This Chicken, Spinach & Artichoke Spaghetti Squash is a low carb dinner and a healthier take on the popular creamy dip!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like avocado or sunflower oil.
- Spaghetti squash – you can try making this recipe using butternut squash or acorn squash, but it won’t have the same noodle-like texture as spaghetti squash.
- Chicken breasts – boneless skinless chicken thighs would also work or you can leave out the chicken entirely.
- Onion powder – finely diced onion or even garlic powder can be used instead.
- Chili flakes – leave these out if you’re not a fan of spice.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
- Artichoke – you can leave the artichokes out altogether if you don’t have any on hand.
- Spinach – or another dark leafy green like kale.
- Goat cheese – cream cheese would be the best substitute here.
- Mozzarella cheese – use another shredded cheese of your choice.
How to make spaghetti squash boats
- Bake the squash and scrape out the flesh.
- Sauté the chicken.
- Add in the artichoke, spinach and goat cheese.
- Stuff the squash boats with the spinach artichoke filling.
- Bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Roasting the spaghetti squash
Before stuffing your spaghetti squash, you’ll need to roast it so it’s nice and tender. Here’s how to roast spaghetti squash perfectly every time:
- Slice your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. If you find that it’s too tough first, microwave it for 2-3 minutes before cutting it in half.
- Scoop out the seeds.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven at 425° Fahrenheit for 30 minutes – this will make it al dente, but don't worry, you'll be roasting it more once you add the chicken.
- Scrape the insides with a fork to create spaghetti-like strands of squash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spaghetti squash has a mild but slightly sweet flavour, which makes it a great low carb substitute for traditional noodles. For this recipe, I paired the spaghetti squash with chicken and a creamy spinach and artichoke dip – it’s so delicious!
You’ll want to cut the spaghetti squash in half for this recipe so you have two evenly-sized boats. The exterior skin of the squash can be super tough, so if you find that it’s hard to cut into, microwave the squash for 2-3 minutes first. After it’s cooled down, the skin should be a lot softer and easier to cut into!
This recipe has 440 calories per serving. If you want to make it even healthier, go light on the extra mozzarella on top.
Storing and reheating
You can store these spaghetti squash boats in the fridge for up to 5 days in airtight glass containers. For reheating, I’d suggest sticking them in the oven for 10 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit. You can also microwave them for 2 minutes if you’re in a pinch!
You also have the option to make the filling and/or roast the spaghetti squash up to 2 days in advance. It’s a great way to prep some components beforehand and saves time.
Can you freeze spaghetti squash?
This recipe freezes very well – just make sure to store in glass bowls with lids and freeze for up to 3 months. You can defrost in the fridge overnight or just microwave it right from frozen for 6-7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Reheating from frozen in the oven for 45 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit would also work.
You can also freeze the filling by itself or freeze the roasted spaghetti squash components alone instead of the entire cooked meal.
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Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls to store this recipe as leftovers.
- I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
Chicken, Spinach & Artichoke Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 spaghetti squash, sliced in half & seeds scooped out
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 (400mL) can artichoke hearts, chopped
- 3 cups spinach, chopped
- 1/3 cup goat cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F. Microwave squash for 2 minutes. Slice in half and scoop out seeds. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add 1 tbsp olive oil to a large skillet. Add chicken and saute until lightly browned, about 5-6 min. Season with salt and pepper, onion powder and chili flakes. Add artichokes, spinach and goat cheese, stirring for about 1 minute or until spinach softens.
- Remove spaghetti squash from oven and scrape with a fork. Divide spinach mixture among each spaghetti squash half, then top with mozzarella cheese. Bake another 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Casey says
I made this tonight and I think it is a great starter recipe. One, the spaghetti squash took about an hour ( vs half hour) to become soft at 425. Second, I think 3 chicken breasts is way too much chicken given the size of the squash cavities. Third, the filling, though delicious, was dry. I think the recipe can be much improved by correcting the pre-bake time for the squash, reducing the chicken to maybe 1.5 – 2 cups chicken, and adding chicken broth or another liquid to the filling to the point of it being somewhat creamy. Thanks for creating this recipe – it is loved but can be loved more.
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks for your feedback Casey! All ovens are different and so are sizes of spaghetti squash so I did find my squash took 30 minutes but if depends on how soft you like it. So glad you enjoyed 🙂