Cheesy Chicken Baked Croquettes

No one likes plain old leftovers. Cheesy Chicken Baked Croquettes are not only one of our son’s favorite meals when he’s home from college but it’s also a scrumptious solution to boring leftover chicken and potatoes! So if you’re ready to get your hands a little messy with this easy recipe, I’ll show you what you need to do.

If you only have leftover chicken, here is our family’s most favorite made-from-scratch mashed potato recipe!

Chicken, mashed potatoes, melted cheese with a tasty crunch … what more can you ask for??

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What do you need to make Cheesy Chicken Baked Croquettes?

The best thing about this recipe, besides the taste, is that you’re able to use up some leftovers from the fridge. I really hate wasting food and we try really hard not to but there are times when we’re just not in the mood to reheat and re-eat a meal. So this is a really great and creative way to use up what you already have.

Here’s what you need:

Bowl #1 – Potatoes

• Leftover mashed potatoes – 2 cups, chilled ** try this recipe Garlic Cheddar Mashed Potatoes!

Bowl #2 – Chicken Mixture

• Leftover cooked chicken – 1 1/2 cups, shredded
• Cayenne pepper – 1 teaspoon
• Sour cream – 3/4 cup
• Salt + pepper – to preferred taste
• Cheddar cheese – 10 – 1 inch cubes or 1 1/2 cups shredded
• Sweet peppers – 1 small pepper, finely diced

Bowl #3 – Flour mixture

• Flour – 3/4 cup
• Pepper – 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt – 1/4 teaspoon

Bowl #4 – Breadcrumb Mixture

• Panko bread crumbs, 2 cups
• Paprika, 1/2 teaspoon
• Pepper, 1/4 teaspoon
• Vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons

Bowl #5 – Egg coating

• Eggs – 2 large, whisked together

Toppings – Optional

• Green onions – diced
• Parmesan cheese – fresh or dried

How do you make Cheesy Chicken Baked Croquettes?

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and lightly spray the paper with non-stick cooking spray.

Then combine the cooked chicken, sour cream, and cayenne pepper together in a small or medium-sized mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside the cubed (or shredded) cheese and diced peppers for your croquette assembly line.

Whisk together both eggs in a separate small bowl and set aside for the assembly process.

Grab another bowl and mix together the flour, salt, and pepper. (Lots of bowls are used in the making of this recipe!)

Next, in another bowl or dish, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, and pepper. Drizzle oil over the top and stir together to spread the oil around all the breadcrumbs.

Croquette Assembly

Using slightly more than a tablespoon of mashed potatoes, mash it in your hands and flatten it into a circle.

Drop a small spoonful of the chicken mixture, a cube of cheese, and a few diced peppers – and then wrap the mashed potato around it into a cylinder or some type of a circular shape. Perfection is not required here!

Dip the croquette into the flour mixture, then the egg, and then finally into the breadcrumbs – packing the breadcrumbs softly into the potatoes while completely coating the croquette.

Place each croquette on the baking pan and repeat. Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill the croquette for about 10 minutes (refrigerating the completed croquettes is optional).

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove promptly if the cheese begins to leak out so the croquette will not flatten out and lose its shape. Nobody likes a flattened croquette. 😉

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and chopped green onions and you’re ready to serve!

How to store Cheesy Chicken Baked Croquettes:

I don’t recommend refrigerating any leftovers since this meal has already been cooked twice. Making leftovers of the leftovers just doesn’t sit well with me. Ha!

What can you serve with these crunchy croquettes?

A side salad or any vegetable will pair up well with this recipe. Or you could serve the leftover chicken on the side and omit the chicken mixture from the recipe… just fill each croquette with cheese and peppers.

Looking for more tasty recipes? Try one of these …

• Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous
• Chicken & Pork Crostina Pasta
• Creamy Beef and Potatoes
• Wild Rice Chicken Casserole – (Easy Recipe)
• Meat and Potato Timballo Pie

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