Description
A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring juicy chicken patties flavored with fresh herbs and spices, served with a crisp spinach salad and homemade creamy tzatziki sauce. This balanced meal is packed with flavor and perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For The Chicken Patties:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for binding)
- 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking
For The Salad:
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
For The Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, finely diced or grated and drained
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Tzatziki: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, finely diced cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, mix well, and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
- Make the Chicken Patties: In a large bowl, mix ground chicken with chopped red onion, garlic, parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and beaten egg. Add breadcrumbs if using. Stir gently until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep patties tender.
- Form Patties: Shape the chicken mixture into patties approximately 3 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch thick. Place formed patties on a plate carefully to maintain shape.
- Cook Patties: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 5-6 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked and golden brown with slight grill marks. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine fresh spinach, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced Kalamata olives, and diced red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
- Assemble and Serve: On each plate, arrange a bed of the fresh salad. Top with two chicken patties and add a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce on each patty. Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately while patties are warm alongside the fresh salad and creamy tzatziki for a delightful Mediterranean meal.
Notes
- For a firmer patty, use the optional breadcrumbs; omit for a gluten-free version.
- Make sure to drain the grated cucumber well for the tzatziki to avoid watery sauce.
- Adjust garlic quantities in tzatziki and patties to suit your taste preference.
- The patties can also be baked at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes as an alternative cooking method.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
- Serve with warm pita bread for a fuller meal experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean