Leftover Chicken Croquettes Recipe

Chicken: Shredded leftover chicken adds a savory and protein-rich base to the croquettes.

Mashed potatoes: These provide a creamy texture and help bind the croquettes together.

Breadcrumbs: Used to give the croquettes a crispy exterior when fried.

Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the ingredients together.

Onion: Adds a bit of crunch and a mild, sweet flavor.

Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the croquettes.

Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor.

Oil: Used for frying the croquettes to a golden brown.

When forming the patties, make sure to press them firmly to ensure they hold their shape during frying. If the mixture feels too loose, you can add a bit more breadcrumbs to help bind it together. Additionally, for an extra crispy exterior, you can coat the patties in a light layer of breadcrumbs before frying.

• leftover chicken - Substitute with leftover turkey: Both have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them interchangeable in this recipe.

• mashed potatoes - Substitute with sweet potato mash: Sweet potatoes add a slightly different flavor but maintain the same creamy texture.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with crushed crackers: Crushed crackers provide a similar crunchy coating and can be seasoned to taste.

• beaten egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water to create a binding agent similar to an egg.

• chopped onion - Substitute with chopped shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• chopped parsley - Substitute with chopped cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh and slightly citrusy flavor, adding a different but complementary taste.

• salt and pepper - Substitute with seasoned salt and white pepper: Seasoned salt adds more depth of flavor, and white pepper offers a milder heat.

• oil for frying - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and adds a rich, buttery flavor to the croquettes.

• Allow the chicken croquettes to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Place the cooled croquettes in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.
• To freeze, arrange the croquettes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
• Once frozen, transfer the croquettes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• When ready to enjoy, reheat refrigerated croquettes in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
• For frozen croquettes, bake directly from the freezer at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
• Avoid microwaving as it can make the croquettes lose their crispy texture.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken croquettes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Lightly brush the croquettes with a bit of olive oil to keep them moist.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy on the outside.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of oil or butter to the pan.
  3. Place the chicken croquettes in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and have a nice golden crust.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken croquettes on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Lightly spray the chicken croquettes with cooking spray.
  3. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  4. Air fry for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the shredded chicken, mashed potatoes, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, chopped onion, and chopped parsley.

• Frying pan: Heat the oil in this to fry the patties until they are golden brown on both sides.

• Spatula: This will help you flip the patties in the frying pan to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

• Measuring cups: Use these to measure out the ingredients like mashed potatoes, breadcrumbs, and chopped onion.

• Measuring spoons: These are useful for measuring smaller quantities of ingredients, such as salt and pepper.

• Knife: Use this to chop the onion and parsley finely.

• Cutting board: This provides a safe surface for chopping the onion and parsley.

• Mixing spoon: Use this to mix the ingredients together in the mixing bowl.

• Plate: Place the formed patties on this before frying them.

• Paper towels: Use these to drain the excess oil from the fried patties.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion and parsley ahead of time and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-made mashed potatoes: If you have leftover mashed potatoes from another meal, use them instead of making fresh ones.

Shred chicken quickly: Use a food processor to shred the leftover chicken in seconds.

Form patties uniformly: Use an ice cream scoop to ensure each patty is the same size, which helps them cook evenly.

Heat oil properly: Make sure the oil is hot before adding the patties to reduce cooking time.