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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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.
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!
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!
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
Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites
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
Nutrition
Made these for dinner tonight and I don’t know who loved them more…my partner or my toddler!
Yes!!! That is always a win!
This was a hit with the kids and adults! I will definitely be batch cooking these for the freezer. Thank you as always!
Yay! I’m so glad they were a hit and I love the idea of batch cooking them!
Just made a double batch for our lunches for the week! Was wondering what kind of dipping sauce you serve with them?
I like them with ranch or a sugar-free ketchup! I bet a honey mustard dip would go really well with these as well!
10out of 10!
Yay! I’m so glad you loved them!
Have you tried these in the oven instead of frying? (I’m less concerned over cook time, more looking to reduce my cook efforts)
Yes! I actually included how to in the suggested adaptations part of the post
I see it now! Thanks! New to your site – tried your pumpkin soufflé this week and it is excellent!
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.
Yes, but I would cook them first and then freeze.
that’s that I was thinking. Thanks!
Do you think these would work with tofu? They look so tasty!
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!
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.
I am so glad to hear they were a hit, Carla!
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!
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.