These fantastic chicken croquettes are crispy, breaded, deep-fried balls of chicken, onion, celery, and bell peppers in a smooth white cream sauce. They are crispy on the outside yet juicy and luscious on the inside.
These tasty croquettes are delicious with glazed carrots, creamed peas with pearl onions, and roasted asparagus. But there are at least two dozen more equally delicious sides to serve with them.
These crispy chicken croquettes are a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for any occasion. Learn how to make them in the comfort of your kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe. You will be pleasantly surprised at how easy this recipe is and how delicious they turn out.
Key Ingredients Needed
See the complete list and quantities of ingredients below
- Chicken: cooked and finely diced. I like to use rotisserie chicken for this, but any cooked chicken will work.
- Vegetables: onion, red bell pepper, celery
- Seasonings: fresh parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper
- Breadcrumbs: I like to use Panko breadcrumbs, but you could use regular breadcrumbs or homemade.
How to make Chicken Croquettes
This is the nutshell version. Please see below for full recipe directions.
First, make the white sauce, which is very similar to a béchamel sauce, only thicker, and let it cool. Then, in a medium bowl, mix the ingredients for the croquettes, including the cooled white sauce. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for a bit.
Prepare your breading stations. Shape the mixture into balls and bread them.
Fry the balls in hot oil and move to paper towels to drain.
Preparation Tips
- The sauce will be pretty thick. That is a good thing, so the balls are easier to roll.
- Use a candy thermometer to help maintain the correct oil temperature. A heavy pot like a Dutch oven or stockpot will also help maintain the temperature.
- Using a spider strainer or slotted spoon, remove the fried balls from the oil and transfer them to paper towels to drain any excess grease and keep them crispy.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Scalloped potatoes
- Buttered Egg Noodles
- Southern green beans
- French Fries
- Creamy coleslaw
- Garden salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees. Then, spritz the balls with cooking oil. Add the croquettes in a single layer, cooking for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Gently shake the basket a couple of times while cooking.
You can prepare the mixture a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to dunk, roll, and fry.
Chicken Croquettes
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 cup warm milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
- 3 tablespoon finely chopped onion
- 3 tablespoon finely chopped red pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Whisk in the flour cooking for 2 minutes while whisking continuously. Slowly whisk in the milk. Cook for 2 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- In a medium bowl combine the chicken, onion, red pepper, celery, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and the cooled white sauce. Stir to combine, cover with wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl and add the breadcrumbs to another shallow bowl. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop the chicken mixture out and roll into a ball. Dunk it in the eggs and then in breadcrumbs. Once again back in the eggs and into the breadcrumbs. Repeat until all the chicken mixture is rolled and breaded. Place each ball on a parchment covered baking sheet while you work.
- Heat 2 inches vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot to 325-350 degrees. Work in batches of 4-5 balls. Fry until golden brown; about 4-5 minutes, Drain on paper towels and for best results serve promptly.
Notes
- Chop everything very fine so the balls are easy to roll and fry. You want a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Use a candy thermometer to help maintain the correct oil temperature. A heavy pot like a Dutch oven or stockpot will also help maintain the temperature well.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 3-5 minutes or on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes.
Nutrition
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Rachna
These chicken croquettes were so delicious. So juicy and moist inside. Yum!
Suja md
Absolutely delicious dish; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome! So glad that you enjoyed it!!
Manali Oza
Ohh! How I missed your chicken recipes. I love all your recipes. Thanks for sharing this one
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Emman Damian
I love Chicken Croquettes especially with lots of cheese! It’s to die for! Yummy!
Fransic verso
This looks yummy and love how easily we can make them. I will add these to the list. So I don’t forget about it.
Elizabeth O
Ive always wanted to make chicken croquettes. Thanks for sharing this. I hope I can make it successfully
Freya
This was delicious! I used vegan chicken pieces chopped instead and they were full of flavour!
Katherine
These croquettes are going onto the week’s meal plan. My kids are going to love them!
Toni
This is one of the best croquettes I’ve tried!! So good and easy to make!
Tayler
I’ve had salmon croquettes, but when I tried these chicken croquettes I was blown away! So delicious!
Kate
These look stunning – perfect party food served with a creamy dip, yum!
Ieva
What a good recipe! Made these today for lunch and my husband inhaled them! First time making croquettes too!
Cathy
I’ve never made croquettes before, but these are calling my name!!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes
I can’t wait to try these!! They look and sound incredibly delicious!!
katerina @ diethood.com
My kids would love these!! They are so delicious!!!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
These Chicken Croquettes are on my must-make list!