Name: Mediterranean Chicken Patties
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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

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Delicious, moist and juicy Mediterranean chicken patties have everything you want in one bite: protein, veggies, herbs, and more! They are stuffed with spinach, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic, and delicious seasonings for that classic Mediterranean flavor. Serve it as a quick and easy light meal on it's own with a side of Tzatziki, or make it a complete meal served with rice and vegetables. Either way, it's going to be a crowd favorite.

Delicious, moist and juicy Mediterranean chicken patties have everything you want in one bite: protein, veggies, herbs, and they're quick and easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

Why You’ll Love Mediterranean Chicken Patties

It has the perfect texture. When you make a patty, you need something that’s not too firm but not too soft. With breadcrumbs and yogurt as binding agents, well-formed ground chicken, and softened sautéed veggies, these Mediterranean chicken patties deliver the most satisfying bite every single time. The best part? It takes just 10 minutes to prep.
Well-seasoned for amazing flavor. Chicken is a great protein, but it’s infamous for being a bit bland on its own. With these Mediterranean chicken patties, flavor is not a problem. A wonderful blend of bold spices like cumin and paprika, combined with lemon, spinach, onion, and more bring satisfaction to your taste buds.
It’s a light and healthy meal. Serving up deep-fried chicken fingers might not be the healthiest meal for your family—but these Mediterranean chicken patties are a healthy choice every time. Packed with clean protein and nutrient-rich vegetables, this kid-friendly chicken dinner is one that your family can feel good about.

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make these easy Mediterranean chicken patties, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):

ground chicken
olive oil
onion
garlic
baby spinach
breadcrumbs - I used regular breadcrumbs, but feel free to use panko breadcrumbs for a slightly crunchier texture.
Greek yogurt - Greek yogurt keeps these chicken patties super moist and tender. I recommend using Greek yogurt for the best results. You can also substitute with regular yogurt.
lemon juice
herbs - fresh dill and dried oregano. Feel free to substitute dried oregano with Italian seasoning.
seasonings - paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and a cast-iron skillet or grill pan.

How to Make the Best Mediterranean Chicken Patties

Sauté aromatics. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until sizzling hot. Sauté onions and garlic until tender and nicely browned, about 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and sauté for 1 minute until soft. Set aside on a plate to cool for 5 minutes.
Make chicken mixture. In a large mixing bowl, add ground chicken, sautéed onion-spinach mixture, breadcrumbs, Greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well with a spatula to combine everything together (or use your hands to press the ingredients together to evenly combine).
Marinate. Shape the ground chicken mixture into a firm ball. This helps the mixture bind together to yield firm patties. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Shape the patties. Take ½ cup chicken mixture at a time and shape into patties using your hands. You should get about 12 chicken patties.
Cook the patties. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until sizzling hot. Place patties on the skillet (about 6 pieces per batch) and cook for 3-5 minutes until nicely seared and starting to brown up the sides. Flip the patties over and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the internal temperature for the patties reaches 165 F as read on a meat thermometer.

Air Fryer Instructions

Place chicken patties (4 patties in each batch) in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with oil to coat evenly. Cook at 375 F for 13-15 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature for the chicken reaches 165F. Flip the patties halfway during cooking to brown evenly.

How to Serve

Serve these Mediterranean chicken patties on their own with a side of Tzatziki Sauce, or serve them with a side of Rice Pilaf and veggies. Some of my favourite vegetable sides to serve with them are:

You can also serve them in Homemade Hamburger Buns with a side of French Fries.

Storing and Freezing

How to store leftovers: Mediterranean chicken patties will keep for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow them to cool to room temperature before storing.
How to freeze: You can prep these chicken patties ahead of time by following the recipe up until the cooking instructions. Instead of placing them on the pan, wrap each patty individually in plastic wrap (this prevents freezer burn) before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. The raw patties will be good for up to two months.
How to thaw: The day before you want to cook your Mediterranean chicken patties, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, cook according to recipe instructions.

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