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.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Sofia Carrera
    September 11, 2020

    Hi, can I skip the dill or replace it with something else?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 11, 2020

      Hi Sofia, you can use 1-2 Tbsp of finely chopped parsley instead. It would still taste great if you skipped it also.

      Reply

  • Julie Landspurg
    September 8, 2020

    This recipe was super easy and so, so delicious!! Thank you for your easy-peasy recipes that are yummy too!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 8, 2020

      You’re welcome, Julie! I’m so glad you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Charity Smith
    September 8, 2020

    All I can say is WOW!! Truely amazing!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 8, 2020

      That’s just awesome Charity! Thank you for this wonderful feedback!

      Reply

  • Julia Casteel
    September 7, 2020

    Can these be prepped and frozen?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 7, 2020

      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.

      Reply

  • Tara
    September 6, 2020

    I made this recipe tonight, it was sooo delicious!!! I used halibut in place of the chicken and it was the bomb.com

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 7, 2020

      Love it yay! Thanks for your great feedback, we appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Dorothy Fredette
    September 6, 2020

    My 5 year old grandson is a picky eater, he gave me a thumbs up for these and said they were great, he ate 3 and his 10 yr old sister ate 4. We didn’t have any left overs. This recipe is a keeper!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 7, 2020

      That is so nice to know. The feeling of getting a thumbs up especially from picky eaters is just so amazing!

      Reply

  • Nancy
    September 6, 2020

    They look delicious. I can’t use the cheese. Do you think I should just skip or add something else?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 6, 2020

      Hi Nancy, I have not tried using something else to advise. The cheese helps hold everything together so I’m not sure how it would turn out without it.

      Reply

  • maryam
    September 6, 2020

    will try soon … thankyou for sharing such great recipe

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 6, 2020

      You’re welcome! I hope you love it.

      Reply

  • Gail Taylor
    September 5, 2020

    I tried these and they were absolutely delicious. I have given the recipe to my elderly Mom and she loves them. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoeyd that! Thank you for sharing that with me Gail!

      Reply

  • Margaret
    September 5, 2020

    Cook your chicken burger, turn out good. Thank you for sharing. Love your recipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      You’re welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Connie McKinley
    September 5, 2020

    I made your recipe my own! Chicken patties were by the book, but I simmered the chicken parts for a few minutes, made a roux and added the broth. Instant delicious gravy. Had one little dish of refrigerated mashed potatoes…added the gravy and a patty and I’m a happy girl!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      That’s so great Connie! I’m happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Sandra Gould
    September 5, 2020

    Sound great can’t wait for my husband to make them.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      I hope you love this recipe Sandra!

      Reply

  • Ashley
    September 5, 2020

    Looks so good! Could you make this in air fryer?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      Hi Ashley, I haven’t tested this in an air fryer to advise. If you experiment I would love to know how you like that.

      Reply

  • Karen
    September 5, 2020

    Natasha, these look great and I want to try making them today. My daughter asked if they can me made without frying them?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 7, 2020

      Hi Karen, it should work fine in the air fryer or in the oven as well. We always make them on the skillet so I don’t have exact baking times. If you experiment, please let me know how it goes. Also, when baking, I would suggest spraying lightly with cooking spray to get a golden crust.

      Reply

  • Marie Czarnecki
    September 5, 2020

    NATASHA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECIPE, I HAVEN’T BEEN ON MY PC FOR A WHILE AND POSSIBLELY MISSED SOME OF YOUR RECIPES BUT THIS IS 10 IN MY BOOKS. THANK YOU!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Marie! It sounds like you found a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Bead Solberg
    September 4, 2020

    These were supposed to be an appetizer, but they turned into the meal!! Y U M !!
    *the garlic aioli is awesome, but we ate them as is, w/just fresh lemon!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Momof5
    September 4, 2020

    Will be making these. Perfect recipe for nuggets minus all the extra yuckiness from processed.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 5, 2020

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Laura Reese
    September 4, 2020

    This meal was delicious! I always skip chicken nuggets. This will replace those in our home.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 4, 2020

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing that with me!

      Reply

  • Melissa
    September 4, 2020

    Yum! Delicious and great idea my family love it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 4, 2020

      I’m so glad to hear that you all loved the chicken patties. It’s a great go-to recipe to have up your sleeve to repurpose leftovers.

      Reply

  • Betsy
    September 4, 2020

    These are great alternative to chicken nuggets! I’ve used canned chicken before and it turns out absolutely fantastic. Great served with barbecue sauce, ketchup or whatever sauce the kiddos currently love.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 4, 2020

      Thank you for this wonderful feedback Betsy! I agree it is so so good!

      Reply

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