Flavorful Chicken Zucchini Poppers with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

Table of Contents

An excellent and nutritious substitute for conventional meatballs are these Chicken Zucchini Poppers with Creamy Cilantro Sauce. These poppers are juicy, delicious, and very fulfilling because they are loaded with lean ground chicken, shredded zucchini, and fresh herbs. The poppers are nicely complemented by the spicy, herbaceous taste of the creamy cilantro sauce, which makes this dish excellent for a light entrée, appetizer, or snack. Let’s get started with this simple dish that is so flavorful and fresh!

Ingredients

Chicken Zucchini Poppers

1 pound ground chicken (at least 7% fat recommended for juiciness)
1-2 medium zucchini squash (about 1½ cups shredded)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh black pepper
1-2 tablespoons oil for cooking (such as olive oil or avocado oil)

Creamy Cilantro Sauce

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 small clove garlic (adjust to taste)
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cottage cheese
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

METHOD:

Get the chicken and zucchini mixture ready. After grating the zucchini, spread it out on a fresh kitchen towel. To prevent watery poppers, squeeze away extra moisture.
Combine the ground chicken, chopped chives, minced garlic, shredded zucchini, kosher salt, black pepper, and kosher salt in a large mixing basin.
Create the Poppers: Shape the dough into tiny balls, each approximately 1½ inches in diameter, using your hands or a little scoop. On a dish, arrange them.
Prepare the Poppers: In a large pan, heat 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil over medium heat. Don’t overcrowd the pan;
once heated, put the poppers in a single layer. The poppers should be fried through and golden brown after 3–4 minutes on each side (the internal temperature should reach 165°F). If necessary, move to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any extra oil.
To make the Creamy Cilantro Sauce, put the fresh cilantro leaves, garlic, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, and white vinegar in a blender or food processor. Add garlic to taste and blend until smooth and creamy.
Serve and Savor: With a side of creamy cilantro sauce for dipping, serve the warm chicken zucchini poppers. If preferred, garnish with more cilantro or chives.

Conclusion

These protein-rich, delicious chicken zucchini poppers with creamy cilantro sauce are ideal for any occasion. These poppers are made even more delicious by the lovely creaminess and flavor that the fresh cilantro sauce imparts. Serve them as a delicious light supper, snack, or appetizer that will satisfy everyone!