Chicken Patties

These succulent Chicken Patties, made with ground leftover chicken, breadcrumbs, a touch of yogurt, and a hint of dill, are a fantastic way to transform your leftovers into a scrumptious meal. Serve with side dishes or as chicken burgers. Ready in 20 minutes with leftover and pantry ingredients.

Looking for an easy, budget-friendly weeknight dinner? Try these super simple chicken patties!

My whole family loves this recipe, so I know that not only do they use up leftover chicken, but there will be no leftovers of this dish! My kids devour them.

With its tender and juicy texture, leftover roasted chicken provides the perfect base for these delectable patties.

Ground in a food processor (or very finely chopped), the chicken is then combined with breadcrumbs for bulk, while a touch of yogurt adds a subtle tang and helps keep the patties moist and flavorful.

The paprika adds a warm and smoky note, enhancing the overall taste, while the fresh dill weed gives them a great flavor.

Whether you're repurposing leftover chicken from a previous meal or simply looking for a creative way to enjoy roasted chicken, this recipe is a fantastic solution that will transform your leftovers into a mouthwatering culinary delight.

Serve them as a main course protein or use them as chicken burgers.

We love using them as a main, served with a big green salad and some rich and creamy gruyere au gratin potatoes.

Love patties? Try these easy Salmon Patties.

Ingredients

• Leftover Chicken: Tender and flavorful, using leftover roasted chicken adds a rich and savory taste to the chicken patties, giving them a delicious base to build upon. You can also use leftover grilled or poached chicken. Just remove bones and skin.
• Breadcrumbs: These pantry staples provide structure and help bind the mixture together, creating a satisfying texture and ensuring they hold their shape during cooking.
• Egg: The beaten egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and adding moisture.
• Plain Yogurt: Adding plain yogurt to the mixture adds a creamy and tangy element, enhancing its flavor and contributing to its moistness.
• Onion: Finely chopped or pureed onion brings a mild, sweet, and aromatic note to the patties, providing a subtle layer of flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.
• Finely Chopped Dill Weed: Dill weed adds a fresh and herbaceous taste, infusing them with a delightful hint of brightness.
• Paprika: The addition of paprika brings a warm and slightly smoky flavor, elevating their taste profile and adding a touch of complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder lends its distinct flavor to the patties, providing a savory and aromatic punch that enhances the overall taste experience.
• Ground Cumin: The inclusion of ground cumin adds an earthy and slightly nutty flavor, complementing the other spices and adding depth to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings are essential for enhancing the overall taste, ensuring they are properly seasoned and balanced.
• Oil: Olive oil or canola oil is used for cooking the chicken patties.

See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.

Instructions

If you're wondering how to make this chicken patties recipe, don't worry, it's easy!

Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

• Add the leftover chicken to a food processor and pulse until ground. Alternatively, very finely chop it.
• Add the onion to the food processor and puree (or very finely chop).
• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pureed onion, breadcrumbs, egg, yogurt, dill, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Shape the mixture into patties, using approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture for each patty. Form them into uniform patties, ensuring they are of even thickness throughout for even cooking.

To air fry:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil. Place the chicken patties on parchment paper. Air Fry for 8 minutes, then flip each one over and air fry for a further 3-5 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

To pan fry:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken patties in the skillet, leaving some space between each patty. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken patties to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

1. As a main protein: Serve your chicken patties as a main course with a few side dishes. Try it with a scoop of Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Chick salad, Mango Corn Salsa, Spicy Air Fryer Potato Wedges, or Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes.
2. Classic Burger Style: Place a chicken patty on a bun, and add your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, and condiments.
3. Wrap it Up: Wrap a chicken patty in a flour tortilla with some crunchy veggies, a dollop of sauce (try Mexican Ranch Dip), and enjoy a tasty and portable meal on the go.
4. Appetizer Delight: Serve mini chicken patties as bite-sized appetizers, accompanied by a dipping sauce like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue.

Variations

1. Classic Chicken Patty: Mix shredded or finely chopped leftover chicken with breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, chopped onions, and your favorite herbs and spices. Form the mixture into patties and pan-fry until golden brown.
2. Spicy Kick: Add a touch of spice to your chicken patties by incorporating chili powder, paprika, sriracha, or cayenne pepper into the mixture. Adjust the spice level according to your preference.
3. Asian Fusion: Infuse your chicken patties with an Asian twist by including soy sauce, ginger, and scallions. Top them with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Storage and Freezing

Storage:

1. Once the chicken patties have been cooked, allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Place the cooled chicken patties in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.
3. Store the chicken patties in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing:

1. After cooking the chicken patties, allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
2. Individually wrap each chicken patty with plastic wrap or place them in separate freezer-safe containers.
3. Alternatively, you can place the patties in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for a couple of hours until partially frozen. Once partially frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container to save space.
4. Make sure to label the containers or bags with the date of freezing.
5. Chicken patties can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thawing and Reheating:

1. To thaw the frozen chicken patties, transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw overnight.
2. Once thawed, you can reheat the chicken patties using one of the following methods:
   • Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken patties on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
   • Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a little oil, and cook the chicken patties for 3-4 minutes per side until heated through.
   • Microwave: Place the chicken patties on a microwave-safe plate and microwave them on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

Note: It's important to ensure that the chicken patties are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming to ensure they are thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.

FAQ

Food Safety Tips

• Before cooking, be sure to wash your hands and countertops.
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that has touched raw meat.
• Always wash your hands after touching raw meat, fish, and poultry.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep those pot/pan handles turned in away from the front of the stove.
• When cooking at high temperatures, use oils with a high smoking point, to avoid harmful compounds.
• Put foods in the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking. Reduce this to within 1 hour if it is 90 degrees or hotter outside.

Cook to safe temperatures:

To ensure food is cooked through, it's best to use a food thermometer. Be aware that you can’t always tell by looking.

• Beef, Pork, Lamb: 145 °F
• Fish: 145 °F
• Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Ground Lamb: 160 °F
• Turkey, Chicken, Duck: 165 °F

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📖 Recipe

Chicken Patties

Kate | Wow Easy Recipes

These succulent Chicken Patties, made with ground leftover chicken, breadcrumbs, a touch of yogurt, and a hint of dill, are a fantastic way to transform your leftovers into a scrumptious meal. Serve with side dishes or as chicken burgers.

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 260 kcal

Equipment

• Food processor
• Mixing bowl
• Skillet
• Air Fryer

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups leftover roasted chicken (finely ground in a food processor)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
• ½ an onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill weed
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)

Instructions

 

• Add the leftover chicken to a food processor pulse until ground. Alternatively, very finely chop it.
• Add the onion to the food processor and puree (or very finely chop).
• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pureed onion, breadcrumbs, egg, yogurt, dill, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Shape the mixture into patties, using approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture for each patty. Form them into uniform patties, ensuring they are of even thickness throughout for even cooking.

To pan fry:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken patties in the skillet, leaving some space between each patty. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

To air fry:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil. Place the chicken patties on parchment paper. Air Fry for 8 minutes, then flip each one over and air fry for a further 3-5 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
• Once cooked, transfer the chicken patties to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
• Serve the chicken patties as desired. They can be enjoyed on their own as a main course, or you can use them in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.

Notes

The number of servings from the above recipe for chicken patties will depend on the size of the patties you form. With approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture per patty, you can estimate the number of servings as follows:

• If you make smaller patties using ¼ cup of the mixture, you can expect around 8 patties, which may serve 4-6 people, depending on appetites and accompanying dishes.
• If you make larger patties using ⅓ cup of the mixture, you will yield approximately 6 patties, serving 3-4 people.

Remember, you can easily scale up or down the recipe based on the number of people you want to serve. Adjust the ingredients accordingly, keeping the ratios of the ingredients consistent, to meet your desired serving size.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 21gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 466mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 354IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Keyword chicken patties, leftover chicken, leftover chicken patties

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