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I wanna tell you about my go-to trick for jazzing up chicken leftovers! These chicken fritters are so darn good, mixing juicy chicken with gooey cheese for a super tasty quick bite. They only take about 20 minutes to throw together, which makes them just right for those crazy days when you need something yummy and filling fast.
The Hidden Wonder of These Fritters
The best thing about these fritters is how they save even the most dried-out leftover chicken. The trick lies in the cream cheese that makes everything stay nice and juicy while the mozzarella brings that awesome melty texture. They're also super flexible so you can switch things around for whatever food needs you have.
What You'll Need for Fritters
- Chicken Shreds: Leftover store-bought rotisserie breast is ideal, but any cooked chicken chunks work fine.
- Egg: Works to stick all the fritter stuff together.
- Cream Cheese: Keeps everything moist and boosts the taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Gives that stretchy, melty goodness.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour helps your fritters stay together.
- Salt: You can skip this if you're cooking for little ones.
- Oil or Butter: For getting those fritters nice and golden when you cook them.
Creating Your Tasty Treats
- Step 1 - Cut Up Your Chicken
- Put your leftover chicken in a bowl and cut it into tiny bits with scissors or a knife. Try to get about 1.5 cups of finely cut chicken.
- Step 2 - Throw Everything Together
- Mix your chicken bits, cream cheese, mozzarella, egg, flour, and salt if you want in a bowl. Stir until it's all mixed up good.
- Step 3 - Get Your Pan Hot
- Warm up 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a frying pan on medium-low heat.
- Step 4 - Make and Cook Your Fritters
- Drop big spoonfuls onto the hot pan. Push them down a bit with your spoon to make them flat. Cook about 2-3 minutes on each side until they look golden and crispy.
- Step 5 - Cool and Munch
- Put the cooked fritters on some paper towels to soak up extra oil. Eat them while they're warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Store Your Leftover Fritters
These tasty bites will stay good in the fridge for a few days if you put them in a sealed container. I always make extra to stick in the freezer just put some baking paper between them so they don't get stuck. When you want to eat them again, just warm them up in the microwave and they'll taste almost fresh-made.
Clever Cooking Tips
Using scissors to cut up chicken saves so much time compared to a knife. Keep an eye on your fritters while they're cooking so they turn that perfect golden brown color. I like to mix up the flavors by throwing in different spices my top picks are paprika and garlic powder.
Answers to Your Questions
People always ask if they can use dark meat chicken and yeah it works great sometimes even better! You can switch things up with turkey instead or try making them veggie-style. They turn out crispy on the outside but still soft inside which makes them great for everyone from little kids to grown-ups. We like to dip them in all kinds of sauces but ranch and ketchup are what we grab most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the best kind of chicken to use?
Any kind works—roasted, grilled, or rotisserie. Just chop it finely and make sure it’s not too dry. If it's a bit dry, mix in extra cream cheese for moisture.
- → Can I prep these ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the ingredients a day in advance and leave it in the fridge, covered. For the crunchiest results, fry them fresh. Pre-cooked ones can be reheated in the oven to crisp them back up.
- → What’s good to serve with them?
Dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or honey mustard go great with these. Pair them with a salad or coleslaw, or pop them in sliders for a fun twist.
- → How do I keep them from falling apart?
Heat up your pan before adding fritters. Don’t flip them too soon—wait for the bottom to crisp up. The egg and flour help bind, while melted cheese also holds everything together.
- → What extra flavors can I add?
Seasonings like garlic or onion powder, Italian herbs, or cajun spices work great. Fresh parsley or chives add a nice kick. Don’t forget to keep the initial chicken seasoning in mind!
Conclusion
Transform leftover chicken into tasty fritters with cream cheese and mozzarella. Crunchy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, these snacks are a quick fix for any meal.