Chicken Patties

These easy leftover Chicken Patties, made with breadcrumbs, yogurt, herbs and spices, are a fantastic way to transform your leftovers into a scrumptious meal. Serve with side dishes or as chicken burgers. Pan-fried, baked, or air-fried.

Some days, dinner just needs to be fast, flexible, and not feel like leftovers.

These leftover chicken patties are my go-to when I have roasted chicken sitting in the fridge and no plan.

The texture is tender and just firm enough, with a little crisp on the edges. They're seasoned with paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and fresh dill, which adds brightness and depth without overwhelming the chicken.

The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn't rely on cheese or mayo, and you don't need a long list of ingredients.

A few pantry staples and a food processor (or knife) will do. You mix everything in one bowl and shape the patties by hand. You can cook them in a skillet or in the air fryer.

I like to serve these as burgers with a big salad, or tuck them into a wrap with cucumbers and yogurt sauce. They're also great alongside a few sides, like Shrimp Macaroni Salad or Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Uses leftover roast chicken, reducing food waste.
• Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
• No mayo or cheese in these chicken fritters.
• Can be made in a skillet, oven, or air fryer.
• Freezer-friendly and meal prep approved.
• Tastes great hot or cold.
• Easily customized with other spices or herbs.
• Great for kids, adults, and lunchboxes.
• Can be served in many different ways.
• Made with affordable, pantry-staple ingredients.

Ingredients

• Leftover Chicken: Tender and flavorful, using leftover roasted chicken adds a rich and savory taste to the chicken patties, giving them a delicious base to build upon. You can also use leftover grilled or poached chicken. Just remove bones and skin.
• Breadcrumbs: These pantry staples provide structure and help bind the mixture together, creating a satisfying texture and ensuring they hold their shape during cooking.
• Egg: The beaten egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and adding moisture.
• Plain Yogurt: Adding plain yogurt to the mixture adds a creamy and tangy element, enhancing its flavor and contributing to its moistness.
• Onion: Finely chopped or pureed onion brings a mild, sweet, and aromatic note to the patties, providing a subtle layer of flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.
• Finely Chopped Dill Weed: Dill weed adds a fresh and herbaceous taste, infusing them with a delightful hint of brightness.
• Paprika: The addition of paprika brings a warm and slightly smoky flavor, elevating their taste profile and adding a touch of complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder lends its distinct flavor to the patties, providing a savory and aromatic punch that enhances the overall taste experience.
• Ground Cumin: The inclusion of ground cumin adds an earthy and slightly nutty flavor, complementing the other spices and adding depth to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper: These basic seasonings are essential for enhancing the overall taste, ensuring they are properly seasoned and balanced.
• Oil: Olive oil or canola oil is used for cooking the chicken patties.

See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.

Instructions

If you're wondering how to make this chicken patties recipe, don't worry, it's easy!

Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

Add the leftover chicken to a food processor and pulse until ground. Alternatively, very finely chop it.

Add the onion to the food processor and puree (or very finely chop).

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pureed onion, breadcrumbs, egg, yogurt, dill, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Shape the mixture into patties, using approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture for each patty. Form them into uniform patties, ensuring they are of even thickness throughout for even cooking.

To air fry:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil.
• Place the chicken patties on parchment paper.
• Air Fry for 8 minutes, then flip each one over and air fry for a further 3-5 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

To oven bake:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Place the formed patties on a lined baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one so they bake evenly.
• Brush or spray the tops of the patties lightly with olive oil.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes. Flip them halfway through baking (around 8-9 minutes) to ensure even browning on both sides.
• Check for doneness: The patties should be firm, slightly golden, and heated through. If they're still pale or soft in the middle, give them another 2-3 minutes.

To pan fry:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken patties in the skillet, leaving some space between each patty. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken patties to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

1. As a main protein: Serve your chicken patties as a main course with a few side dishes. Try it with a scoop of Greek Pasta Salad, Mango Corn Salsa, Spicy Air Fryer Potato Wedges, or Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes.
2. Classic Burger Style: Place a chicken patty on a bun, and add your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, and condiments such as Homemade Burger Sauce.
3. In pita bread with lettuce and tahini.
4. On a salad with vinaigrette.
5. Tucked into a sandwich with mayo and pickles.
6. Alongside roasted vegetables.
7. In a grain bowl with rice and sauce.
8. Topped with a fried egg and hot sauce.
9. Crumbled into pasta or noodles.
10. As sliders with soft buns.
11. Wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb meal.
12. With mashed potatoes and gravy.

Variations

• Add chopped spinach or kale for extra greens.
• Use smoked paprika for a smokier flavor.
• Swap dill for parsley, cilantro, or chives.
• Use mashed potatoes instead of breadcrumbs for a softer patty.
• Add crumbled feta for a Greek twist.
• Stir in a spoon of Dijon mustard for tang.
• Use curry powder instead of cumin for a different spice profile.
• Make mini patties for sliders or appetizers.
• Use canned chicken in a pinch.
• Add a spoonful of grated Parmesan for umami (if not dairy-free).

Storage, Freezing, and Make Ahead

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze uncooked or cooked patties. Layer them between parchment and store in freezer bags.
• Reheat in a skillet or oven at 350°F until warmed through. Air fryer works too.
• Make Ahead by forming patties and keeping them uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Note: It's important to ensure that the chicken patties are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming to ensure they are thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.

FAQ

📖 Recipe

Chicken Patties

These succulent Chicken Patties, made with ground leftover chicken, breadcrumbs, a touch of yogurt, and a hint of dill, are a fantastic way to transform your leftovers into a scrumptious meal. Serve with side dishes or as chicken burgers.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken patties, leftover chicken, leftover chicken patties

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 260kcal

Author: Kate | You Say Potatoes

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Equipment

• Food processor
• Mixing Bowl
• Skillet
• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover roasted chicken finely ground in a food processor
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
• ½ an onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill weed
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking

Instructions

• Add the leftover chicken to a food processor pulse until ground. Alternatively, very finely chop it.
• Add the onion to the food processor and puree (or very finely chop).
• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pureed onion, breadcrumbs, egg, yogurt, dill, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Shape the mixture into patties, using approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture for each patty. Form them into uniform patties, ensuring they are of even thickness throughout for even cooking.

To pan fry:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken patties in the skillet, leaving some space between each patty. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

To air fry:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil. Place the chicken patties on parchment paper. Air Fry for 8 minutes, then flip each one over and air fry for a further 3-5 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
• Once cooked, transfer the chicken patties to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

To oven bake:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Place the formed patties on a lined baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one so they bake evenly.
• Brush or spray the tops of the patties lightly with olive oil.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes. Flip them halfway through baking (around 8-9 minutes) to ensure even browning on both sides.
• Check for doneness: The patties should be firm, slightly golden, and heated through. If they're still pale or soft in the middle, give them another 2-3 minutes.
• Serve the chicken patties as desired. They can be enjoyed on their own as a main course, or you can use them in burgers, wraps, or salads.

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Notes

The number of servings from the above recipe for chicken patties will depend on the size of the patties you form. With approximately ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture per patty, you can estimate the number of servings as follows:

• If you make smaller patties using ¼ cup of the mixture, you can expect around 8 patties, which may serve 4-6 people, depending on appetites and accompanying dishes.
• If you make larger patties using ⅓ cup of the mixture, you will yield approximately 6 patties, serving 3-4 people.

Remember, you can easily scale up or down the recipe based on the number of people you want to serve. Adjust the ingredients accordingly, keeping the ratios of the ingredients consistent, to meet your desired serving size.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 466mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.