Enjoy these soft and juicy homemade chicken patties with this straightforward recipe. Whether you use ground or leftover chicken, basic seasonings, and fresh produce, they're perfect for any meal or as a snack. Ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or a quick lunchbox treat for kids, these patties are sure to be a hit!
In a bowl, start by adding eggs, all-purpose flour, mayonnaise, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and lemon zest.
Mix everything well using a whisk. Whisking helps the seasonings distribute evenly, which enhances the flavor of the final dish.
Now add the ground chicken, scallions, parsley leaves, and chopped onions to the bowl. Mix everything well with a spatula, then cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the ingredients to bind together and the flavors to meld, making it easier to form the patties.
Shaping Chicken Patties
After the resting period, begin shaping the chicken mixture. If using your hands, lightly grease your palms with oil, scoop up your desired portion of the chicken mixture, and place it in your palm. Gently pat it with your other hand to form it into a patty, as shown in the picture. If you prefer not to use your hands, you can also use parchment paper or oil-greased banana leaves to help shape the patties.
Another method to shape the patties is by using a cookie dough or ice cream scooper to portion out the chicken mixture. This technique helps you achieve evenly sized patties. Once scooped, gently pat the mixture into patty shapes with the back of a spoon or spatula after placing it in the pan. To prevent the spoon from sticking, lightly grease its back with oil.
Frying Chicken Patties
In a pan over medium heat, add enough oil for pan-frying and let it preheat. Once hot, add the patties to the pan, making sure not to overcrowd them. Overcrowding can cause the patties to steam instead of frying, which might affect their texture.
Fry the chicken patties for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the size of the patties, so it’s important to monitor them closely. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the patties and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain off any excess oil. Your delicious chicken patties are now ready to be enjoyed!
Serving
Enjoy these chicken patties on their own, with bread or buns, or paired with your favorite sides and dips. For more pairing ideas, be sure to check out the serving suggestions section below.
Notes
Here are some essential tips to make perfect chicken patties every time:
Choose the Right Chicken: Although ground chicken is typically used for making patties, feel free to use leftovers from grilled or rotisserie chicken. Just make sure to finely grind or shred them to achieve a uniform texture.
Season Generously: Adding a mix of spices, herbs, and aromatics makes the patties extra flavorful. Don’t shy away from seasoning the mixture to bring out fresh, vibrant flavors. You can also customize the seasonings to suit your preferences.
For Even Patties: Using a cookie dough or ice cream scooper provides evenly sized patties, which helps with even cooking. If you prefer using your hands, feel free to portion out the desired quantity to make patties. You can also grease your palms or use parchment paper or banana leaves to shape the patties.
Size of the Patties: I used a cookie scooper to make these patties, which resulted in smaller portions. If you prefer larger patties, simply adjust the portion size to suit your needs. Larger patties work great for burgers or when you want a more substantial meal.
For Crispier Exterior: Although I haven’t used breadcrumbs in this recipe, if you're making patties from leftover chicken, dipping them in panko breadcrumbs before frying will give a crispy exterior. I suggest using breadcrumbs only with leftover chicken since it’s already cooked, and the patties need less frying time. For ground chicken, it’s best to skip the breadcrumbs to avoid the outside burning before the inside is fully cooked.
Use a Meat Thermometer: To confirm that the chicken patties are cooked safely and perfectly, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to meet FDA cooking recommendations.
Add a Binding Agent: If you find the mixture too wet or difficult to shape, you can add a little more flour or breadcrumbs to help bind the ingredients. This can be especially helpful if you're including additional wet ingredients like grated vegetables.
Prep Ahead: You can prepare these patties in advance and freeze them. Lay them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be cooked directly from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.