CHEESY CHICKEN ZUCCHINI BOMBS

I still remember the church picnic last summer, where everyone brought their best dish. The table groaned under the weight of potato salad, burgers, and pies, but it was my aunt Carol’s contribution that truly stole the show: bite-sized, savory wonders that everyone devoured in minutes. I managed to snag the last one and instantly knew I needed to recreate them myself! They were, without a doubt, the most delicious Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers I had ever tasted. Today, I’m sharing my perfected version, and I promise you, these will be a hit at your next gathering – or even just for a fun family dinner!

Making the BEST Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers

Okay, friends, let’s talk about these Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers. They’re the perfect appetizer, snack, or even light meal. They’re packed with flavor, relatively healthy (hello, zucchini!), and incredibly fun to make. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to sneak some extra veggies into your family’s diet, especially if you have picky eaters. Think of them as mini chicken parmesan bites with a secret garden surprise inside!

The magic of these poppers lies in the perfect balance of savory chicken, fresh zucchini, and gooey, melty cheese. But don’t be intimidated! I’m going to walk you through each step, ensuring your poppers come out perfectly golden brown and irresistibly delicious every single time. Get ready to impress!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredient Rundown

Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s make sure you have everything you need. Here’s a list of ingredients that will transform into Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers magic:

• Chicken: 1 pound of ground chicken. You can also use ground turkey or even finely diced chicken breast if you prefer.
• Zucchini: 2 medium zucchinis, grated and squeezed dry. Don’t skip the squeezing! Too much moisture will make the poppers soggy.
• Cheese: 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or even a blend!
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs. I prefer panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness, but regular breadcrumbs work just fine.
• Egg: 1 large egg, lightly beaten. This will help bind everything together.
• Garlic: 2 cloves of garlic, minced. Because everything is better with garlic!
• Onion: 1/4 cup of finely diced onion. Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. This is a key ingredient for that classic Italian flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Don’t be shy! Seasoning is essential.
• Olive Oil: For baking or pan-frying.

Step-by-Step: Creating Popper Perfection

Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying your own batch of Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers in no time.

1. Prepare the Zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. This step is crucial to prevent soggy poppers. You’ll be surprised how much water comes out!
2. Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, squeezed zucchini, mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, diced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix Well: Gently mix all the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the chicken tough. The mixture should be moist but not overly wet.
4. Shape the Poppers: Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into small, bite-sized balls. Aim for about 1-inch in diameter. Place the poppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake (or Pan-Fry):
   • Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly drizzle the poppers with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
   • Pan-Frying: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the poppers in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve and Enjoy!: Let the poppers cool slightly before serving. They’re delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or even a simple garlic aioli.

Success Tips for Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers

Want to guarantee popper perfection? Here are a few of my top tips:

• Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeze the Zucchini: I can’t stress this enough! The drier the zucchini, the better the texture of your poppers. Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and really squeeze out as much moisture as you can.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the chicken mixture can result in tough poppers. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: For uniform poppers, use a small cookie scoop to portion out the mixture. This will ensure that they all cook evenly.
• Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste the mixture before forming the poppers and adjust the seasoning as needed. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning!
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan (if pan-frying): Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature of the oil and result in soggy poppers. Cook the poppers in batches, making sure there’s enough space between them.

Variations and Additions: Popper Possibilities!

The beauty of these Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers is that they’re incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to create your own signature version. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Spicy Poppers: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture for a little kick.
• Mediterranean Poppers: Add chopped Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano for a Mediterranean twist.
• Mexican Poppers: Add diced jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and a sprinkle of chili powder for a Mexican-inspired flavor.
• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo Add finely chopped broccoli to the mix. If you love this idea, then you should take a look at this recipe for Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo .
• Add More Veggies: Grated carrots, chopped spinach, or finely diced bell peppers can also be added to the mixture.

Serving Suggestions: Popper Presentation

These Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers are delicious on their own, but they’re even better when served with the right accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions:

• Dipping Sauces: Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, garlic aioli, honey mustard, or sweet chili sauce.
• Salads: Serve them alongside a fresh green salad or a Caprese salad.
• Sides: Pair them with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice.
• If you are in mood for Bowls, you may consider BANG BANG CHICKEN BOWLS!
• If you are grilling some meat, you may want to serve this with Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips

Make-Ahead and Storage: Popper Prep

These Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers are perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare the mixture and form the poppers up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake or pan-fry them.

Storage:

Store leftover poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating:

Reheat the poppers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they may not be as crispy.

Freezing:

For longer storage, you can freeze the poppers. Place the baked or pan-fried poppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, bake them from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

Looking for other ways to use up that zucchini? You might consider this moist Chocolate Zucchini Bread or even these Mushroom Ricotta Zucchini Boats. And if you are in a mood for a different kind of deliciousness you may love BBQ CHICKEN MAC HEAVEN !

These poppers are great because you can use other vegetables too, just follow the rule of squeezing out extra water as you did with the zucchini.

Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers

Here’s the complete recipe for your convenience:

Yields: Approximately 24 poppers
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes (baking) or 12-16 minutes (pan-frying)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 medium zucchinis, grated and squeezed dry
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup finely diced onion
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for baking or pan-frying

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare skillet with olive oil.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, zucchini, cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix gently until just combined.
4. Form into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Drizzle with olive oil if baking.
6. Baking: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
7. Pan-Frying: Cook in skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
8. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes:

• Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic aioli.

There you have it! I truly hope you enjoy making these Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Poppers as much as I do. They are such a versatile and delicious way to enjoy chicken and veggies, and I know they’ll become a new favorite in your kitchen. Happy cooking!

Lady Maria

Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Bombs

These Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Bombs are a delicious and healthy way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. They’re perfect as an appetizer, snack, or light meal, and are packed with flavor from chicken, zucchini, and gooey cheese. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing treat!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 24

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 150

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 medium zucchinis, grated and squeezed dry
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs panko preferred
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Olive oil for baking or pan-frying

Equipment

• box grater
• Clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth
• Large bowl
• Spoon or cookie scoop
• baking sheet
• parchment paper
• Oven or Large Skillet
• measuring cups and spoons
• Garlic press (optional)

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Grate the zucchini using a box grater. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, squeezed zucchini, mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, diced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Gently mix all the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into small, bite-sized balls (about 1-inch in diameter). Place the poppers on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Lightly drizzle the poppers with olive oil.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
8. Let the poppers cool slightly before serving.
9. Alternatively, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the poppers in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Notes

For best results, ensure the zucchini is thoroughly squeezed dry to prevent soggy poppers. Do not overmix the chicken mixture to avoid tough poppers. These poppers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat in the oven for best results. Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic aioli for dipping. For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or experiment with different cheeses.