Healthy Chicken Croquettes Recipe with Zucchini and Onions

Chicken croquettes are pan-fried chicken patties bursting with flavor from fresh vegetables and aromatic seasonings. This healthier version combines ground chicken with shredded zucchini and diced onions, creating moist, flavorful patties that are sautéed rather than deep-fried. The result is a nutritious, low-fat meal that’s more exciting than plain chicken breast and easier to make than you might think.

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What Are Chicken Croquettes?

Don’t let the fancy name intimidate you. Chicken croquettes are seasoned chicken patties that are no more complicated than hamburgers but infinitely more flavorful and nutritious. The addition of vegetables not only boosts nutrition but also keeps the lean ground chicken moist and tender.

Why This Is the Best Recipe For Chicken Croquettes 

The secret to these exceptional chicken croquettes lies in the vegetable preparation technique. We remove excess moisture while concentrating their flavors by salting and draining the zucchini and onions. This prevents soggy patties while ensuring the ground chicken stays incredibly moist throughout cooking. Using fresh ground chicken instead of pre-cooked meat creates better texture, while pan-frying instead of deep-frying dramatically reduces fat content.

Recipe Ingredients

For the Croquettes:

• Ground chicken – Provides lean protein base that stays moist when combined with vegetables
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Alternative option for grinding fresh at home for optimal texture
• White onion – Adds sweetness and depth of flavor when finely diced and properly drained
• Zucchini – Contributes moisture, mild flavor, and additional nutrition without overpowering the chicken
• Seasoned breadcrumbs – Acts as binder while adding flavor and helping achieve golden exterior
• Large egg – Essential binding agent that holds all ingredients together during cooking
• Salt – Enhances all flavors and helps draw moisture from vegetables
• Ground black pepper – Adds subtle heat and complements the other seasonings

For Cooking:

• Cooking oil – Olive oil or vegetable oil for pan-frying to golden perfection

Ingredient Notes

If possible, have the butcher at your local supermarket grind the chicken fresh. A coarse grind is ideal for this recipe to add some additional texture.

You can use any bread crumbs you prefer, but large panko bread crumbs work well. Flavored crumbs add a little more flavor. 

How to Make Chicken Croquettes

These are the simple steps to make these fried chicken patties:

1. If using chicken breasts, grind them with a meat grinder.
2. Wash the zucchini well and shred it using the medium-sized holes on a box grater. Stop shredding once you expose the seeds.
3. Finely dice the white onion.
4. Put the shredded zucchini and the diced onions in a clean tea-towel-lined strainer in the sink. Lightly salt the vegetables and let them sit for about 5 minutes.
5. Use the tea towel to squeeze as much moisture from the onions and zucchini as possible and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
6. Add the ground chicken, beaten egg, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

7. Use a wooden spatula to combine the ingredients. Don’t overmix, but make sure to distribute all the ingredients evenly.
8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put the bowl in the fridge to allow the mixture to set.
9. Rub your hands with a bit of oil to prevent the mixture from sticking, and make six or eight patties. 

10. Heat a heavy-bottom skillet on medium heat on your burner. Add a thin layer of oil.
11. Cook the patties in batches for about four minutes per side. There must be an inch between each patty, or they will steam and not sauté. Check to ensure each croquette’s internal temperature is 165°F before removing it from the pan. The patties should be golden brown on the outside when you remove them from the pan.

Recipe Variations

Feel free to change the vegetables in the recipe. Just make sure you don’t use anything with a lot of water. Root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips are ideal. 

How to Serve Chicken Croquettes

Serve the fried chicken patties with a dollop of sour cream and a sprig of fresh dill or chopped fresh parsley.

What to Serve Chicken Croquettes With? 

Pair Chicken Croquettes with any side you typically serve with pan-seared chicken. Old-fashioned mashed potatoes or Lyonnaise Potatoes with Steamed Green Beans are classic combinations.

Or, for something a little lighter, you may want to roast vegetables or Brussels sprouts.

Good chicken gravy is an excellent addition to this recipe. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe, try this Easy Homemade Chicken Gravy.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage: Cooked croquettes can be stored in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Due to the perishable nature of ground chicken, the raw mixture should be cooked within 24 hours.
• Reheating Method: Reheat in a 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes covered with foil, or use an air fryer at 360°F for 6 minutes with light oil spray. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the coating soggy.
• Freezing: Freeze uncooked patties on a lined baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months. Cooked croquettes can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Eat With Chicken Patties

Here are a few more great side dishes to make and eat with these chicken patties:

• Air Fryer Carrots
• Beet Salad
• Red Roasted Potatoes

Favorite Chicken Dinner Recipes

• Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken
• Chicken and Dressing Casserole
• Chicken Divan
• Chicken Romano
• Cream Cheese Chicken
• KFC Crispy Chicken
• Lemon Chicken
• Ritz Chicken
• Stuffed Chicken Marsala
• Taco Bell Chicken Bowl

Check out my easy chicken recipes for dinner and favorite family recipes here on CopyKat!