Ingredients
Chicken 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
Cilantro Garlic Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 small garlic clove (or more depending on preference)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Instructions
- Make the Cilantro Garlic Dipping Sauce: Combine cilantro, garlic clove, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and distilled white vinegar in a food processor and blend until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld. Alternatively, finely chop the cilantro and mix all ingredients by hand. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Zucchini and Chicken Mixture: Using a cheese grater, grate the zucchini into small pieces and place them on a paper towel. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and squeeze to remove any excess moisture. Transfer the zucchini to a large bowl and add ground chicken, minced garlic, chopped chives, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything until well combined. Form the mixture into six 3-inch patties.
- Cook the Chicken Zucchini Poppers: Heat a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add the patties and cook each side for approximately 4 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. If the patties brown too quickly and are not fully cooked inside, transfer them to a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 2 minutes to finish cooking.
- Serve: Serve the warm chicken zucchini poppers with the prepared cilantro garlic dipping sauce on the side or spoon a little sauce directly on top of each popper before serving.
Notes
- Removing excess moisture from the zucchini is crucial to prevent soggy patties.
- Ground chicken with a bit of fat (around 7%) helps keep the poppers juicy.
- If you don’t have a food processor, finely chopping the herbs and mixing the sauce by hand works well.
- Adjust garlic amount in the dipping sauce based on your preference.
- These poppers can also be finished in the oven if you prefer a more even cooking or to avoid burning on the skillet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
