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I wanna tell you about my go-to trick for jazzing up yesterday's chicken! These chicken fritters are seriously mind-blowing, mixing juicy chicken with gooey cheese for a super tasty quick bite. They only take about 20 minutes to whip up, so they're just right for those crazy days when you need something hearty and yummy fast.
The Secret Wonder of These Fritters
What's really cool about these fritters is how they can save even the most dried-out leftover chicken. The trick lies in the cream cheese which makes everything stay nice and juicy while the mozzarella gives you that amazing stretchy cheese pull. And they're super flexible too, so you can easily tweak them to match whatever food needs you've got.
What You'll Need
- Shredded Chicken: Using up leftover rotisserie chicken breast is ideal, but honestly any cooked chicken works great.
- Egg: This helps everything stick together nicely.
- Cream Cheese: Keeps everything juicy and adds a rich taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Gives that awesome melty texture.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour helps your fritters keep their form.
- Salt: You can skip this if you're making them for little ones.
- Oil or Butter: For frying until they're perfectly golden.
Simple Steps to Deliciousness
- Step 1 - Chop the Chicken
- Put your leftover chicken in a bowl and cut it into tiny bits with kitchen scissors or a knife. You want about 1.5 cups of finely chopped chicken.
- Step 2 - Mix the Ingredients
- Throw the chopped chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, egg, flour, and salt (if you want) into a bowl. Stir everything up good.
- Step 3 - Heat the Pan
- Warm up 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a frying pan on medium-low heat.
- Step 4 - Form and Cook the Fritters
- Drop big spoonfuls onto the hot pan. Push them down a bit with your spoon or spatula to make fritter shapes. Cook about 2-3 minutes on each side until they look golden and crispy.
- Step 5 - Serve and Cool
- Move the cooked fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to cool a little bit. Eat them warm with whatever dip you love.
Smart Storage Tips
These little gems stay good in the fridge for a few days if you put them in a sealed container. I always make more than I need so I can freeze some just don't forget to put some baking paper between them so they won't get stuck together. When you want to eat them later, a little time in the microwave makes them taste fresh again.
Clever Cooking Tricks
Grab some kitchen scissors when you're cutting up the chicken it's way faster than using a knife. Keep an eye on those fritters while they're cooking you want them just the right shade of golden brown. I like to play around with different spices to change things up my top picks are paprika and garlic powder.
Quick Answers to Your Questions
People always ask if they can use dark meat and yes it works sometimes even better! You can switch things up with turkey or try making them with veggies instead. They come out so good crispy on the outside but soft on the inside just right for everyone from little kids to grown-ups. We gobble them up with all kinds of dips but ranch and ketchup are the ones we grab most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the best leftover chicken for these bites?
Any cooked chicken works great—grilled, roasted, or rotisserie. Just chop it small, and if it's dry, add a bit more cream cheese to balance it out.
- → Can I prep this ahead of time?
Sure! The mixture can sit in the fridge for up to a day before cooking. It's best to fry them fresh for the crunch. Already cooked bites can be warmed up in a low oven.
- → What goes well with these chicken bites?
Serve them with dips like marinara, ranch, or honey mustard. They also go nicely with salad or coleslaw for a simple meal. They're tasty in sliders too!
- → How do I keep the bites from falling apart?
Heat the pan well before cooking, and don't flip them too early. The egg and flour help hold things together, and melted cheese does the rest.
- → What can I add for extra flavor?
Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite seasoning blend. Fresh herbs like parsley or chives also give a great boost, but check how seasoned your chicken already is.
Conclusion
Transform your leftover chicken into crispy, cheesy bites made with cream cheese and mozzarella. They're fast to whip up and a fun way to use up what's in your fridge.