Everyone loves these Chicken Patties, even the pickiest eaters! They are crisp on the outside with a juicy, cheesy center and it’s a genius way to use leftover Rotisserie Chicken.

Chicken patties on a platter with lemon wedges

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Chicken Patties Video Tutorial:

We love making these anytime we have leftover chicken and no one would ever guess you used leftovers. The chicken becomes super tender and tasty when combined with the batter and the panko crust seals in the moist center.

Years ago, we shared our favorite Cheesy Chicken Fritters recipe and it was an instant hit. So many of you let me know that it works just as well with cooked chicken so we tested it and loved it, then this Chicken Patties recipe was born. So, thank you for making this recipe happen!

Chicken patty broken in half to show tender juicy center

Ingredients for Chicken Cakes:

Chicken cakes are super easy to make. All you need is a rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken meat, a simple batter, mozzarella cheese, and Panko bread crumbs (or use whatever bread crumbs you have on hand). The lemon zest and dill seem insignificant, but they completely transform these chicken patties.

Ingredients for chicken patties with rotisserie chicken, cheese, egg, dill, bread crumbs and lemon

Can I Substitute the Chicken?

  • Canned Chicken – make sure to drain well and use (3) 12.5-oz cans of chicken.
  • Raw Chicken – If you want to use raw diced chicken or even ground chicken, check out our chicken fritters recipe.

The Easiest Way to Shred Chicken:

There are three basic ways to shred the chicken: by hand, with 2 forks and our favorite is to use a stand mixer.

To shred chicken with a stand mixer: This method works best if your chicken is still warm. Break chicken breasts in half and mix on low speed with the paddle attachment until chicken is shredded. Be careful not overmix since it takes seconds to shred. Try this method for Pulled Pork or Crockpot Pulled Chicken.

How to shred chicken with forks or in stand mixer

Can I Make Chicken Patties Ahead?

You can make these ahead up to any point in the process, even to bread them then refrigerate for a couple of days until ready to saute.

The USDA recommends refrigerating cooked chicken or leftovers up to 4 days so it depends on how long your leftover chicken has been in the refrigerator. I cook half of the batch on the first day and sautee a fresh batch a couple of days later.

Step by step how to make chicken cakes using leftover chicken

How to Reheat Chicken Patties:

The air fryer is our favorite method since it makes the crust crisp again. The microwave is our least favorite method because the crust softens but the patties will taste great even microwaved. This is one of the few chicken recipes that we still enjoy reheated in the microwave.

  • Air Fryer – you can re-crisp chicken patties in the air fryer at 350˚F for 4 minutes, flipping halfway
  • Skillet – place on a dry non-stick skillet over medium heat and sautee until crisp and just warmed through
  • Microwave – microwave 30 seconds at a time, or just until the center is warmed through.

Up close crispy chicken cake garnished with dill

How to Serve Chicken Patties:

Just like our salmon cakes, shrimp cakes, and classic crab cakes, we love serving these as appetizers or a light lunch. Here are some creative ways to serve a chicken patty:

  1. Chicken sliders – make a chicken sandwich or sliders on Hawaiian sweet rolls
  2. With a sauce – like the lemon aioli dip that we used for Crisp Zucchini Bites. You could use Avocado Ranch or plain ranch.
  3. Main Course – serve chicken patties as the main protein with mashed potatoes and a fresh salad.

Chicken patties served on a platter garnished with dill

More Leftover Chicken Recipes:

We love to repurpose leftovers and make easy meals out of them. We especially love recipes that make the chicken taste even better like these Chicken Patties. Here are more creative ways to use leftover chicken:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Chicken Patties (Easy Chicken Cakes) Recipe

4.98 from 215 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
chicken Patties with cheesy tender chicken center
Everyone loves these Chicken Patties, even the pickiest eaters! They are crisp on the outside with a juicy, cheesy center and it's a genius way to use leftover Rotisserie Chicken.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients 

Servings: 14 patties
  • 4 cups shredded chicken, from 2 large chicken breasts, (16 oz by weight)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 Tbsp parsley)
  • 3/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon zest, plus lemon wedges to serve
  • 1 1/3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil to saute, divided
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together: 2 eggs, 1/3 cup mayo, 1/3 cup flour, 3 Tbsp dill, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp lemon zest.
  • Add in shredded chicken and 1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella then stir until chicken is well coated in batter.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture at least 30 minutes (this will help with forming patties). Use a trigger release ice cream scoop to divide into 12-15 cakes then form into 1/2-inch thick patties. Dip both sides in Panko crumbs.
  • Place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and half of the chicken patties. Sauté for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, adding more oil as needed. Repeat with remaining patties.
  • As soon as patties are off the heat, sprinkle with salt and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the patties. Serve warm.

Nutrition Per Serving

185kcal Calories6g Carbs14g Protein11g Fat3g Saturated Fat63mg Cholesterol296mg Sodium121mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar109IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C100mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Patties (Easy Chicken Cakes) Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
185
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
63
mg
21
%
Sodium
 
296
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
121
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
 
109
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
100
mg
10
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken cakes, chicken patties
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 185

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Dee
    March 14, 2024

    These are delicious! Our new family favorite!!
    Can they be frozen for a quick air fryer dinner?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 14, 2024

      Hi Dee! Yes, they freeze well.

      Reply

  • Connie Leonards
    March 12, 2024

    These are delicious. This is a big win! My husband does not usually eat left over chicken but he loved these! I made a mayo/dill sauce to dip in. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 12, 2024

      I’m so glad it was enjoyed!

      Reply

  • SBoyum
    March 11, 2024

    Excellent. I added thinly sliced green onion, and used shredded cheddar (all I had on hand), and will definitely make again. The dill and then sprinkle of lemon at the end were chef’s kiss.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 12, 2024

      Great to hear that you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Ellen Manalo
    February 15, 2024

    Hi Natasha! If I am going to use dried dill leaves how much should I use? Thanks in advance for replying <3

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 15, 2024

      Hi Ellen! A general rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs to 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (or the opposite).

      Reply

  • Gene
    January 4, 2024

    OMG, I just finished 2 of the four patties I made. I used a burger press, grabbed the wrong bag and had 11 oz of chicken. I had enough to make 5 though.

    The dill really set it off, I had ranch instead of lemon, however I will try that the next time. Very tasty and easy to make.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 4, 2024

      Hello Gene, lovely to hear that you enjoyed these chicken patties! Thanks for sharing about using ranch, that helpful.

      Reply

  • Kate
    December 8, 2023

    My boyfriend asks me to make this recipe all the time now! So delicious!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 8, 2023

      That’s wonderful, Kate! So glad it’s been a hit!

      Reply

  • Jennifer Tanner
    November 17, 2023

    Super quick and so delicious. Where has this recipe been all my life?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 17, 2023

      Thank you, Jennifer! I’m glad you came across this recipe!

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    November 1, 2023

    Hi. How would you reheat these? I’d like to make them for a party this weekend. Was thinking of frying them before we left. Do I put them in the oven at our friend’s house to heat-up or just hope I can keep them warm for the 25 minute drive! Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 1, 2023

      Hi Jennifer, I have provided reheating insructions in the recipe. Please check out this portion “How to Reheat Chicken Patties”

      Reply

  • Laura
    October 23, 2023

    Hello! Question… any suggestions on how to adapt this recipe using leftover shredded hawaiian chicken? Any suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated! Also,can I cook chicken patties in airfryer rather than stovetop?
    Thanks so much!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 23, 2023

      Hi Laura! I am not sure how the Hawaiian flavors will go with all of the other flavors in this, like dill. Feel free to adjust the spices per your preference. I have not tested them in the air fryer, but they reheat great in the air fryer.

      Reply

  • mshubes
    October 10, 2023

    Love the idea, but the recipe as written is very bland, dry, and tasteless. (I used parsley because husband doesn’t like dill). He wants me to play with this using the chicken and cheese, but wants something more flavorful and not dry. Goodbye flour and lemon and hello to who knows what at this point.

    But thank you for the recipe. I love the idea of something easy to do with leftover baked chicken! It just needs work to fit our Southern palate. LOL

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 10, 2023

      Hi, this has been a very popular recipe and I don’t think I’ve heard anyone describe it that way. Did you leave anything out or change anything in the recipe? It’s normally juicy and very flavorful.

      Reply

  • John Simone
    September 30, 2023

    Hi Natasha, I’m 65 years old and I have been a home cook since I was 15 years old. My goal was to improve on the recipes of the great chefs of the world and very few I have seceded but never Jacques P’epin. But nobody and I mean nobody can improve your chicken patty. And your husband is the luckiest man in the world next to me for having a great beautiful wife and most important a wonderful mother!! Keep it going, you are my go to kiddo 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 30, 2023

      Aw, thank you, John! I’m so glad you’re loving the recipes.

      Reply

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