Mediterranean Chicken Patties Recipe
These Mediterranean Chicken Patties are a flavorful and healthy dish combining ground chicken with fresh spinach, garlic, herbs, and spices. Perfectly pan-seared to golden-brown perfection, they make a delicious main course served with a side of rice pilaf or in hamburger buns for a tasty Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 patties 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from half lemon)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until sizzling hot. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until tender and nicely browned, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the chopped baby spinach and cook for about 1 minute until wilted and soft. Transfer this mixture to a plate and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, cooled onion-spinach mixture, breadcrumbs, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, lemon juice, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly with a spatula or your hands to evenly mix all the ingredients together.
- Shape and Chill: Form the chicken mixture into a firm ball to help bind the ingredients well. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for best results.
- Form Patties: Using about 1/2 cup of the mixture per patty, shape gently into round patties. This recipe yields approximately 12 patties.
- Cook Patties: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot, about 2 minutes. Place about 6 patties in the skillet at a time and cook for 3-5 minutes until nicely seared and browning on the sides. Flip each patty and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
- Serve: Serve the Mediterranean Chicken Patties warm alongside rice pilaf and sautéed vegetables or inside hamburger buns for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overmix the chicken mixture to avoid dense patties.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free crumbs if desired for a gluten-free version.
- Chilling the mixture helps in binding and improves the texture of the patties.
- Ensure patties are cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- These patties can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day before cooking.
- Variations include adding chopped feta cheese or sun-dried tomatoes for extra Mediterranean flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken patties, ground chicken recipe, healthy chicken patties, pan-fried chicken, Greek chicken patties