Easy Chicken Zucchini Bites (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken Patties

01 - 1 pound ground chicken (preferably with at least 7% fat for better flavor)
02 - 1-2 medium zucchini, freshly grated (about 1½ cups when shredded)
03 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil

→ Creamy Cilantro Sauce

08 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
09 - 1 small garlic clove
10 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
11 - 1 tablespoon cottage cheese
12 - 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Throw the cilantro, garlic, mayo, cottage cheese, and vinegar into a food processor and blend until smooth. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and thicken up. If you don't have a food processor, just finely chop the cilantro and mix everything by hand. Season with salt and pepper until it tastes just right.
02 - Grab your zucchini and grate it using a cheese grater. Place the shredded zucchini on a paper towel, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and give it a good squeeze to get rid of excess moisture. In a large bowl, mix the zucchini with ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped chives, kosher salt, and a generous crack of black pepper until well combined.
03 - With slightly damp hands, shape the mixture into 6 patties, each about 3 inches across. Try to make them evenly sized so they'll cook at the same rate.
04 - Heat the oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the patties and cook for about 4 minutes per side until they're nicely browned and cooked through. If they're browning too quickly but still seem undercooked inside, pop them in a 350°F oven for an additional 2 minutes to finish cooking.
05 - Plate up your poppers while they're still warm! Either serve the cilantro sauce on the side for dipping or spoon a little onto each popper before serving.

# Notes:

01 - If fresh chives aren't available, green onions make a perfect substitute.
02 - Ground chicken thighs are more flavorful and juicy than breast meat, but either will work well.
03 - For a dairy-free version of the sauce, skip the cottage cheese and replace with additional mayo, reducing the vinegar to 1-2 teaspoons.
04 - These poppers freeze beautifully for quick meals later on.

Back