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You are here: Home / Dinner / Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites

Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites

August 29, 2019 By Taesha 25 Comments

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These Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites aren’t just easy to make, but they are super delicious and a healthy start to dinner! Family-friendly, gluten free, Paleo and Whole30.

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Veggie-loaded chicken bites ready and served with sauce ona white plate, looking absolutely delicious and inviting

Return to routine

I think we are all getting back into the swing of life. Summer is coming to an end and the season of fall not only brings the return of school, but the return of routine and schedules to many!

My husband said it best last week, as our entire family flopped onto the couch on Friday evening, whipped from the week.

“We have a return-to-routine hangover,” he said, sprawled out next to me (and the dog). Our daughter had pretty much face planted into the pillows at the far end of the couch and I was sandwiched between everyone…wondering if I truly had to get up and make dinner.

We had just finished our first week back-to-school (for my husband and daughter) and we were feeling the hustle and bustle…hard. As tempting as it was in our exhaustion to order a pizza or make PB sandwiches for dinner (which, both by the way, have their time and their place), I peeled myself off the couch, determined to make an easy, veggie-loaded dinner for us.

Chicken bites

Upon opening my fridge, I saw the makings for these veggie-loaded chicken bites staring back at me. I had made the earlier in the week and they were a hit. Such a hit, in fact, that the leftovers had doubled as lunchbox fillings for them the next day!

Four recipe steps collage showing the beginning of the process and the final result of the recipe.

And since these veggie-loaded chicken bites are full of vegetables, I felt good that a healthy dinner could come together without me having to fill my sink with dishes (that I didn’t want to do) or stressing myself out.

These puppies were thrown together in a few minutes and cooked to perfection while I got some fruit and a quick salad together to finish off the meal. Easy peasy, super healthy, and family-approved…just how I like it!

Suggested adaptions for making veggie-loaded chicken bites

  • Make them with ground turkey instead! Both are very interchangeable with one another in recipes!
  • Use more of one veggie and less (or none) of another! Modify this recipe to fit your family’s personal taste preferences or to use what you have on hand! If your crew doesn’t like spinach, skip it and add a little more zucchini or carrot.
  • Bake them instead. Pop them into a 400℉ oven for 20ish minutes (or until cooked through).
  • Make them into burgers!
Dipping one of the veggie-loaded chicken bites into sauce with many other chicken bites waiting for their turn on the plate.
An overhead on the healthy and delicious Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites with veggies on the side and mouthwatering sauce on the plate.

Other veggie-loaded recipes you will love…

  • Glorious Green Veggie Chicken Burgers 
  • Healthy & Easy Turkey Burgers
  • Instant Pot Salsa & Spinach Shredded Chicken
  • Chicken & Cauliflower Meatballs

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Veggie-loaded chicken bites ready and served with sauce ona white plate, looking absolutely delicious and inviting
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites

These Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites aren't just easy to make, but they are super delicious and a healthy start to dinner! Family-friendly, gluten free, Paleo and Whole30
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy chicken nuggets, hidden veggies, whole30 chicken nuggets
Servings: 18 bites
Calories: 42kcal
Author: Taesha

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 cup grated zucchini
  • 1 cup grated carrot
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach, loosely packed
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • oil for cooking

Instructions

  • Take shredded zucchini and put it in the middle of a clean dish towel or large piece of paper towel. Wrap up the zucchini with towel squeeze a few times to help drain out some of the zucchini’s moisture.
  • In a large bowl, combine drained zucchini and remaining ingredients except oil. Using clean hands or a spoon, mix until well combined.
  • Form into bites and set aside
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook bites until a golden-brown crust starts to form and chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes per side
  • Enjoy warm and with your favorite dipping sauce. Allow leftovers to cool completely and store in an air-tight container in fridge for 4-5 days

Notes

  • No chicken? Make them with ground turkey instead!
  • Use more of one veggie and less (or none) of another!
  • You can bake these chicken bites
  • Or turn them into burgers – so good! 

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1296IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!

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Filed Under: Dinner, Veggie-Loaded, Whole30 Tagged With: healthy chicken bites, healthy chicken nuggets, toddler meal ideas, veggie-loaded dinner ideas, whole30 recipes

Previous Post: « 15 Healthy Muffins for Kids
Next Post: Instant Pot Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ben

    August 30, 2019 at 3:28 am

    5 stars
    Made these for dinner tonight and I don’t know who loved them more…my partner or my toddler!

    Reply
    • Taesha

      August 30, 2019 at 3:29 am

      Yes!!! That is always a win!

      Reply
  2. IMS

    August 30, 2019 at 11:35 pm

    5 stars
    This was a hit with the kids and adults! I will definitely be batch cooking these for the freezer. Thank you as always!

    Reply
    • Taesha

      August 31, 2019 at 1:08 am

      Yay! I’m so glad they were a hit and I love the idea of batch cooking them!

      Reply
  3. Kristin

    September 2, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Just made a double batch for our lunches for the week! Was wondering what kind of dipping sauce you serve with them?

    Reply
    • Taesha

      September 2, 2019 at 3:08 pm

      I like them with ranch or a sugar-free ketchup! I bet a honey mustard dip would go really well with these as well!

      Reply
  4. Bonni Galley

    September 2, 2019 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    10out of 10!

    Reply
    • Taesha

      September 3, 2019 at 3:45 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad you loved them!

      Reply
  5. KateP

    September 28, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    Have you tried these in the oven instead of frying? (I’m less concerned over cook time, more looking to reduce my cook efforts)

    Reply
    • Taesha

      September 29, 2019 at 12:57 am

      Yes! I actually included how to in the suggested adaptations part of the post

      Reply
      • KateP

        October 2, 2019 at 10:26 pm

        I see it now! Thanks! New to your site – tried your pumpkin soufflé this week and it is excellent!

        Reply
  6. Annemarie Revell

    October 21, 2019 at 6:51 pm

    Do you think these would freeze well? Looking to make them for when I’m away so husband has an easy dinner to thaw out.

    Reply
    • Taesha

      October 21, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      Yes, but I would cook them first and then freeze.

      Reply
      • Annemarie

        October 29, 2019 at 10:55 pm

        that’s that I was thinking. Thanks!

        Reply
  7. Anna

    January 2, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Do you think these would work with tofu? They look so tasty!

    Reply
    • Taesha

      January 2, 2020 at 5:56 pm

      Hmmmm. I haven’t cooked with tofu in so long that I am not sure. Though I am wondering about maybe smashed chickpeas! Now you have me dreaming up a vegetarian version!

      Reply
  8. Carla Gagniere

    May 8, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    5 stars
    Late for the game, but I think I won it. Made these nuggets today, and they are easy to make and super tasty. My toddler who loves chicken had stopped self hand eating it for a while now, and that’s the main reason I tried this recipe. She loved it and she ate chicken again and most importantly veggie loaded. Love it! Thanks for all your recipes.

    Reply
    • Taesha

      May 8, 2020 at 4:35 pm

      I am so glad to hear they were a hit, Carla!

      Reply
  9. Caitlin

    June 12, 2020 at 1:48 am

    What do you think about making these in the air-fryer? I’ve made them for my 11 month old twice (she loves them!) once on the stove and once in the oven. But my husband just got my an air fryer for my birthday. Would they work in there? Do you have any idea about cooking time/temp? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Taesha

      June 12, 2020 at 4:11 pm

      An interesting idea! I haven’t tried them in an air fryer and truthfully don’t have an air fryer, so I am not helpful in guiding you in how adapt this recipe for one. If you give it a go, let us know how it goes.

      Reply
  10. AC

    July 30, 2020 at 2:45 pm

    5 stars
    these were great. made with ground turkey and added some leftover quinoa, because i realized i had way too many veggies (and was too lazy to store the extras). really tasty and flexible. will make again!

    Reply
    • Taesha

      July 30, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed these! Love the addition of quinoa!

      Reply
  11. Helena

    October 1, 2020 at 9:50 pm

    5 stars
    Every dinner needs a starter like this. Delicious, healthy and easily a hit at any table – perfect if you ask me!

    Reply
  12. Meifenwei

    October 15, 2020 at 11:38 am

    Deliciousss!!!both my kids eat this without complain!!thanks for the great recipe. Definitely will make thiz again and again

    Reply
    • Taesha

      October 15, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      I am so glad you enjoyed these! And finding a veggie-loaded recipe that is kid-approved always feels like such a success!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Taesha! I help busy people fall in love with healthy eating with my simple, family-friendly, veggie-loaded recipes. I believe that real food should taste amazing AND be easy to make!

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