Monday, January 17, 2011

Chicken Croquettes & Rotisserrie Chicken to the Rescue!

Rotisserie chicken.  I usually buy one every week.  Most weeks we have quite a bit of leftover chicken.  Over the years I've made lots of things with that leftover chicken: nachos, salads, chicken salad, soup, sandwiches, pizza, risotto, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, potpie, casseroles, pasta, and macaroni and cheese. I've literally beat all those options to death.  I was ready for a new take on leftover chicken.

During a recent trip to the library, I picked up this book, Rotisserie Chickens to the Rescue! by Carla Fitzgerald Williams.  The book has 125 simple recipes for already-roasted chickens, but does not have any pictures.  Saying that, it is a great source for fun and unique ways to use up that leftover chicken.  Not to mention, the book is available on Amazon for mere pennies, pretty much the cost of shipping(I have had great success buying used cookbooks from Amazon).  Thanks to this book, I now have a few new methods/recipes for using up that leftover chicken.

Last week I tried Chicken Croquettes for the first time and they were a big hit!  I love the possibilities with the chicken croquette.  You can dress them up and make them fancy or serve them just as is.  Either way they are delicious.  I love that you can make them your own by changing out the seasonings. I also like that they have a lot of serving options: on their own with a dipping sauce, on top of a salad, as a patty on a bun, mini-sized in little lettuce cups...you get the idea.  Lots of possibilities. I'm definitely going to be having fun testing different variations.
Chicken Croquettes
Adapted from Rotisserie Chickens to the Rescue!
Makes 4 servings
Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped roasted red pepper
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, drained
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
Squirt of freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Pinch of cayenne (optional)

Croquettes:
2-1/2 cups small shreds rotisserie chicken, skin removed (some dark meat preferred)
1/2 bunch green onions, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup) *I subbed one finely chopped jalapeno
3 tablespoons mayo
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
2 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
20 individual soda crackers  (I used about 1/2 to 1/3 cup breadcrumbs)
1 egg, beaten with a pinch of salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

Make the sauce: Stir the ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.

Make the Croquettes: Toss together the chicken, onion, bell pepper (or jalapeno), mayo, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic in a medium bowl.  Crumble the crackers over the mixture, making fine crumbs (or pour in the breadcrumbs).  Pour the egg over all and toss well to combine.  Use a 1/3 cup measure to scoop up the mixture.  Form oval croquettes (I just made patties) about 3 inches long by 3/4-inch high by putting the mixture between the palms of your hands and pressing down firmly but gently.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add the croquettes and cook until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes.  Turn and cook until the other side turns a light brown and the tops of the croquettes are firm to the touch, about 2 minutes.  Press down gently with the spatula and add more oil as needed.  Serve immediately with a dollop of sauce.

Notes/Results:  I really like the concept of a chicken croquette and see myself making these a lot.  I love the crispy exterior and the meaty interior.  I served mine with a lightly dressed couscous salad and it was a big hit.  A winner recipe for sure.

What do you like to do with your leftover chicken?  I'd love to hear!

23 comments:

  1. You get the coolest cookbooks! Leftover chicken is a saving grace in our house. For starters, I make tons of soup from the leftovers AND I use the bones and fat (and some meat) to make homemade chicken broth (using a crock pot)AND chciken pot pie...yum!

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  2. I'm not sure if I've ever even had a croquette, but I'm intrigued! This looks delightful :)

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  3. Kim, I buy rotisserie chickens a lot too. I use them as you do, soup, pizza, chicken salad, enchiladas, etc. They're so convenient. Chicken croquettes are something I've never had. They sound somewhat like a chicken burger, a very flavourful chicken burger (which is a good thing, I love chicken burgers)!!

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  4. I'm a big fan of rotisserie chicken. I love the versatility of them. You can make life easier and tastier with them.

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  5. I also buy a rotisserie chicken once a week and this sounds wonderful!

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  6. I've never roasted a chicken before (which is why I chose the roasted chicken recipe for Symon Sundays!) but that cookbook definitely sounds super useful for when and if I ever start. These croquettes sound delicious! Love how versatile they are!

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  7. Fun posting, Kim! We never have much leftover chicken! I think having college-age students and college student's boyfriend around a lot pretty much takes care of dinner. I love the idea of the croquettes. If I ever have some leftover chicken... who doesn't love a flavor-filled croquette?

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  8. What a fun and different way to use leftover chicken. I can see my family loving these!

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  9. this sounds wonderful!!! With all the chicken my household eats....I'm always in need of new ideas and recipes. Thank you so much for sharing this. I will be keeping this recipe aside for future use :)

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  10. I've been waiting for this post, Kim. I love croquettes, both chicken and ham. I also buy as many books--cookbooks, books on quilting and embroidery--on Amazon. The used books are so inexpensive and are in great shape. Wonderful recipe. Now you have to try to make a crockpot rotisserie chicken.

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  11. I buy lots of used books on Amazon! I seldom have left over chicken cuz hubby loves it in sandwiches for lunch! These croquettes sound delish ;)

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  12. I wish my library carried the assortment of cookbooks that you seem to find. I never buy rotisserie chicken. I don't know why. I need to rethink it. These look delish! Sorry I've been a bit absent in visiting you. I'm going to try and pop in more often, because you always make such great recipes.

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  13. They sound great, and I think if you make it a little bigger, it could be a really cool alternative to a burger :)
    *kisses* HH

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  14. ooooh, i need to find that book! we always have leftover chicken too. i love the look of these croquettes, definitely a fun way to use it up, and the sauce looks amazing too!

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  15. What a great recipe! And, what a good idea for a book! I'll need to find a copy!

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  16. Chicken croquettes that is a really creative idea. It's different. I like it. I really like photos in my cookbook too. I think its because I often need a visual.

    As always, awesome.

    Velva

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  17. One of my favorite diners makes the best chicken croquettes - I would love to be able to recreate them! I have never seen Old Bay paired with chicken - interesting. They look delicious Kim and I like the sound of the sauce too! I make chicken tacos or burritos with leftovers or poppy seed chicken salad.

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  18. Kim, So true: Rotisserie chickens are a LIFE SAVER! And such a bargain at $4.99 at Costco where I can quickly pick them up on the way home from campus! I'm like you on making things such as tacos, wraps, chicken salad, toppings for salads, gosh the list can go on forever. Those croquettes look scrumptious Kim! Great cookbook tip too! I think I'm addicted to cookbooks! LOL!

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  19. Yum! And great idea for the theme for a book - would be perfect for students.

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  20. I dig chicken croquettes. Crab too.
    My fav thing to do with rotisserie or leftover chicken is to use it in labor intensive dishes like enchiladas or chicken lasagna. Helps cut down on some of the work!

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  21. That sounds like a fun and handy cookbook. ;-) The croquettes look delicious--especially alongside the couscous.

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  22. For a second I thought you were playing a lawn game with chicken (croquet), ha ha.

    I like your ideas for the different ways to use this dish. Smart thinkin'

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