Dill-Pickle Chicken Zucchini Poppers
These Dill-Pickle Chicken Zucchini Poppers are bursting with flavor and packed with protein and sneaky veggies—perfect for snacks or parties!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup grated zucchini excess moisture removed
- 1/2 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- turkey bacon cut into pieces (optional for wrapping)
Instructions
Prepare the Zucchini
- Start by grating the zucchini. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible to prevent soggy poppers.
Mix the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated zucchini, dill pickles, green onions, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until evenly distributed.
Form the Poppers
- Shape the mixture into bite-sized balls or oval-shaped poppers. If using turkey bacon, wrap a piece around each popper and secure with a toothpick.
Bake to Perfection
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place poppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and poppers are golden brown. Bake until bacon is crispy if wrapped.
Serve and Enjoy
- Allow poppers to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy on their own or with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy aioli. Serve with a salad or steamed veggies for a light meal.
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Grater
- Kitchen towel or paper towels
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Oven
Notes
- Remove excess moisture from zucchini thoroughly to keep poppers from becoming soggy.
- Fresh dill is preferred for vibrant flavor; reduce amount if using dried dill.
- Broil poppers for 1-2 minutes after baking for extra crispiness, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Freeze poppers before baking for easy meal prep; bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes.
- Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free options or panko for dietary preferences.