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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! 🙂
Great recipe! I ground my chicken up, add fresh garlic and onion puréed and they so tasty!
I’ve made this plenty of times. Please let me know if I can use shredded parmesan cheese instead. Thank you
I have not tested Parmesan cheese. Mozzarella cheese melts differently so I’m not sure how it will affect the recipe. Let us know how they turn out if you experiment.
I have made these several times. I have done them by the original recipe here & I have made them & added some diced up peppers. I used Mexibelle, Cajun & Gypsy peppers. It give it a bit more of a zing. They are a great quick meal. Served with rice or potatoes & a small salad. Ive also made the fritters then cut them up into medium chunks & put in a large mixed salad from veggies Ive home grown than choice of dressings. They are also just as good left over. Ive heated them & made fritter sandwiches. A very versatile recipe.
Thank you for sharing that with us, Sharon!
Can they be made in an air fryer?
If yes, temperature and time.
Hi KT! I haven’t tested this yet with an air fryer to advise. If you want to experiment, please share with us how it goes.
These are amazing! And we are not a Mayo family either, but you can’t taste it, the Mayo flavor cooks out. Soooo good!
Hi Melissa! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Hi,
I plan on making this tonight, but can I use Swiss? I only have bagged mozzarella that is made with cream cheese and worry it won’t work!
Thanks!
Hi Jess. I think that would work fine. Let us know how it turns out.
Delicious! Even my 17 year old son who doesn’t like cheese had several. They turned out beautifully. Wish I could share a photo.
So glad you love this recipe! You can share a photo on our Facebook page or group so others can see your creation too.
These are mighty fine. They’ve been our family fave and regularly on our menu. To make it easier and a tad bit more healthy I bake them in the oven on parchment paper at 425F. Taste just as great, saves time with frying and no oil to clean up. These also go well with Chick-fil-A sauce. Thank you Natasha. Your recipes never disappoint.
You’re so very welcome! Thank you! 🙂
They look delicious. Can I substitute parsley instead of dill ?
That is absolutely fine!
How far in advance can you make these? I would like to pre make the mix a take them camping.
Hi Jocelyn. I don’t premake the batter. I just cook the whole batch. They are even good cold but can easily be reheated. They are good for a few days.
I made this delishious recipe the other day I substituted fresh basil and dried oregano instead of the dill it was so yummy My hubby ate 4 fritters it is going to be a regular meal at our house …thank you!
You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Maryanne.
Hi, wondering what flavor dipping sauce would go well with these?
Hi Denise, Everyone loves these along with our aioli sauce.
We love them with this simple garlic aioli dip. You can find the recipe here.
https://natashaskitchen.com/crisp-zucchini-bites-with-aioli-dip/
Hi Natasha. How can I fry these in my air fryer? I saw someone asked in May. I was wondering if you have had a chance to test them in an air fryer. Thanks
Hi Cindy, I haven’t tested this yet with an air fryer to advise. If you want to experiment, please share with us how it goes.
I just made these in my air fryer and they turned out great! Used a 1/4 cup scoop, and cooked at 365 for 5 minutes, then flipped and cooked for another 2-3 minutes. I did not add any oil.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us!
Hi Natasha!! Can you substitute a different cheese if you don’t have mozz?
Hi Emily, Colby Jack and Mexican cheese work with this recipe. I hope you love it!
Thank you for your expeditious reply!! I just used taco blend shredded cheese. I love your recipes and videos. You have a great sense of humor. I enjoy your fun gestures. I’ll let you know soon how it turned out!! Keep up the great work!!
You’re welcome Emily! And thank you for your lovely comment.
How would I adapt this recipe to use in a ninja air fryer? Have had super results making these per the directions but have a new toy to play with and wondering how to make them in it. THanks for all the great recipes, reviews and hints.
Hi Donna, I haven’t tested this yet with an air fryer to advise. If you want to experiment, please share with us how it goes.
These are so good. Made them several times and always a big hit!
Thank you for your recipe.
That’s so great, Constance! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Can you bake these?
Hi Judy, one of our readers reported great results baking these. She wrote: ” I baked for 20 minuets and broiled for about a minute on each side to give it that crispy outside.”
Can you freeze this before cooking
Hi Connie, I think they would freeze fine after they are cooked but I’m not sure about freezing the raw batter. I just haven’t tested it to say for sure.
Hello, I only have dill seed. Is that suitable to add? And how much? Also, if I were to add garlic powder, how much do I add?
Hi Eileen, I haven’t tried using seeds yet to advise. As for the garlic powder, you can just a little to the mix to taste.
This is one from my favourite from your site 🙂 Easy to make, every family member likes them and they taste amazing. We love them with a nice salad with our self made family dressing 🙂
Hello Marco, thank you for your great feedback and review! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe.