Creamy Chicken And Spaghetti Squash Boats Food

CREAMY CHICKEN BACON SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 F.
• Make the "pasta": Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Drizzle the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the squash face-down on a rimmed baking sheet and add 2 tablespoons of water to the baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the squash is fork-tender and the skin gives when you press your finger into it. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Leave the oven on, but reduce the temperature to 350 F.
• While the squash is baking, prepare the sauce: In a large saute pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel to cool, then crumble it.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute the garlic in the 2 tablespoons of oil for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes, or until it begins to become translucent. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken, then add to the skillet and cook until golden and no pink remains. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix to combine.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the mayo. Add the bacon and mix again.
• Once the spaghetti squash has cooled, take two forks and fluff the threadlike spaghetti within the boats so its no longer attached to the walls of the squash.
• Add the chicken mixture to the center of each boat and mix to combine it with the "spaghetti."
• Top with the cheese, if using, and bake for 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.

CHICKEN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the squash in half crosswise using a serrated knife. Dig out and discard the seeds with a spoon. Place into an 8-by-8-inch microwave-safe casserole dish with 2 tablespoons water. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and microwave on high until the squash is very tender and the inside can easily be flaked with a fork, 13 to 14 minutes. Use a fork to scrap the sides of the squash, separating the strands. Leave the scraped strands in the squash. Drain and dry the casserole dish.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until they have released most of their moisture and start to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper, scallion whites, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the peppers are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the half-and-half and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid has reduced slightly and starts to thicken, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Fold in the chicken and 2 cups Cheddar and stir until the cheese has melted. Add the spaghetti squash strands and stir until well combined. Transfer the squash mixture to the casserole dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining Cheddar. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 17 to 20 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the scallion greens before serving.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOATS WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Roast the spaghetti squash according to this recipe for Roasted Spaghetti Squash. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan over medium and add the bacon. Cook until the bacon is crisp and the fat has rendered; about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and pat dry.
• Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and season with garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sauté until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, then add the spinach. Stir the chicken and spinach together until the spinach wilts, then stir in the Greek yogurt, half of the mozzarella cheese, and basil.
• Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to shred and fluff the inside flesh so it's no longer attached to the walls and makes a "nest."
• Divide the chicken filling evenly among the boats, using a fork to lightly mix it with the spaghetti squash. Arrange the stuffed squash on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the reserved bacon and remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Bake until the cheesy is bubbly, about 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve hot, sprinkled with additional fresh basil.

CREAMY CHICKEN AND SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Whisk salad dressing, pepper flakes, onion powder, and paprika together in a bowl and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Pierce squash with a fork lengthwise around the center edge. Place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on size. Let cool in the microwave for 1 minute.
• Remove from the microwave and slice in half along the score line. Scoop out and discard seeds. Rub flesh with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place squash halves, cut-sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes.
• While the squash is baking, pour chicken and marinade into a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook until juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add garlic to the skillet and reduce heat to medium; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and tomatoes and saute until spinach is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cream, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese; cook until melted and heated through, about 3 minutes. Add chicken back to the skillet and warm it up for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove squash from the oven and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Flip squash halves over, and use a fork to shred the flesh into strands, keeping it inside the shells. Spoon in the sauce mixture and toss gently to mix with squash. Top each half with mozzarella cheese.
• Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Let sit for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI TWICE-BAKED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• With a sharp knife, carefully cut about four 1/2-inch slits in the squash to allow steam to escape while it cooks. Put the squash on a baking sheet and roast for about 1 1/2 hours. Let the squash cool for about 20 minutes on the baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a bowl and prepare an ice water bath. Blanch the broccoli briefly in the boiling water, then transfer to the ice bath to cool. Drain and set aside.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. With a large fork, pull the squash fibers away from the outer peel (use a towel to hold the squash in place if necessary). Reserve the squash and the outer peel.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Put the milk and garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat and heat until it just begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the Neufchatel cheese, Parmesan and 1 cup of the mozzarella and stir until melted. Turn off the heat, stir in the yogurt and season with salt and pepper. Remove the garlic. Add the squash, chicken and broccoli and toss to coat. Divide the mixture between the reserved squash peels. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
• Place the stuffed squash onto a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, a few minutes.