Chicken Patties

Name: Crispy Chicken Patties
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken breasts ((10 oz, from two 8-oz raw breasts), cubed); 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon mayonnaise ((optional but good and helps prevent drying)); 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/4 cup olive oil

Last updated: May 5, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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These tasty chicken patties are a great way to use up leftover chicken. Making them is as easy as can be!

Simply mix a few ingredients in your food processor, then fry the patties in olive oil. They're crispy and delicious, and the leftovers are great too.

Chicken patties served on a white plate with a napkin.

About once a week, I take out a large baking sheet and bake lots of chicken breasts. They're easy to make, affordable, and versatile. I can then use them throughout the week in many different recipes, and this is one of them.

Crispy and golden, these delicious chicken patties are a huge hit with kids. And I have yet to meet a grownup who doesn't like them!

They are perfect for using up leftover chicken breast, and you can also make them after Thanksgiving to use up leftover turkey breast.

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Ingredients
Variations
Chicken Patties Instructions
Expert Tip
Recipe FAQs
Serving Suggestions
Storing Leftovers
Related Recipes
Recipe Card

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make these tasty patties. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

Cooked chicken breasts: You can also use rotisserie chicken if you'd like. Just make sure to remove the skin.
Eggs: I use large eggs in most of my recipes, including this one.
Mayonnaise: Although optional and I don't always add it, it does enhance the fritters' flavor and texture and keeps them from becoming too dry. I like to use avocado oil mayonnaise.
Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use by half, or the patties could end up too salty.
Spices: I like to use garlic powder, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.
Olive oil for frying: This is such a delicious oil. It's my absolute favorite oil to eat and cook with. But if you'd like to use an oil with a higher smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.

The ingredients needed for making chicken patties.

Variations

Use different spices. Good options that I tried and liked include onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano.
Cook the patties in butter or ghee instead of olive oil.
Instead of mayonnaise, add sour cream or Dijon mustard to the mixture.
Rather than using cooked chicken breast, you can use shredded rotisserie chicken, as long as you remove the skin. Its texture won't work in this recipe.

Chicken Patties Instructions

This is such an easy recipe! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

You simply mix cooked chicken breast with eggs, mayonnaise, and spices. I use my food processor. (Photo 1).
Then drop spoonfuls of the mixture into hot olive oil. (Photo 2).
Fry them on both sides until golden and crispy. That's it! Dinner is served! (Photos 3-6).

A six-photo collage showing the steps for making chicken patties.

Expert Tip

Don't skimp on the oil! Not all of it will be absorbed into the patties, but when you add enough of it to the skillet, it helps the patties become browned and crispy.

Recipe FAQs

Can you bake chicken patties instead of frying them?

Yes. Scoop the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (use high-heat-resistant parchment), gently flatten and shape them, then generously spray them with olive oil.

Bake the patties for 10-15 minutes per side in a 400°F oven, spraying them again after flipping them.

However, I highly recommend frying them. They become wonderfully browned, crispy and flavorful when fried in olive oil.

Do I need to add flour to the mixture?

No. That's unnecessary. The patties hold up just fine without any added flour.

Can I use raw ground chicken?

Not in this recipe. It was written for leftover cooked chicken. If you'd like to use ground chicken, you can use this recipe for turkey burgers and use chicken instead of turkey.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these chicken patties as an entree with any side dish you like. They are very versatile. Or you could serve them in a sandwich made with 90-second bread or almond flour bread).

My teenage kids love dipping them in spicy mayonnaise, made with avocado oil mayonnaise and a few drops of chipotle hot pepper sauce. When they were younger, they liked to dip them in ketchup.

As for sides, I like to serve them with jicama fries or zucchini fries.

Storing Leftovers

The leftovers keep well for 3-4 days in the fridge, in an airtight container. Although when counting the four days, you should take into account the time the cooked chicken had already spent in the fridge.

I like to eat them cold, with Dijon mustard, fresh-cut veggies, and quick pickles. If you'd rather reheat them, I suggest you do so gently, covered, in the microwave at 50% power.