Description

Chicken Zucchini Poppers are flavorful, moist patties made with ground chicken and shredded zucchini, seasoned with garlic and fresh herbs, and pan-cooked to a golden brown. Served with a creamy cilantro-garlic dipping sauce, they make a perfect appetizer or light meal that’s both nutritious and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

For the 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
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh black pepper
1–2 tablespoons oil for cooking

For the Cilantro-Garlic Dipping Sauce

1 cup fresh cilantro
1 small garlic clove (or more depending on preference)
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cottage cheese
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the dipping sauce: Combine cilantro, garlic clove, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and distilled white vinegar in a food processor. Blend until smooth and well combined. Pop the sauce in the fridge to thicken and allow flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, chop cilantro finely and mix all ingredients by hand. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare the zucchini: Using a cheese grater, grate the zucchini into small pieces. Place the shredded zucchini on a paper towel, sprinkle with a tiny bit of kosher salt, and squeeze to remove excess moisture.
Mix the popper ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained zucchini, ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped chives, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and a sprinkle of fresh black pepper. Mix thoroughly and form into six evenly sized patties about 3 inches in diameter.
Cook the chicken zucchini poppers: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4 minutes on each side, until browned and cooked through. If the patties brown too quickly but aren’t cooked through, transfer them to a 350°F oven for 2 minutes to finish cooking.
Serve: Serve the poppers warm topped with a little bit of the cilantro-garlic dipping sauce or with the sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Removing excess moisture from the zucchini is crucial to prevent soggy patties.
The dipping sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated to enhance the flavor.
Ground chicken with 7% fat or more helps keep the poppers moist and flavorful.
If you don’t have a food processor, finely chopping cilantro and garlic and mixing by hand works just fine.
Cooking the patties in an oven finish helps ensure they cook fully without burning.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken Zucchini Poppers, chicken patties, healthy appetizers, zucchini recipe, low fat snack, easy chicken recipe