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Crispy chicken fritters stacked on a white plate with melted cheese and green onions

Crispy Leftover Chicken Fritters

Crispy chicken fritters made with leftover chicken, eggs, cheese, and whatever’s already in the fridge. Quick, messy, and always a hit.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
3 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken chopped or pulled apart
  • 2 large largeeggs
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour can swap if needed
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese mozzarella or cheddar
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise or yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 cloves garlic minced very small
  • 2 tbsp parsley or green onions chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper adjust to taste
  • 3 tbsp olive oil for frying, add more if needed

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing bowl For mixing everything together
  • 1 Frying pan or skillet Nonstick works best, medium heat
  • 1 Spatula For flipping the fritters
  • 1 Spoon For scooping the mixture into the pan
  • 1 Paper towels For draining excess oil

Method
 

  1. Add the cooked chicken to a large bowl.
  2. Crack in the eggs. Add the flour, cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix everything until it comes together like a chunky batter.
  4. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  5. Scoop the mixture into the pan and flatten slightly.
  6. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
  7. Transfer to paper towels and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • This recipe is very forgiving. If the mixture feels too loose, add a little more flour. If it feels too dry, add a spoon of mayo or another egg. Trust the texture more than the measurements.
  • Any cooked chicken works here. Rotisserie, leftovers, even slightly dry chicken. Once it’s mixed and fried, no one will notice.
  • Keep the heat at medium. Too hot and they burn before the inside sets. Too low and they soak up oil and fall apart.
  • Let the fritters rest for a couple of minutes after cooking. They firm up and get a little crispier.
  • These reheat best in a pan or oven. The microwave works, but they lose some of that crispy edge.