Description
These Cheesy Chicken Mince Fritters with Broccoli are a wholesome and delicious baked snack or meal option, combining ground chicken, finely chopped broccoli, and mozzarella cheese for a flavorful, protein-rich dish. Lightly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, these fritters are perfect for serving with a tangy homemade yoghurt ranch sauce.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Fritters:
- 500 g / 1 lb chicken mince (ground chicken), or turkey or pork
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 packed cups broccoli, soft cooked & finely chopped (about 1 medium head)
- 3/4 cup finely chopped shallots
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 tsp salt (reduce to 1/2 tsp if using flavoured cheese)
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking:
- Oil spray
Yoghurt Ranch Sauce (optional):
- 2/3 cup plain yoghurt
- 1/8 tsp dried dill
- 1/8 tsp dried parsley
- 1/8 tsp dried chives
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 garlic clove, minced
- 1 - 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 200°C (390°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper or spray it lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix the fritter ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chicken mince, minced garlic, egg, panko breadcrumbs, finely chopped cooked broccoli, shallots, shredded mozzarella, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the fritters: Using about ¼ cup of the mixture for each, pat the mixture into rounds approximately 6 cm (2.25 inches) wide and 1 cm (2/5 inch) thick. Place them spaced out on the prepared baking tray. Remember, they will shrink slightly and thicken during baking.
- Prepare for baking: Generously spray the tops of the fritters with oil to help them brown and crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Bake the fritters: Place the tray in the oven and bake the fritters for 15 minutes. Then, carefully flip each fritter over, spray the new top side again with oil, and return to the oven for an additional 8 to 10 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Prepare the yoghurt ranch sauce (optional): While baking, combine plain yoghurt, dried dill, dried parsley, dried chives, onion powder, minced garlic, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir well, season with salt and pepper to taste, and let it rest for at least 20 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the cheesy chicken broccoli fritters immediately with the prepared yoghurt ranch sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- 1. When selecting chicken mince, choose fresh, firm packages without excess water to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- 2. Use about one medium head of broccoli florets, cooked until soft by your preferred method like boiling or steaming, then finely chopped for the fritters. You can also include peeled and finely chopped stems.
- 3. Mozzarella cheese is recommended due to its mild saltiness and great melting/stretching properties; if using stronger flavoured cheeses such as cheddar or Colby, reduce added salt slightly.
- 4. Feel free to add more vegetables to the recipe—about 1.5 cups extra. Suggestions include grated carrot or onion, grated and drained zucchini, corn, peas, finely sliced cabbage or spinach, and finely chopped cooked green beans or asparagus.
- 5. Nutrition values are calculated per serving assuming 4 servings total and excluding the optional dipping sauce. The recipe yields approximately 15 fritters.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 3-4 fritters
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
