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PA Dutch Chicken Croquettes
What are Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes? Croquettes are usually thought of as being a small rounded mass of minced meat that has been dipped in egg and bread crumbs, and then deep-fat fried. That is exactly what a PA Dutch chicken croquette is.
These Amish chicken croquettes are made with cooked and chopped chicken that is mixed with a thick creamy sauce, shaped into balls, then dipped in eggs and coated in bread crumbs.
And to finish them off with the best and the most unhealthy part of all, they are deep-fried. But we all know that anything that's been deep-fried tastes amazing. Right?
Comfort Food = Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Croquettes
Some people would classify chicken croquettes as comfort food. So the question is, what puts certain foods into the classification of comfort food?
I believe that for many people comfort food is associated with their childhood or home-cooking. Often it is food with a higher carb content, and eating it provides a feeling of well-being.
For some of us, certain tastes and smells bring back memories of home. They provide a feeling of nostalgia and give us a longing for the past, typically a happy or carefree time in our lives.
Since starting my blog, I have been cooking and baking a lot more Amish food.
It's food that I grew up with. So when I'm cooking, some of the smells and tastes make me miss my home, especially my mom.
My Amish mom did a lot of cooking and baking, and she was a good cook. I have fond memories of working with her, and honestly, she was the most selfless person I've ever known.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Croquettes
To make Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes, you will need to start with the cream base. Unless, of course, you don't have any cooked chicken, then you will need to cook some chicken first.
But this Amish chicken recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. Or you can also make these with leftover turkey.
I chop my cooked chicken in my trusty little Ninja chopper (affiliate link). Just pulse it a few times until it's nicely chopped.
To make the sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan or skillet. Sprinkle and stir the flour into the melted butter.
Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking to combine. Cook, stirring constantly until a smooth paste is formed. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings.
My Recommendations for Making Ground Chicken Croquettes
I recommend letting the sauce cool before adding the chopped chicken. Once it's cool, mix the chicken and sauce and form the mixture into balls. I like to use a big cookie scoop (affiliate link).
Refrigerate the balls for several hours or overnight before dipping them into the egg and crumbs.
You don't have to do this. You can mix the warm sauce with the chicken, form it into balls, and immediately dip and fry them. It will just be a little messier job to get the balls dipped.
And you can make the balls as big or little as you prefer. This Dutch croquette recipe can easily make nine to twelve balls.
If you like a lot of creamy filling on the inside, stick with nine balls. If you prefer having more of the crispy fried texture, make at least twelve balls.
Deep Fat Fry, Pan Fry, or Air Fry?
Air Fry
If you are watching your cholesterol and don't want to consume as much fried food, there are alternatives to deep-frying your Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes.
I have not invested in an air fryer yet. Maybe someday. I am told, however, that they are amazing. So, if you have one, go ahead and air-fry your croquettes. It would definitely be a healthier option.
*Edited to add Air-Fryer Tip: I had someone tell me that they tried this recipe and cooked the croquettes in the middle of the air-fryer for 14 minutes at 350 degrees. She said they were perfect! ð I had a second individual tell me that she air-fried them for 20 minutes at 370 degrees. So I guess it depends on how crispy you like them.
Pan Fry
You can also just pour a thin layer of oil into a skillet and pan-fry them. Keep turning the balls until all sides are browned.
Deep Fry
The most common way of cooking chicken croquettes is the deep-frying method.
You can use an electric deep fryer if you want. I have one of those, but honestly, I've never really been impressed with it. It takes a lot of oil to fill it, and it seems to have difficulty keeping the oil hot enough (maybe I need a better one).
I often end up using a medium-large saucepan on my stovetop. Fill it about three-fourths full of cooking oil (I like to use peanut oil, but canola oil works great too).
Heat the oil to 325 - 350 degrees F. (use a cooking thermometer - affiliate link). As you are frying, you may have to adjust the burner to keep the temperature maintained between 325 and 350 degrees.
Fry a few balls at a time until they are a nice golden brown. Remove the croquettes with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
*Caution: The oil is very hot, so please be careful!
Sauce for Chicken Croquettes
Some people like to cook a cream sauce to serve with their croquettes, but we always ate ours with chicken gravy.
After all, Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes are great served with mashed potatoes. So you can top both your mashed potatoes and croquettes with the gravy. Add some vegetables, and you've got an amazing home-cooked Amish meal.
More Amish Dinner Recipes
Amish Meatloaf with Oats Recipe
Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling
Rice Krispie Chicken Recipe
Amish Wedding Chicken and Stuffing (Roasht) Recipe
Easy Baked Corn
Sweet Potato Casserole
I hope you enjoy PA Dutch chicken croquettes. They are a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey.
If you try this recipe, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Croquettes Recipe
Chicken croquettes are made with cooked chopped chicken that is mixed with a thick creamy sauce and rolled into balls. Dip the balls into egg and crumbs and deep fat fry. They are very delicious served with mashed potatoes and gravy!
5 from 8 votes
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Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
cool 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Amish
Servings 9 servings
Calories 348 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 c. cooked chicken, ground (leftover chicken or turkey works great)
- 2 Tbs. butter
- 2 Tbs. flour
- 1 c. half and half (you can substitute with milk)
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. minced onion flakes
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 - 1 c. panko or regular bread crumbs
- oil, for frying
Instructions
To make the sauce, melt the butter and stir in the flour. Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking as you are pouring.
2 Tbs. butter, 2 Tbs. flour, 1 c. half and half
Cook, and stir constantly until a smooth paste is formed. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings. Cool.
3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. minced onion flakes
Mix the chopped chicken with the creamy sauce. Form into 9 - 12 balls and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
2 c. cooked chicken, ground
Dip the balls into beaten eggs, then roll into bread crumbs.
2 eggs, 1/2 - 1 c. panko or regular bread crumbs
Deep fat fry several croquettes at a time, with your oil between 325° and 350°, for several minutes until they are golden brown.
Remove the croquettes with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Croquettes are delicious served with chicken gravy and mashed potatoes.
Notes
I recommend chopping cooked chicken, not using raw ground chicken.
If you are in a hurry to make the croquettes, you do not have to chill the sauce or the croquettes. You can mix, dip, and fry them right away. They are just messier to work with when they are warm.
If you prefer, you can pan-fry your croquettes instead of deep-frying them. Or air-fry them (instructions are included in the post above.)
Be very careful when frying, the oil is HOT!
* Nutrition facts are approx. estimates.
Nutrition
Serving: 1large croquetteCalories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 21gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 390mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 169IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Creamy chicken croquettes, Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes
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