging 🙂 Perfect fall recipe.
So glad you like it, Jen!! Totally agree that it’s the perfect fall meal 🙂
This is my FAVORITE spaghetti squash recipe that I have come across! We love franks red hot at my house and I was convinced there just wasn’t going to be enough of it in this recipe so I added more than the recipe called for… boy was I wrong! My mouth was on fire.Trust Liz and Tyler with this one and follow the recipe as is. I promise you won’t be disappointed. This has been added to our regular dinner rotation.
I’m so glad you like it, Jonna!! It definitely is spicy, lol!!
Finally made this recipe after seeing it on Instagram and I’m obsessed! I put franks on everything and this is a guilt free dinner that I now make almost once a week. You would never know that there is greek yogurt in this, tastes just like buffalo chicken dip, but even better!
Thank you so much McKenna!! I’m so glad you like it! (Totally agree that it tastes like buffalo chicken dip!)
Do you Cook the broccoli first or use raw??? Thanks!
No, the broccoli is raw. It should be chopped per the directions in order for it to cook correctly!
Oh wow, that looks sooo good! Drooling over here!
Thanks, Ivan! They’re super cheesy and delish! You should try them!
LOL I love laziness too 🙂 I needed some new inspiration for spaghetti squash – I always just make spaghetti with it. BORING!
Honestly… I usually do the same thing! it’s so easy! But I’m trying to be a little bit more creative!
I love Frank’s and Buffalo flavoured everything! This is right up my alley , I’ll have to try them out!
Isn’t it the best? We put it on everything! Hope you like them 🙂