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I gotta tell you about my top pick for turning chicken leftovers into something spectacular! These chicken fritters are simply mind-blowing, mixing soft chicken with smooth cheese to create the most flavorful quick bite. What's great is they only take about 20 minutes to whip up, so they're just right for those hectic days when you want something substantial and yummy.
The Secret Wonder of These Fritters
The real charm of these fritters is how they save even the most parched leftover chicken. It all comes down to the cream cheese that makes everything stay nice and juicy while the mozzarella brings that melt-in-your-mouth cheesiness. They're also super flexible so you can tweak them to match whatever food needs you've got.
Your Fritter Must-Haves
- Shredded Chicken: A leftover rotisserie chicken breast is ideal, but you can use any cooked chicken you have.
- Egg: Works to keep all the fritter ingredients stuck together.
- Cream Cheese: Stops dryness and kicks up the taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Gives that gooey, stretchy texture.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour helps maintain the fritter structure.
- Salt: You can skip this if you're making them for little ones.
- Oil or Butter: For cooking the fritters until they're beautifully golden.
Creating Your Tasty Treats
- Step 1 - Break Down the Chicken
- Put your leftover chicken in a bowl and cut it into tiny bits with some kitchen scissors or a knife. Try to get about 1.5 cups of chicken chopped up small.
- Step 2 - Combine Everything
- Throw in your chopped chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, egg, flour, and salt (if you want) into a bowl. Stir it all together thoroughly.
- Step 3 - Warm the Pan
- Put 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a frying pan and set it on medium-low heat.
- Step 4 - Shape and Fry the Fritters
- Drop big spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan. Press them down gently with a spoon or spatula to make fritter shapes. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they're crispy and golden.
- Step 5 - Cool and Enjoy
- Move the cooked fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to drain a bit. Serve them warm with a dip you love.
Store Your Tasty Fritters
These little gems will stay fresh in your fridge for a few days if you keep them in a sealed container. I always make extra to stick in the freezer. Just don't forget to put some parchment paper between them so they won't stick. When you're hungry for them again, a quick hit in the microwave gets them piping hot.
Clever Cooking Tips
Using kitchen scissors makes chicken chopping way faster than a knife. Keep an eye on those fritters while they're cooking so they turn out perfect and golden. I like to switch up the flavors by adding different spices. My go-to combo is paprika with some garlic powder.
Answers to Your Questions
People ask me if they can use dark meat chicken and yes, it works sometimes even better! You can swap in turkey or try making them veggie-style too. The fritters turn out crunchy on the outside but soft inside, making them great for anyone from small kids to grown-ups. We pair them with all kinds of dips but usually reach for ranch or ketchup first.
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Common Questions
- → Which type of extra chicken works best for these patties?
Any cooked chicken does the job - from Sunday's roast to store-bought rotisserie. Just chop it well and watch out for dryness. When using breast meat, you might want to add a bit more cream cheese to keep things moist.
- → Can I make these patties beforehand?
You can mix everything up a day early and keep it covered in the fridge. But for that nice crunch, it's best to cook them right before eating. If you've already cooked some, warm them up in a low oven until they're heated through.
- → What goes well with these patties?
These patties taste great with dips like ranch, honey mustard, or pasta sauce. Add a simple salad or slaw to make it a meal. They're also fantastic as finger food or stuffed into mini buns.
- → How do I stop my patties from falling apart while cooking?
Get your pan nice and hot before dropping in the patties, and don't rush to flip them until they're golden underneath. The egg and flour work together as glue, and the melted cheese helps everything stick together too.
- → What spices can I throw into these patties?
Try some garlic powder, onion powder, Italian mix, or cajun spices for extra kick. Fresh herbs like parsley or chives work wonders too. Just remember your chicken might already have some seasoning from when you first cooked it.
Final Thoughts
These no-fuss patties mix your extra chicken with cream cheese and melty mozzarella for a fast, crunchy snack. They're the perfect way to use up chicken sitting in your fridge.