Golden outside. Tender inside. Ridiculously easy.
These chicken fritters are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even appetizers. Using canned chicken keeps them quick and budget-friendly — but they taste like you worked way harder than you did.
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 (12.5 oz) cans white premium chunk chicken breast
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ cup plain dried breadcrumbs
- 1 cup additional breadcrumbs (for coating)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Drain the Chicken
Drain extremely well.
Press in a colander with a heavy bowl or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
💡 This step is key for crispy fritters.
2️⃣ Chop
Roughly chop chicken into uniform ¼-inch pieces.
This helps the patties hold together and cook evenly.
3️⃣ Mix
In a bowl combine:
- Chicken
- Egg
- Dijon
- Salt & spices
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Mix with a fork until fully combined.
4️⃣ Shape
Place additional breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.
Form mixture into 6 small “hockey puck” patties.
Press firmly so they’re compact.
Coat each fritter in breadcrumbs.
5️⃣ Fry
Heat about ¼ inch oil in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
Cook fritters 3–4 minutes per side, until:
- Deep golden brown
- Crispy exterior
- Heated through
Transfer to paper towels to drain.
✨ Optional Dipping Ideas
- Lemon aioli
- Ranch dressing
- Spicy mayo
- Honey mustard
- Greek yogurt + lemon + garlic
🔥 Air Fryer Option
Spray lightly with oil.
Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
📝 Tips for Extra Crispiness
- Don’t overcrowd the pan
- Make sure oil is hot before adding fritters
- Press breadcrumbs firmly onto patties
- Use panko for even more crunch
🍽️ Serve With
- Fresh parsley & lemon wedges
- Side salad
- Mashed potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Rice bowl
These are crunchy on the outside, tender and savory inside, and dangerously snackable.
Simple ingredients.
Big flavor.
Zero leftovers.
