These BBQ Chicken Pizza Spaghetti Squash boats have all the delicious flavors of a BBQ Chicken Pizza – sweet and savory BBQ chicken, red onions and two kinds of cheese, stuffed in a spaghetti squash boat!
Heeeeyyy, you probably thought I forgot about spaghetti squash. Don’t worry, my friends, I did not (much to my husband’s chagrin). Remember when I made THIS spaghetti squash boat that was inspired by a pizza? Well it was only a matter of time before I did it again. And really, no one is more surprised than me that it took me this long. Because I am not embarrassed to admit that BBQ Chicken Pizza is one of my favorite kinds of pizza. Don’t hate me.
Do you hate me? I only ask because BBQ chicken pizza is kind of a polarizing pizza. People have very strong feelings about it, on both sides. There are some people who will turn their noses up at it. And really, if you are one of those people? You don’t know what you are missing. Because I am firmly in the LOVE camp when it comes to BBQ Chicken Pizza. I am in the LOVE camp of almost anything BBQ, which might explain my affection for the pizza and therefore this spaghetti squash boat. Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, chicken, and TWO kinds of cheese? HOW can you not love that?
So anyway, because I love this pizza but I am forever looking for ways to replace carbs with veggies, I invented the BBQ Chicken Pizza SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOAT. That’s right. I went there.
BBQ Chicken Pizza Spaghetti Squash Boats. All the flavor, no crust!
First I made some homemade BBQ sauce. Which I plan on sharing with you, but I really feel like it needs more tweaking before it goes on the blog. Then I made some Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken! Then I took all the components of a good BBQ Chicken Pizza and I threw it into a spaghetti squash boat and topped it with two kinds of cheese because that’s what I do. The smoked gouda is a really nice addition, I found if in the fancy cheese section of my Fred Meyer. But you can use all mozzarella if you prefer.
I did use the crockpot to make the BBQ Chicken, but if you don’t want to use the crock pot or you don’t have one, you can just bake the chicken in the oven. Heck, you could even buy a rotisserie chicken, shred it and toss it in some BBQ sauce. Whatever floats your (spaghetti squash) boat.
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BBQ Chicken Pizza Spaghetti Squash Boats
Ingredients
For The Spaghetti Squash Boats:
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 red onion diced, plus a few rings saved for topping
- 3 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
- 2 ounces shredded smoked gouda
- 4 ounces shredded whole milk mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded BBQ Chicken see below
- 2 tablespoons cilantro coarsely chopped
- red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
For The Shredded BBQ Chicken
- 1 pound 2 pounds if you want leftovers boneless skinless chicken thighs*
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
To Make The Chicken:
Crockpot method:
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, place in crockpot with BBQ sauce and cook on low for 4 hours. After 4 hours, remove chicken and shred with two forks. Place back in crock pot and toss in the sauce, cook for 30 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Oven Method:
- Heat Oven to 425°F. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then cover in BBQ sauce. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Shred or dice and toss in sauce. (you may have leftover chicken. Feel free to use more chicken than the recipe calls for if desired)
For the Spaghetti Squash Boats:
- Cut ends off of spaghetti squash and slice in half. Scoop out seeds. Place spaghetti squash in a microwave safe dish, cut side up. Microwave for 12-15 minutes, or until flesh easily shreds with a fork. Use a fork to shred the spaghetti squash into "noodles", keep shells of squash for stuffing.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes and garlic, sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, until onion is starting to soften. Add the spaghetti squash, chicken and 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce, mix until well combined. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Place the empty spaghetti squash shells in a large baking dish and evenly divide the BBQ spaghetti squash mixture between them. Top evenly with mozzarella and gouda cheese, drop a few small dollops of BBQ sauce in a few spots, then arrange remaining onion rings on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. If you would like the cheese to get a little browned, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and red pepper flakes. 1 spaghetti squash boat is two servings.
Notes
**Cook time varies depending on how you prepare your chicken. Chicken can be made ahead of time to make this a quick meal.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I partnered Fred Meyer for this recipe, however, my opinions, as always, are 100% my own. Integrity is important to me, and I only share brands and products that I think are awesome. Thank you for supporting Fox and Briar!
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Becky says
I am so excited to see this, I love BBQ Chicken Pizza it’s so much better than any other meat pizza. With a new diet restriction I thought for sure I would never taste it again. I can’t wait to give this one a try! Especially when looking down my list of can and cannots spaghetti squash is one of my carb choices. I let you know how it goes!
Meghan says
Yay, I’m so excited to hear that Becky! I hope you love it, can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Jennifer A Stewart says
I am so addicted to spaghetti squash. I thought it a crappy alternative to real pasta when I went paleo two years ago but when I eat pasta, my tummy hurts so bad! Now I love spaghetti squash and this a great new recipe for me to try!!
Meghan says
I’m glad you love Spaghetti Squash as much as me Jennifer! I really prefer it to pasta most times, unless I really want some carby goodness 🙂
Ashlyn // Dollop Of Yum says
I have only had spaghetti squash once but want to try out more recipes with it! I LOVE BBQ chicken pizza so I love the fact that I can enjoy it in a healthier way!
Meghan says
It is the best, AShloyn! You would love it! Thanks girl!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I’m in the camp that adores BBQ chicken pizza! And the fact that you cut down on the carbs with spaghetti squash instead is quite brilliant.
Meghan says
Yay! I’m glad you are in the love for BBQ Chicken Pizza with me.
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
BBQ Chicken Pizza is my fave, 9/10 it’s what I order when getting pizza! My other favourite is Tuna & Sweetcorn, which I only recently found out is only a thing in the UK – it’s so good though, I’ve turned my American friends over to it already!
Loving this pizza in a spaghetti squash though, it looks sooooo good! I’ve never seen spaghetti squash around here so will have to keep an eye out for it!
Meghan says
That is so funny Michelle! I have never heard of tuna and sweetcorn pizza! But I’m glad we agree on BBQ chicken Pizza! Also, yo uneeed to start growing spaghetti squash! I couldn’t live without it!
Puja Darshan says
I am a vegetarian, so I will not be able to enjoy the tastes of this recipe but I definitely liked the photography and the presentation of your recipe!!!
Meghan says
Thank you Puja! Maybe you could sub something for the chicken?
Tracy says
Wait what?! There are people who turn their noses up at BBQ chicken pizza?! Psh- no one need that kind of negativity in their lives! ? These look amazing!
Meghan says
I know right!?! I’m so glad we agree Tracy! 🙂
annie says
lol “much to my husband’s chagrin.” My guy doesn’t like spaghetti squash either.
I love bbq sauce on pizza, and if that makes me trashy, so what. I would have never thought to add smoked gouda to bbq sauce. what an awesome idea!
Meghan says
LOL! I thought he would hate this creation but to my surprise he actually liked it! But he was fine with just the one serving. One step at a time! Thanks Annie, and the smoked gouda is so good with the BBQ sauce!
Allyson says
I bet the smoked gouda is fantastic with this. BBQ pizza’s never been my favorite, but I’d also not say no to it. I bet I’d like this even more than the pizza version.
Meghan says
The smoked gouda is soo good! Thanks Allyson!
E.A. says
“”Whatever floats your boat…”???
Love it!! Also, may I say that these pictures are stellar!! I’m a visual learner, so they pull me right in~~can’t wait to try the spaghetti boat pizza. Sounds like a winner!
?????
Meghan says
Haha! Thank you!
Dawn at Girl Heart Food says
I LOVE all kinds of pizza, Meghan! I know what you’re saying, though, some people aren’t fans of bbq sauce on their pizza just like some people hold their noses up to pineapple on their pizza. Whatevs, right? I don’t care as long as it tastes good, that’s the main thing. And like you said, how can you not like this? Great way to change things up from ordinary pizza night, that’s for sure 🙂 !
Meghan says
Yes! All pizza is good pizza! Thanks so much Dawn!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says
This is such a neat idea! I bet they taste wonderful 🙂 I looove BBQ chicken pizza!!!
Meghan says
Thanks you Natasha! I’m glad you are in the BBQ Chicken Pizza camp with me!!
Mimi says
wow. quite brilliant, I must say! These would bring a smile to anyone’s faces.
Meghan says
Thanks so much Mimi!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I must admit….it’s not my favorite kind of pizza. The rest of my family LOVE it! I love the idea of these squash boats. Yummy ingredients and healthy spaghetti squash! Great idea! 🙂
Meghan says
Haha! It’s OK, BBQ chicken pizza is not for everyone! Thanks so much Kathy!