Have you ever heard of chicken croquettes? If not you’re missing out on one of the most delicious ways to transform leftover chicken into something magical! As someone who loves finding creative ways to use leftovers I’ve become slightly obsessed with these golden nuggets of goodness.
Chicken croquettes are basically little crispy bombs of flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance. They’re perfect for dinner, as appetizers or even as part of your holiday spread. Today, I’m gonna dive deep into what makes these treats so special and share some amazing recipes you can try at home.
The History and Origin of Chicken Croquettes
Chicken croquettes have a pretty interesting backstory. The name “croquette” comes from the French verb croquer, which means “to crunch” – and that perfectly describes their deliciously crispy exterior!
According to food historians, croquette-type dishes likely evolved from Ancient Roman rissoles, which were minced, spiced meat bound with fillers, carefully shaped, and deep fried. While references to “Croquettes” appeared in print in the early 18th century, the earliest recipes found in English/American cookbooks date to the early 19th century.
The main difference between rissoles and croquettes? Rissoles are wrapped in pastry while croquettes are rolled in breadcrumbs. But they’re pretty similar in how they’re cooked, presented and served.
Interestingly, chicken croquettes were extremely popular in the 19th century and appeared throughout cookbooks from that era. They were even featured on holiday menus – an 1897 menu from Ladies Home Journal shows sweet potato croquettes had a spot on the Christmas dinner menu!
What Exactly Are Chicken Croquettes?
At their most basic, chicken croquettes are little nuggets of ground or finely chopped chicken mixed with a binding agent (typically a roux or white sauce), seasonings, and sometimes vegetables. They’re then coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crunchy on the outside while remaining creamy and tender on the inside.
What makes croquettes special compared to other fried foods is that they stay moist even after frying, thanks to the roux that binds the ingredients together. There’s seriously nothing quite like biting through that crispy exterior to reach the creamy, flavorful inside!
Key Ingredients for Classic Chicken Croquettes
Most chicken croquette recipes include these basic components:
- Cooked chicken: Finely minced or processed into small pieces
- Binding agent: Usually a roux (butter, flour, milk) or white sauce
- Aromatics: Onions, celery, green peppers, parsley
- Seasonings: Poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, cayenne, paprika, etc.
- Coating: Breadcrumbs (often Italian-style) for the exterior
- Egg wash: To help the breadcrumbs adhere
What’s awesome about croquettes is how flexible they are. While chicken was the preferred type in the 1800s, today you’ll find croquettes made with everything from mashed potatoes (the most common nowadays) to rice, cheese, fish, pasta and vegetables.
How to Make Traditional Chicken Croquettes
I’ve studied several authentic recipes, including one from Philadelphia black caterer Peter Augustine, who established his catering business in 1816. His recipe provides a glimpse into the traditional preparation method that made these croquettes so popular.
Here’s a basic process for making chicken croquettes:
- Create a roux or white sauce: This typically involves cooking butter, flour, and milk until thickened
- Mix in the chicken and seasonings: Finely chopped chicken, vegetables, and spices are folded into the sauce
- Chill the mixture: Refrigerating helps firm up the mixture so it can be shaped
- Form the croquettes: Shape into logs, cones, or patties
- Coat them: Roll in breadcrumbs, dip in beaten egg, then roll in breadcrumbs again
- Fry until golden: Deep-fry at around 350°F until crispy and golden brown
The most important thing when making chicken croquettes is to mince the chicken very fine (a food processor works great) or to use mashed vegetables if going that route. This ensures the filling has a smooth, cohesive texture.
Why Chicken Croquettes Are So Special
Unlike some fried foods that get stale almost immediately after cooking, croquettes maintain their quality thanks to that magical roux binding. This makes them:
- Perfect for using up leftover chicken
- Great for make-ahead meals (you can freeze them!)
- Versatile as appetizers or main dishes
- Adaptable to different flavor profiles
- Suitable for both casual dinners and fancy occasions
As Carleen Mullins from Wise, Virginia notes, “Here’s a different recipe to try with leftovers. It really has a good flavor. These chicken croquettes are fun to serve as an appetizer or for a meal.”
Modern Variations on Chicken Croquettes
While the traditional recipe is amazing, there are tons of ways to customize chicken croquettes to suit your taste:
- Cheesy croquettes: Add shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese to the mixture
- Vegetarian versions: Substitute chicken with smoked tofu or add more veggies like mushrooms or spinach
- Healthier options: Bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying
- Mini appetizers: Shape into bite-sized pieces for parties
- Crunchy variations: Use crushed crackers or nuts instead of breadcrumbs
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Croquettes
Chicken croquettes are super versatile when it comes to serving. Here are some ideas:
- Serve with a creamy sauce made from condensed soup and milk
- Pair with mashed potatoes and creamed corn for a comforting meal
- Offer with dipping sauces like sour cream, hot sauce, or honey mustard
- Present on a bed of mixed greens for a lighter option
- Include as part of a holiday spread or buffet
Tips for Perfect Chicken Croquettes Every Time
From my experience making these delightful treats, here are some tips to ensure success:
- Keep the oil temperature steady: Use a thermometer to maintain between 350-375°F
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry just a few at a time to maintain oil temperature
- Drain properly: Place on a wire rack or paper towels after frying
- Fix mixture that’s too wet: Add some instant potato flakes to absorb extra moisture
- For make-ahead: You can freeze the shaped, uncooked croquettes, then thaw in the refrigerator before coating and frying
Historical Significance of Chicken Croquettes
I found it fascinating to learn about Peter Augustine, a black caterer from Philadelphia who had a famous chicken croquette recipe. Augustine came from the West Indies, learned the catering trade from Robert Bogle, and established his business in Philadelphia in 1816.
Philadelphia was actually an unofficial center for black caterers in the 19th century. Despite extremely limited opportunities, Augustine and contemporaries like James Prosser, Henry Minton, and John Trower created successful catering empires. Augustine became very wealthy and created employment opportunities for the black community, training wait staff and providing catering equipment to his clients.
His chicken croquette recipe stands as a testament to the culinary contributions of Black Americans that have shaped our food culture.
Why You Should Try Making Chicken Croquettes
If you’ve never made chicken croquettes before, you’ll discover they’re a great way to reinvent a small amount of chicken and vegetables into an entirely new meal. They’re economical, delicious, and impressive enough to serve to guests.
As Emily Teel notes, “There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of biting into the creamy interior of a warm, freshly fried croquette, and making them is an easy way to stretch a small amount of cooked chicken into a completely new meal.”
Storage and Reheating Tips
One of the things I love about chicken croquettes is that they store and reheat pretty well:
- Refrigerate: Store cooled croquettes in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Freeze: Arrange cooled croquettes in a single layer, freeze until solid, then transfer to a resealable bag for up to 3 months
- Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes (or 20-30 minutes from frozen) to crisp them back up
Final Thoughts
Chicken croquettes are one of those classic dishes that deserve a comeback in modern kitchens. They’re the perfect blend of comfort food and sophisticated cooking, with a crispy exterior giving way to a creamy, flavorful filling. Whether you’re looking to use up leftover chicken or want to impress guests with something a bit different, chicken croquettes are worth adding to your cooking repertoire.
Have you ever tried making chicken croquettes? What’s your favorite way to prepare them? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
This article was inspired by recipes and information from Becky Diamond’s blog, AllRecipes.com, and Taste of Home. Special thanks to the culinary historians who keep these traditional recipes alive!
The BEST Chicken Croquette Recipe EVER
FAQ
What are chicken croquettes made of?
Chicken croquettes are made from finely chopped cooked chicken mixed with a thick, savory binder like a béchamel or cream sauce, along with seasonings and often finely chopped vegetables. This mixture is then formed into balls or cylinders, coated in egg and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy.
What are croquettes made of?
What is the meaning of chicken croquettes?
Croquettes are little nuggets of ground meat or vegetables bound with eggs or a sauce, coated in breadcrumbs and then fried until golden and crunchy on Becky Diamond, Author.
What do you serve with chicken croquettes?
Sauces: Serve these with a dipping sauce, such as this Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce, or Homemade BBQ Sauce. Salads: Serve these Chicken Croquettes alongside a Tomato Garlic Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Eggplant Salad, or Antipasto Salad.