Chicken croquettes are golden nuggets of super crunchy outside and a moist creamy filling of chicken inside. The juiciest, tastiest chicken! It is like a special surprise waiting for you with every bite. Shredded chicken is cooked with spices and then shaped into perfectly round balls. These balls are deep-fried into crispy, golden bites.
Chicken Croquette Recipe
These Chicken Croquettes are irresistible with a crispy exterior and well-spiced filling. Every bite of this croquette provides a delightful flavor explosion in your mouth. They're not just crunchy on the outside; they're soft and delicious on the inside!
You can eat them with your fingers! Dip them in your favorite sauce or ketchup. Chicken croquettes are not just ordinary appetizers; they are delicious crispy, golden delights that won't disappoint you. Happy eating!
This was inspired by my Tuna Croquettes, Lemon Pepper Chicken, and Chicken Pot Pie.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Chicken Croquette Recipe
Quick and Easy: These croquettes come together in no time with just a few simple steps.
Incredible Flavor: Seasoned shredded chicken mixed with spices makes a super flavorful filling.
Customizable: Mix in your favorite herbs, spices, cheese, or veggies to make them your own.
Versatile: Great as a snack, appetizer, or even a main course.
Family-Friendly: Perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends—everyone will love them.
Suitable for Any Occasion: Ideal for parties, holidays, brunch, lunch, dinner, or any get-together.
If you want more comfort food you should check out Spanish Omelette and Fried Chicken.
🧾Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Chicken Croquette:
Chicken Breast: I always go for fresh, good-quality chicken breasts. Poaching keeps them tender and juicy. You can swap chicken for turkey, fish, or tofu.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I love using extra virgin olive oil for its rich, fruity, buttery taste with a hint of pepper.
Onion and Garlic Cloves: Onion and garlic are essential for me. They add a rich flavor and soft texture to the croquettes.
Seasonings: Salt, oregano, paprika, black pepper, and parsley make the croquettes taste amazing.
Cream Cheese: This adds creaminess and a distinct flavor. Mascarpone works well as a substitute.
Cornstarch: A light cornstarch coating gives a delicate, subtle crispiness.
Eggs: Whisked eggs help the breadcrumbs stick, creating a golden crust when fried.
Breadcrumbs: Golden breadcrumbs give the croquettes a delightful crunch and crispiness. For a lighter and crisper texture, you can use panko or even crushed cornflakes or crackers.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Chicken Croquettes
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Put the chicken breast in a saucepan with boiling water. Cover and simmer for 10 to 14 minutes.
2. Take the cooked chicken breasts out and place them on a plate.
3. Shred the chicken and set it aside.
4. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
5. Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and stir occasionally for about 3 minutes until softened.
6. Add minced garlic to the pan, stir, and cook for 3 minutes until the onion turns translucent.
7. Add the shredded chicken to the pan, season with salt, oregano, paprika, and black pepper, and mix thoroughly.
8. Add cream cheese and mix thoroughly.
9. Add chopped parsley and mix thoroughly.
10. Take it off the heat and put it in a bowl.
11. Mix in the cream cheese until well combined.
12. Form the chicken mixture into 12-14 croquettes.
13. Lightly coat with cornstarch and set aside on a plate.
14. Dip each croquette in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs and set on a plate.
15. Fry the croquettes in hot oil, turning occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
16. Let cool for 2 minutes before serving.
17. Put on a plate and serve.
📖Variations
Cheesy Chicken Croquettes: Enhance the flavor with shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan cheese for a gooey, savory center.
Spicy Chicken Croquettes: Add diced jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for a flavorful kick with a hint of heat.
Buffalo Chicken Croquettes: Blend in buffalo sauce or a mix of hot sauce and butter for a zesty, tangy taste reminiscent of buffalo chicken wings.
Tex-Mex Chicken Croquettes: Infuse diced green chilies, cumin, and cilantro for a bold Tex-Mex flavor profile.
Spinach and Feta Chicken Croquettes: Create a Mediterranean twist with finely chopped spinach and crumbled feta cheese for a vibrant green color and rich taste.
🍽 What to serve with Chicken Croquettes
Chicken croquettes are so delicious and versatile! They go perfectly with salads like Caesar Salad, Cold Stuffed Tomato Salad, and Cowboy Caviar.
I love dipping them in sauces like Mojo Sauce, Chimichurri, or Hummus. They add such great flavor!
They're also fantastic with soups like Butternut Squash Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, French Onion Soup, or Lentil Soup for a comforting meal.
And my absolute favorite way to enjoy croquettes is with a refreshing pink lemonade, it's the perfect pairing!
💭Tips for Making Chicken Croquettes
Shape and Chill: Form the mixture into balls and chill on a tray in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps them keep their shape when frying.
Deep Fry: Keep the oil at the right temperature for a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Careful Frying: Submerge the croquettes carefully in the hot oil and fry until crispy. Don't overcrowd the pan to maintain the oil temperature.
Drain Excess Oil: After frying, place the croquettes on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and keep them light.
Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the croquettes ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to fry for convenience.
Storage: Once cooked, let the croquettes cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
Freezing: Freeze the croquettes until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They'll keep well frozen for 2-3 months.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Chicken croquettes are fried patties made from a mixture of cooked chicken, usually combined with a creamy sauce or béchamel, shaped, breaded, and served crispy on the outside with a tender, flavorful center.
Certainly! Utilizing previously cooked chicken is an excellent method to transform leftovers into delightful chicken croquettes. Just finely shred or mince the cooked chicken and blend it seamlessly into the mixture.
Indeed, Chicken Croquettes tend to be a favorite among children, thanks to their crunchy texture and savory taste. Feel free to tailor the recipe to cater specifically to the preferences of young ones.
Chicken Croquettes can be baked in the oven instead of frying. Simply brush them with oil and bake at a high temperature until they achieve a golden-brown color.
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite comfort food recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Chicken croquettes
Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken Breast
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ Onion
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 5 tbsp Cream Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Parsley
- 2 tablespoon Cream Cheese
- 30 g Cornstarch
- 2 Eggs
- 80 g Breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast in a saucepan with boiling water. Cover the saucepan and cook on low heat for around 10 to 14 minutes.
- Remove the cooked chicken breasts and place on a plate.
- Shred the chicken and set aside.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion to the frying pan and stir often for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic to the frying pan, stir, and cook for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the shredded chicken to the frying pan, season with salt, oregano, paprika and black pepper and mix well to combine.
- Add cream cheese and mix well to combine.
- Add chopped parsley and mix well to combine.
- Remove from the heat and place in a bowl.
- Add cream cheese and mix well to combine.
- Shape the chicken mixture into 12-14 croquettes.
- Dust in a little cornstarch and set aside on a plate.
- Dip each croquette in a beaten egg, then coat in breadcrumbs and set aside on a plate.
- Deep fry the croquettes in hot oil, turning occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Allow to cool for 2 minutes before serving.
- Place on a plate and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
Great recipe! The instructions were super clear, and the croquettes turned out perfectly golden and delicious. A new favorite for sure.