Chicken Patties
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Chicken patties are a game-changer for decreasing wasted leftovers and giving it new life! Use leftover chicken to make a delicious chicken sandwich meal.
This is one of my chicken patties recipe ideas and it is perfect if you have chicken of any kind: fried chicken (take off skin and shred it up!), rotisserie chicken, or even leftover chicken fingers. If you’ve had these chicken patties before, though, you’ll know why a lot of people cook chicken just to be able to make them! Whether you’re having them as a main dish, in a sandwich, or as a snack, they’re sure to be a hit.
Made with super simple ingredients that you likely already have, these patties have a nice crispy outside and a juicy, flavorful inside. Great for meal prepping, these chicken patties can be frozen and reheated easily, making them a convenient option for busy days. Pair them with a fresh salad, serve them on a bun with your favorite toppings, or enjoy them on their own for a quick protein boost!
What You’ll Need to Make Chicken Patties:
Recipe Ingredients:
- Shredded Chicken*
- Milk
- Saltine crackers
- Poultry seasoning
- Onion
- Eggs
- Salt and pepper
*How to Shred Chicken:
Take hot cooked chicken, with no bones, and place in the bowl of your stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, turn it on low for a minute, then turn it up to medium or so for another minute. The result? Perfectly shredded chicken! For more info, check out our How To Shred Meat: Hands Free Tutorial Here
How to Make Chicken Patties:
Place Saltines in a food processor and pulse until they turn to crumbs.
Alternatively, use a ziplock bag and a rolling pin to crush the crackers. Using this method, I usually get started crushing them in the sleeve.
Chop up your onion really well.
In a small bowl, combine eggs, seasonings, and milk. Mix them up really well with a fork.
In a separate bowl place your chicken, cracker crumbs, and onion. Stir that up well.
Pour in your liquid ingredients. Stir that up really well.
Now cover this with a towel and let it sit for about five minutes.
Form the chicken mixture into patties with a patty press. You can also use your hands to form the chicken patties, pressing together really well as you form them.
I make big patties for sandwiches and usually end up with about five but you can easily make smaller ones and get seven or eight.
Now heat a grill pan and and grill the chicken patties until browned on both sides, flipping once.
You can also use a skillet and a tablespoon or so of oil if you prefer! Heat it on medium heat for a minute or two, and then pop those puppies in there.
Grill until browned on both sides, flipping once (or twice if you need to, ain’t nobody gonna judge here).
Take your chicken patties off the grill and serve as a sandwich with all your favorite sandwich fixings!
This is what it looks like inside. Incredibly tender and flavorful. Can’t wait to dig in!
Commonly Asked Questions about Chicken Patties:
Can These Chicken Patties Be Frozen?
Absolutely! I make a huge batch of them about once a month and then freeze them in quart sized zipper seal bags to heat up whenever we need a quick side. They microwave well and you can’t ever tell they weren’t freshly made!
What fixings should I put on my chicken patty sandwich?
Creating a delicious chicken patty sandwich can be a delightful culinary experience. Here are some fixings and combinations to consider:
Classic Fixings
- Lettuce: Crisp and fresh, it adds a nice crunch.
- Tomato: Slices of juicy tomato for a burst of freshness.
- Pickles: Adds a tangy crunch.
- Onions: Raw red onions for a sharp bite, or caramelized onions for sweetness.
Cheeses
- Cheddar: Sharp and flavorful.
- Swiss: Mild and creamy.
- Provolone: Melts well and adds a slight smoky flavor.
- Pepper Jack: For a spicy kick.
Sauces and Condiments
- Mayonnaise: Classic and creamy.
- Mustard: Adds a tangy zest.
- Ketchup: Traditional and sweet.
- BBQ Sauce: Smoky and rich.
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy with herbs.
- Hot Sauce: For some heat.
Additional Toppings
- Bacon: Adds a savory crunch.
- Avocado: Creamy and rich.
- Jalapeños: For extra heat.
- Coleslaw: Adds a tangy, crunchy element.
- Sautéed Mushrooms: Earthy and savory.
Bread Options
- Brioche Bun: Buttery and soft.
- Ciabatta Roll: Chewy and rustic.
- Pretzel Bun: Slightly salty and dense.
- Whole Wheat Bun: Healthier option with a nutty flavor.
Combinations to Try
- Classic Chicken Sandwich: Lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
- Spicy Delight: Pepper Jack cheese, jalapeños, lettuce, and hot sauce on a ciabatta roll.
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich: Cheddar cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw on a pretzel bun.
- Avocado Ranch: Provolone cheese, avocado, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato on a whole wheat bun.
Feel free to mix and match these fixings to create your perfect chicken patty sandwich!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 small onion finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning can use less if you like
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together chicken and cracker crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together all other ingredients. Pour wet mixture into bowl with chicken and stir until well combined. Cover with dish towel and allow to sit for five minutes. Form into 5-7 patties. Can freeze at this time and cook them later.
- To cook: Place about 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet and heat over medium high heat for a few minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add patties. Cook until well browned on both sides, flipping once. To cook from frozen, follow same instructions but allow longer cooking time. Remove from heat once hot through.
- Serve on their own or on buns, mayo (if you like it), lettuce, and fresh tomato.
Okay, you really came through for me. My son loves chicken and I have all this canned chicken left over from our hurricane supplies last year. Yeah! now I have something I can do with it besides chicken salad. Thank you.
HA! You and I must think alike because canned chicken is one thing that I consider a premium supply for our disaster preparedness food pantry. LOVE THAT STUFF!
Also, try the chicken lettuce wraps on here if you like. they’re awfully good, too! Have a great day!
Gratefully,
Christy
P.S. I also keep cans of sweet potatoes in there, in case the world comes to an end and I need comfort food 🙂
I just love your post Christy, esp how you jump from poultry seasoning to Dolly Parton! Had to slap my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing out and disturbing my coworkers. I am definately going to try it!
~giggle~ And your post made me giggle, thank you! Hope your day is sunny at the office! I bet you’re the sunshine!
Gratefully,
Christy
Oh my! These sound wonderful! Also love the idea of shredding chicken with my mixer – who’d of thunk?!? 🙂 I know you don’t like salmon patties, but a wonderful little lady from our church shared her recipe that changed my mind…she used leftover mashed potatoes instead of cracker crumbs as her binding agent. Let me tell you – those were always the lightest, fluffiest salmon patties you ever put in your mouth! She also said to spend a few pennies more and buy the boned & skinned canned salmon – that’s the real secret!
It has always been my experience that wonderful little ladies make the best tasting food around!
Gratefully,
Christy
This is great! Cause no one around here wants to eat plain ole leftover chicken. Thanks again, Christy!
No, thank YOU Leslie!!! I appreciate you taking the time to chat with me! 🙂
Have a fabulous afternoon!
Gratefully,
Christy
Whoa, these look delicious. I think “chicken patty”, and I flashback to looking at my grade school lunch menu and me saying, “Mom, it’s chicken patties. I’m packing a lunch today.” These chicken patties are NOT those! Think I’m gonna go thaw some chicken and erase those awful memories and replace them with your recipe, Christy. 😀
Oh wow! Yup, notcho lunchroom’s chicken patty! I hope these help!!
Gratefully,
Christy
This looks wonderful – have printed this recipe and will try very soon. I LOVE all of your recipes!
You sweet sweet woman! You reminded me that I had forgotten to put the print commands in this one and I was able to fix it before anyone noticed. Thank you!!!
Gratefully,
Christy
They do look good and sound terrific.
I do LOVE salmon patties, though. I love things that swim.
Theresa, Indianapolis
Well you need to sit by me then because I can pass over all that goodness to your plate and we can both be happy!!! Good to hear from you Theresa, I emailed you back! Thanks for emailing 🙂
Gratefully,
Christy