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Everyone that tries these cheesy chicken fritters, loves them! They are easy to prepare and very flavorful. The cheese in the batter forms part of the outer crust and a creates an irresistible cheese pull as you bite into these yummy chicken fritters. Marinating the chicken makes it incredibly tender and juicy.
You’ll want to marinate 2 hours or overnight; so there’s a make-ahead option! I served them with a really simple garlic aioli dip but these fritters are still super yummy without the dip (see, I highlighted all of the really important points for my speed readers).
This recipe is really easy to double if you’re feeding a crowd. One of my readers, Nadia, shared these”Kotleti Nezhnost” or Tender Kotleti with us; a recipe her children and family love.
These really are super tender! Nadia used cornstarch (gluten free option) instead of flour but I tested it both ways and I didn’t notice a difference in taste or flavor so you can really use either one for your batter.
Oh and I added some fresh dill which which added great flavor. Somehow dill makes everything taste more Ukrainian. I’d love to claim it as a Ukrainian herb but I’d get hit with a firestorm in the comment section so I won’t go there. lol.
Watch How to Make Tender Chicken Fritters:
Ingredients for Tender Chicken Fritters:
1 1/2 lbs (3 large) chicken breasts
2 large eggs
5 Tbsp (about 1/3 cup) mayonnaise
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch or potato starch for gluten free option)
4 oz (1 1/3 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Extra light olive oil, or any high heat cooking oil to sautee

How to Make Chicken Fritters (Kotleti):
1. Using a sharp knife, dice chicken into 1/3″ to 1/2″ thick pieces and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl combine batter ingredients: 2 eggs, 5 Tbsp mayo, 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/3 cups mozzarella, 1 1/2 Tbsp dill, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Stir until well combined. Stir in diced chicken, cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, or overnight.

3. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp oil and when oil is hot, add the chicken mixture a heaping tablespoon at a time (I used a flat ice cream scoop for uniform sizes).
Pat down the fritters with the back of your spoon to flatten them slightly. Saute uncovered 3 – 4 min on the first side then flip and saute uncovered 3 min on the second side or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Repeat with remaining fritters. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.


Serve these chicken fritters with garlic aioli dip if desired and enjoy!! They’d also be great as mini sandwiches (sliders).

Tender Chicken Fritters

Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs 3 large chicken breasts
- 2 large eggs
- 5 Tbsp about 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, or cornstarch or potato starch
- 4 oz 1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- Extra light olive oil, or any high heat oil to sautee
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, dice chicken into 1/3" to 1/2" thick pieces and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine batter ingredients: 2 eggs, 5 Tbsp mayo, 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/3 cups mozzarella, 1 1/2 Tbsp dill, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Stir until well combined. Stir in diced chicken, cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Heat a large non-stick pan over med heat. Add 2 Tbsp oil and when hot, add the chicken mixture a heaping Tbsp at a time (I used a flat ice cream scoop). Pat down fritters with the back of your spoon to flatten slightly. Saute uncovered 3 - 4 min on the first side then flip and saute uncovered 3 min on the second side or until golden brown and fully cooked. Repeat with remaining fritters. Remove to a paper towel lined dish.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Nadia, thank you so much for sharing this new family favorite with us! 🙂




Hi–love your recipes and we use then frequently in our cooking classes for special needs students. Would it be possible to get nutrition information?
Hi Ingrid, that is a beautiful thing you are doing. Bless you! I added a nutrition label. Those counts are per fritter.
Love your recipes and videos! All of them! What are your thoughts on subbing mayo for perhaps Greek yogurt? Thoughts on that or another suggestion! We’re just not a mayo family. Looks so yummy!
Hi Kathy, I’ve had readers substitute the mayo with low-fat greek yogurt with great results as well. I hope this helps. I’m happy you’re enjoying our recipes.
hi sounds great been trying alot of recipes of yours i dont ike mayo anything i can substitute it with in this recipe they all look great ones i tried were great
Hi Dawn, you sure can. I’ve had readers substitute the mayo with low-fat greek yogurt with great results as well. I hope this helps.
Love these! If I use 2.5 lb of chicken (instead of 1.5 lb), how should I adjust the other ingredients? Thank you! Love your recipes!
Hi Joni, I recommend using the recipe slider on the printable recipe card. Simply slide the serving size number to reflect the pounds of your chicken.
I’ve made these three times now since I found your recipe. Everyone loves these along with aioli sauce. I made one modification, I use chives instead of dill. Thank you for all of these great recipes.
Sounds great, Matt. I haven’t tried using chives but thanks for sharing that with us!
Can I make with almond four to make this low carb?
Hi Samantha, Yes! Many of our readers have reported using almond flour with great results.
Hi Natasha, I want to make the Chicken Fritters, but I have one question. We do not eat cheese, any kind of cheese. Can I make the outer without the cheese?
Thank you.
Hi Christine, You can omit the cheese altogether. My Mom frequently makes it without the cheese with great results.
I love these. This is my 2nd time making them.
I like to add green onion and jalapeno pepper. And I like using cornstarch instead of flour, it also helps to make the chicken juicer! And its better to marinate all night.
And they’re even better with tzatziki sauce.
Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome, Sam! Thank you for sharing those changes with us!
Hi there ,I so much enjoy your recipes ,this one is no exception !I will have to try . I love watching your videos and your pretty bubbly personality.
Aww that’s the best! Thank you for your thoughtful review!
Natasha,
Your site has been such an awesome go-to for me and my family. I’ve made more things from your site than any other – except maybe Alton Brown So thank you. Thank you for the kulich recipe from which I gifted my neighbors this Easter – every single person loved it (I did add the zest of 2 oranges and really liked the results)
I wanted to share with you one thing about these fritters and ask one question, and thank you in advance for any reply
My question is: Have you tried adding any vegetables in these fritters? I’ve thought about maybe adding grated carrots, maybe riced cauliflower, possibly … corn, if some of the water is pressed out? I’m trying to make these a little bit more healthy, because my kids don’t eat enough veggies, but they love these so much I feel like I can use them as a vehicle for health – hah!
The thing I wanted to tell you about these that I have changed is that I’m using Avacado mayonnaise to replace 2/3rds of the mayo in the recipe, and the difference in flavor is really negligible. I was the only one who noticed it, and I already knew.
Thank you so much for the time and effort you put in to this website – your content and presentation is so good.
Hi Marina, I haven’t tried adding veggies to the fritters but it sounds like a great idea. Let me know if you experiment. That’s great to know about the avocado mayo.
Is it better to refrigerate batter or cook fritters if you don’t use it all?
Hi Diane, I honestly just cook them and get it over with and cook the whole batch. They are even good cold but can easily be reheated. You can also keep the mixture uncooked in the fridge for a bit before cooking.
Can i use chicken thighs instead of breast for this recipe??
We prefer the breast part but that should work too. Enjoy!
Do you think I could cook these in the air fryer.
Hi Linda, I haven’t tested this yet with an air fryer to advise. If you want to do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
This recipe and the shrimp one have become staples in our house. I add green onion and a little onion powder and garlic powder to the mix and it’s delicious! I also add lemon rind and a little dried chives to the aioli. My husband loves this meal!
Nice to know that, Anissa. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Can you use chicken mince instead of breasts?
Hi Heather, I haven’t tested that but that should work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Is it required to keep it refrigerated for 2 hours? What is the purpose of this?
I just want to get it done! Lol
Hi Vera, I’ve found by leaving them refrigerated overnight holds them up much better. Let me know how it goes if you decide to give it a try!
Hello, can I make them in the conventional oven? And if I can at what temperature I’m in Colorado and time thank you!!
Hi Ericka, I have not tested that in a conventional oven. You may need to alter the temperature and time. I recommend watching it closely if you try & If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe. I’m sure our readers in similar situations will find it helpful.
Natasha, what can be used instead of mayo? Thank you
Hi Marina, the mayo helps to make the fritters more tender and flavorful and I haven’t tested it with any substitutions so I can only guess if something else would work as well. You might try sour cream and a little olive oil, but again, I haven’t tested that substitution myself.
I was looking for a chicken recipe quick and easy for my son to have after school with the potato soup I made. This recipe is OUTSTANDING, so EASY, and so QUICK!!! My son absolutely loves it and so do we! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. Thanks!
That is the best when kids love what we moms make. That’s so great!
Love, love, love, love this recipe. The chicken could not be more tender. I am definitely a dill lover so I added more and as stated above…loved it!
Thank you for all of your great recipes
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Lynne!