Description
Chicken Zucchini Poppers are a flavorful and healthy appetizer featuring ground chicken mixed with fresh shredded zucchini and herbs, pan-fried to perfection and served with a creamy cilantro dipping sauce. These juicy patties are easy to prepare and perfect for a light snack or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Zucchini Poppers
- 1 pound ground chicken (at least 7% fat recommended)
- 1-2 medium zucchini squash (about 1½ cups shredded)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons oil for cooking
Creamy Cilantro Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Combine cilantro, garlic clove, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and vinegar in a food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to thicken and allow flavors to meld. Alternatively, finely chop cilantro and mix all ingredients by hand. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Zucchini: Grate the zucchini squash using a cheese grater and place the shredded zucchini on a paper towel. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture.
- Mix the Patties: In a large bowl, combine drained zucchini, ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped chives, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well and form mixture into six 3-inch patties.
- Cook the Patties: Heat oil in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. If patties are browning too quickly but not fully cooked, transfer them to a 350-degree oven for 2 minutes to finish cooking.
- Serve: Serve the chicken zucchini poppers warm with the creamy cilantro sauce for dipping or top each popper with the sauce before serving.
Notes
- If fresh chives are unavailable, substitute with green onion for a similar flavor.
- Ground chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness and flavor, but chicken breast with some fat (around 93/7) works well too.
- For a dairy-free, paleo, or Whole30 version of the sauce, omit the cottage cheese and use extra mayonnaise. Reduce vinegar to 1-2 teaspoons as desired. The sauce will be thinner.
- For an egg-free mayonnaise option, try an Aquafaba Mayo recipe.
- Store leftover poppers in the refrigerator, or freeze for long-term storage. Defrost thoroughly before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty with sauce
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
