Description
Cheesy zucchini poppers blend crisp garden vegetables with melted parmesan for an irresistible appetizer. Guests will devour these golden-brown bites that combine fresh herbs, creamy cheese, and crunchy breadcrumbs in one perfect mouthful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken (at least 7% fat recommended)
- 1–2 medium zucchini squash (about 1½ cups shredded)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsps fresh chives, chopped
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp fresh black pepper
- 1–2 tbsps oil for cooking
- 1 tbsp cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Blend cilantro, garlic, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and white vinegar in a food processor until smooth and vibrant green, then refrigerate for flavor enhancement.
- Zucchini Processing: Grate zucchini, salt, and drain excess moisture by squeezing thoroughly with a kitchen towel to ensure crisp texture.
- Mixture Creation: Combine drained zucchini with ground chicken, minced garlic, chives, salt, and black pepper, mixing gently to maintain a tender consistency.
- Popper Shaping: Form the mixture into 6 compact patties, each about 2.5 inches in diameter, ensuring uniform size and shape.
- Cooking Process: Sear poppers in a non-stick skillet over medium heat (350°F), cooking 4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serving: Plate the hot poppers alongside the chilled cilantro sauce, optionally garnishing with fresh chives for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Drain Zucchini Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture completely to prevent soggy poppers and ensure a crisp, appetizing texture that holds together during cooking.
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Handle the chicken and zucchini mixture delicately to maintain a light, tender consistency without overworking the ingredients.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe consumption and preventing foodborne illnesses.
- Sauce Resting Time: Allow cilantro sauce to chill for at least 30 minutes, letting flavors intensify and create a more complex, vibrant dipping experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg