Description
Spicy chicken zucchini poppers deliver a flavor explosion with Mediterranean-inspired zest. Drizzled with cool cilantro sauce, these crispy bites offer a perfect balance of lean protein and fresh garden vegetables that keep your palate dancing.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground chicken
Vegetables:
- 1–2 medium zucchini squash
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.25 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 small garlic clove
- 0.33 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Instructions
- Craft the creamy cilantro sauce by blending cilantro, garlic, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and vinegar in a food processor until smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste profile.
- Grate zucchini using a box grater, then spread the shredded vegetable on paper towels. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and gently press to extract excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture for the poppers.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the drained zucchini with ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped chives, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients, then shape the mixture into 6 evenly sized patties.
- Heat a skillet over medium flame and lightly coat with cooking oil. Carefully place the chicken-zucchini patties into the pan, cooking for approximately 4 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms and the interior reaches a safe cooking temperature. If needed, transfer to a preheated 350°F oven for an additional 2 minutes to ensure complete cooking.
- Plate the sizzling poppers and accompany with the prepared cilantro sauce. Serve immediately while the poppers are warm and crisp, allowing diners to drizzle or dip as desired.
Notes
- Creamy cilantro sauce packs a zesty punch, transforming ordinary chicken zucchini poppers into a flavor explosion.
- Squeezing moisture from zucchini ensures crispy, perfectly textured patties that won’t fall apart during cooking.
- Cooking these poppers requires careful attention to heat and timing, creating golden-brown exteriors with juicy interiors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 348
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg