Mom’s famous chicken cakes or chicken croquettes, have to be my all-time favorite meal she made. Shredded chicken, mixed with spices, flour and butter, covered in Panko and lightly fried.

So here it is, probably my all time favorite recipe my mom has passed down to me…..drum roll please….CHICKEN CAKES!
I know, kinda sounds weird, but seriously, I love these things and so does everyone else I invite over for dinner. My kids LOVE them, my husband LOVES them, and of course I do too. It is a super simple recipe, just takes a little time to let the mixture chill before you crisp them up. If you have a larger family, like me (3 kids), I would recommend doubling the recipe.
How to Make Chicken Croquettes
One of the keys to this dish is making sure the chicken is shredded and chopped. You don’t want big hunks of chicken in the mixture. Feel free to use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. Typically, I boil my chicken until it is cooked and then shred and chop.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in flour. Add in milk and chicken broth. Stir until the mixture thickens. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Stir in parsley, lemon juice, onion flakes, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and paprika.
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Combine sauce with shredded chicken.
- Place the mixture in a container and put in the refrigerator until mixture has cooled. At least one hour.
- Form them into nice patties. Sometimes my husband will make them a little smaller for the kids so they can pick them up like a chicken nugget.
- Next, roll the chicken croquettes in Panko crumbs and then dip in egg mixture and then cover in more Panko crumbs.
- Fry in heated vegetable oil. Cook about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown on each side.
What to Serve with Chicken Croquettes
There are many different things I serve along side these chicken cakes. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Loaded Ranch Mashed Potatoes
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Vegetable Casserole
- Corn Salad
Tips for Making The Best Chicken Croquettes
- Be sure to give the mixture time to chill. This helps in forming the croquette and the staying together when you fry them.
- Make sure not to over fry them. Golden brown is the color you are looking for.
- If you have leftovers, wrap them in foil and store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to reheat, place them in the oven at 400 for 5-10 minutes.
More Chicken Recipes
You might also enjoy this tasty Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken from Cakes Cottage.
Mom's famous Chicken Cakes
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dry onion flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups shredded and diced cooked chicken
- 2-3 cups panko crumbs
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix in flour.
- Add milk and chicken broth. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Cook for 1 minute.
- Add parsley, lemon juice, onion flakes, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and paprika.
- Remove pot from heat and stir in chicken. Mix until combined.
- Place mixture in a covered container and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
- Shape mixture into cakes, cover in panko crumbs.
- Dip cakes in beaten eggs and then cover in panko again.
- Fill large pan with 1/4 inch vegetable oil and heat over medium heat.
- Once oil is hot, place chicken cakes in oil and cook until brown. (about 3-4 minutes on each side)
- Remove cakes from oil and place on a paper towel to drain excess grease.
Sommer
My whole family loves these! Great for lunch or dinner.
Toni
Loved these chicken cakes! They taste so good!
Kellie H
My kids LOVED these! Totally quick and easy to make.
Aimee Shugarman
These were so delicious, my family gobbled them up!
Alli
These were so good! I’ve never made these and when I did it was like boom! Love them!
rosalyn
Cooking these things 3-5 minutes on each side won’t get them hot inside. Recommend sticking them in a hot oven after browning them on stove.
Heather
These are absolutely perfect! Great new way to prepare chicken! Thanks!!
Ciao Florentina
I can tell how crispy those are from the photo, I totally approve this one ha!
Michelle
That’s a smart idea, reminds me of fish cakes
Patti @ CooksRecipeCollection.com
Never heard of chicken cakes, will have to give them a try for sure!
Brian Jones
These sound like the most wonderful nibbles, I may have to add them to our smorgasboard of stuff that we cook when friends come to visit 😀
Faye Wilkerson
These chicken cakes sounds delicious. So much better than processed chicken nuggets.
Hillary Reeves
Not sure why it’s never crossed my mind to make a chicken cake… this looks so perfect and delicious.
Oana @AdoreFoods
Such a great idea, my daughter is going to love these cute chicken cakes! Perfect healthy after school snack
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen
What a great idea, they look so good, can’t wait to try them.
J @ A Hot Southern Mess
Oh my yum! These little bites look extremely good! I can imagine how delicious they taste! 🙂
Molly Kumar
The recipe looks really easy and I’m sure the addition of chicken broth and milk would have made the cakes juicy and delicious.
Platter Talk
Our kids are going to love these chicken cakes; easy to see why they are famous!
Razena |Tantalisemytastebuds.com
This looks so good that I can imagine having it on a sandwich with some chili sauce.
heather
That is a great idea!
Tina Marie
These sound so good. My mother and grandmother used to make salmon and crab cakes the same way.
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal
I’ve honestly never had chicken cakes before. This look so yummy! My husband with his Pennsylvania Dutch background would love these!
Byron Thomas
Jesus, that looks so freaking delicious! I need this right now!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats
Ooh, it is like a grown up chicken nugget. Love that!
Chris @ SimpleFood365
Wow! What a better option than processed chicken nuggets or patties! These look great!
Noor
Chicken cakes is such a cute name, we call these cutlets here in Pakistan. I bet they taste as scrumptious as they look.
Pinned!
Claudia | Gourmet Project
great recipe for my coming brunch party!
Renee
What a great way to get “chicken nugget loving kids’ to eat some real chicken! I’m sure I’d like them too 🙂
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo
I think chicken cakes sound fabulous! Much better than chicken nuggets 😉
heather
Thanks Judy! The kids love them.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Salmon cakes? Tuna cakes? How clever! I love the idea of chicken cakes. Will try!!
Cassandrea @ chewsandbrews.ca
I never thought of making chicken cakes before!! Always crab cakes! But why not chicken?! These look delicious! Pinning!