Chicken Patties
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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.
Love this idea. Another way to make your chicken go a long way. Tasty too.
thank you so much for this. I have done salmon patties and tun patties and even makrel when it was free or cheap cheap but never thought to do chicken. I guess it just never clicked. I have figured out that even the pickiest of kids will eat something if you make it into a patty and throw it on a bun. I love all your posts and your words of wisdom. Hope all is going well with the finishing touches on your book. Have a good week!
Just wanted to say, Salmon Patties are oh, so good, I use the 15 0z. can, drained, bones removed, 1/3 cup bread cumbs, diced onion, & 1 egg, mix and
shape into patties, fry in butter, ( I can’t believe it’s not butter).
I also love and use Tuna in many recipes. I don’t care for Tuna in water, has to be in vegetable oil. Haddock Squares are good, fried, baked and fixed in hot oil. That’s about it for things that swim. Don’t much care for the things that travel in water, like crab, lobster, snails and etc.
I also enjoy your recipes.
Great way to use leftover chicken! Why didn’t I think of this! lol
I hope you get to try it soon, Ann!!!
Gratefully,
Christy
When I make chicken stock, I use some of the cooked chicken in soup but there’s always some left over. A person can only eat so much chicken salad and cold chicken so I’m happy to have this recipe to try next time. I grind up my chicken in the food processor. For the crackers, I put them in the ziplock bag and then pound on them with my fists to relieve the stress if I’d had a bad day, then I finish up with my mom’s rolling pin.
Love how you added “to relieve my stress”, hehehe. Have you checked out my chicken plank recipe? I have a theory that the reason my granny was so nice is that she took her aggression out on the chicken 🙂
Gratefully,
Christy
Christy, about your “shadowy” photo problem…..My husband works in the film industry and often uses a “bounce” or “fill” to erase some shadows. Now what that looks to us non-film industry people is like is a big screen, either white or shiny. SOOOO, My big fat idea for you is to get out a shiny baking sheet and have one of your sweet helpers stand to the side of you and pop somma that sunlight back on your pretty plates of food. (a posterboard or white tray would be a good stand-in as well). I hope this helps! I think your pictures are just fine the way they are, just so you know. It’s a good photo if I want to make it, or eat it just from looking at it! Let me know if it works &Good Luck !
Great idea! Now I just need the little critters to be home when I need them, you know the chances of that! lol I’ll definitely try it though! Hope your day is going great, Roben!
Gratefully,
Christy
Christy, I do the same with three sheets of rollup cutting boards that are white or you can buy a little stand up poster board (like a science board only smaller) at Wally World that will reflect the light. I also once took an all white umbrella and put my light in it to reflect on the food. Cheap way of having photographers equipment. Just use anything that reflects or diffuses the light and you have it made. Just experiment.
would have never even thought of doing this with Chicken…wow!!
Can’t wait to hear more about You and Dolly!!
I think I’ll be talking about her on this week’s SFR also, I’ll let ya know! I’m going to be doing a Dollywood post soon, too!
Gratefully,
Christy