These chicken patties are packed with flavor and crispy on the outside and mouthwateringly tender and juicy on the inside. They're delicious with a variety of sides!
You may also like my popular Ground Chicken Burgers.
The ultimate chicken patty recipe
Chicken patties are basically breaded chicken burgers without the bun, but sometimes it's nice to have something a little different for dinner, right? The fantastic thing about these easy chicken cakes is their versatility. Dip them into tartar sauce? Absolutely! Serve them with steamed veggies? Go for it.
This step-by-step guide uses a simple technique with real, wholesome ingredients to ensure that you'll never have dry chicken patties. They have a deliciously crispy exterior and inside they're remarkably juicy. These ain't your store-bought carboard tasting patties, that's for sure.
It's a really great (and underrated) ingredient, but it's sometimes hard to know what to make with ground chicken. This easy chicken patties recipe is an awesome way to change up the rotation!
What you'll need to make them
- Ground chicken - it's readily available and fairly inexpensive
- Breadcrumbs - panko breadcrumbs are what we're using here
- Egg - to bind together all the patty ingredients
- Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard - this dynamic duo adds a special savory flavor, making these the best chicken patties around! Don't skip 'em.
- Lemon juice - for a touch of brightness
- Garlic powder and onion powder - I'm all about depth of flavor, and these seasonings add another dimension to these patties
- Mayo - keeps the patties moist and juicy
- Parmesan cheese - who can resist adding a little bit of cheese?
- Parsley - using parsley adds a vibrant freshness
- Olive oil - for pan frying till they're golden brown!
Pro tip
- Panko are Japanese breadcrumbs. You can find them in the same part of the grocery store as regular breadcrumbs. I recommend using panko if possible because they make these patties light and crunchy, but regular breadcrumbs may be used if you're in a pinch.
How to make chicken patties
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Add the chicken patty ingredients to a fairly large prep bowl, and mix together gently with your hands.
Form the chicken mixture into 4 evenly sized patties so that they cook at the same rate. Coat them in the panko breadcrumbs. Fry them in two batches for 5-6 minutes per side or until they're cooked through.
Helpful tips for success
- I recommend making this recipe when you have a little extra time. It doesn't take too long, but it's best not to rush through forming the patties. A delicate touch is best, and ground chicken can be a little fussy to work with.
- I fry the patties in two batches so they're not crowding each other, they brown better, and they're easier to flip that way.
- Don't let the skillet get too hot. I used a cast iron skillet over medium heat on my gas stove, and I ended up reducing the heat to medium-low for the second batch since the skillet retains heat so much. You want to avoid the outside of the patties burning before the inside cooks.
Substitutions and variations
- The mayo helps keep the patties moist. You could add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil instead if you prefer (I haven't tested it, however).
- If you happen to have some other fresh herbs, you could absolutely chop them up and add them in along with the parsley.
- In the mood for fish? Try my Salmon Patties!
Tools for this recipe
- These are best when you grate your own parmesan cheese! I use my Microplane to grate it.
- I can't say it enough that this is a recipe that you want to use an instant read meat thermometer for. It's difficult to determine if ground chicken is cooked simply by looking at it. They're affordable and easy to use (it takes about 2 seconds to get a reading). It's much better than panicking and overcooking the patties!
What to serve with chicken patties
- I served these chicken patties with rice, Cajun remoulade sauce, and an arugula salad.
- These patties will go with practically anything that you'd normally serve with chicken. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Pesto Gnocchi, Easy Glazed Carrots, or Roasted Green Beans are all great options for sides.
- Or throw them in a bun with your favorite toppings. They make a great sandwich/burger!
Leftovers and storage
- Leftover cooked chicken patties can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, but keep in mind that the breading will soften up a bit.
- To reheat them, they'll crisp again in the air fryer. Try a couple of minutes/side at 350F. You can also microwave them in 30-second increments or heat in a skillet on low until they're warmed through.
Questions about these ground chicken patties? Ask me in the comments below!
Chicken Patties
These chicken patties are packed with flavor and crispy on the outside and mouthwateringly tender and juicy on the inside. They're delicious with a variety of sides!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs divided
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Add half the panko breadcrumbs and all remaining ingredients except for the olive oil to a fairly large bowl.
- Prepare 2 plates: one with the remaining panko breadcrumbs, and the other will be used to place the formed chicken patties on before you fry them.
- Using your hands, gently mix the patty ingredients together (mixture will be quite wet and a bit sticky).
- Divide the mixture into 4 parts (just do this within the same bowl). You'll be making 4 oval patties, one at a time, since they're quite delicate. Form the patty, gently roll it in the panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated, then place it on the second plate. Repeat until all 4 patties are made. If needed, add a little bit more panko to the plate if you're running out by the time you get to the last patty. Aim to make the patties roughly the same size/thickness and try not to make them too tall or they won't cook through properly.
- Add the olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Let the pan heat up for a couple of minutes.
- In two batches, cook the patties for 5-6 minutes/side or until they're cooked through. You may need to add more oil to the pan for the second batch. The second batch tends to cook faster, so you may need to turn the heat down a bit, especially if using cast iron so they don't burn on the outside before cooking through. Patties will continue to cook a little bit after you take them off the heat. Use an instant read thermometer to ensure they're 165F and safe to eat.
- Serve chicken patties immediately. I served them with homemade remoulade sauce, rice, and salad. The blog post includes more serving suggestions and tips.
Notes
- This recipe can go from undercooked to overcooked in a hurry, so I highly recommend using an instant read thermometer. They're very affordable and only take a few seconds to use!
- Troubleshooting tip: Don't let the skillet get too hot. Err on the side of a lower heat and cooking them slower vs. having the outside burn before the inside has cooked.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 28gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 824mgPotassium: 686mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 266IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 2mg
Kelly says
I made this tonight with asparagus and sweet potato as sides. These were so so good. I came across this recipe doing a Google search because I couldn't think of what to do with the ground chicken I had.
I was worried it would be bland but far from it!! These were so good my husband and I had seconds. I added diced bell pepper, carrot bits, and about a half teaspoon each of, cumin, hot Mexican chili powder, and cayenne. I also completely forgot the worsteshire sauce! They were not bland, they were addicting. I didn't measure the parm, I just grated it on in. I also grated some into the bread crumbs that I dipped the patties in.
Natasha says
I'm so glad you liked them! 🙂
Nancy says
Thank you for the recipe. My picky toddler loved these! Will be in regular rotation for sure. The only thing different I did was add crumbled feta and shredded carrots- because I have to somehow sneak those veggies in any way for a picky toddler!
Natasha says
I'm so glad they were a hit! 🙂
Pam says
Great recipe. Ground chicken can be quite bland but not this one. I did use seasoned panko and added poultry seasoning and minced onion. Love the crunch of the panko coating.
Natasha says
I'm so happy you enjoyed them, Pam!!
Jill says
This is a fast favorite for us! I have played with different flavorings (Greek style with dill, mint & feta; italian with sundried tomato & lots of basil; french with tarragon & sauteed shallot with white wine) Such a great way to stretch a pound of ground chicken and so satisfying with the crispy panko crust! Thank you so much for this!
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
You're very welcome, Jill! We're loving all those creative additions!!
Kiki says
Tasteless. Followed the recipe. Even added a touch more salt but overall the patties had zero flavor.
Natasha says
I'm not even sure how that's possible? Are you sure you made this recipe? There's 9 different seasoning ingredients in it, and I am not even counting any flavor in the breadcrumbs, egg, oil, or mayo.
Shauna says
Really delicious!! Great technique for a crunchy yet tender chicken pattie. Will add to our regular rotation.
Natasha says
That's fantastic!! Thanks for your review! 🙂
Jessica says
These were very good but I would use less mayonnaise next time.
Toby says
Is it possible to sub Greek yogurt or something similar in place of the Mayo? I am not a big fan of Mayo!
Natasha says
Hi Toby! So, I do have a tip under the "substitutions & variations" section of the blog post about subbing the mayo for olive oil. In this type of recipe the mayo is in there to keep the patties moist, so it's not like you'd know it's in there, but I get if you'd rather not buy a jar just for this recipe if it's not something you'd use elsewhere. Let me know if you try it with olive oil!
Jen says
Hi! These look so good. Do you think they could be sprayed with olive oil and cooked in the air fryer instead of sautéing? Can’t wait to try!
Natasha says
Hi Jen!! I think that should work just fine. You'd have to experiment a bit with timing as I've never made anything similar in my air fryer, but I see no reason it wouldn't work. Let me know - I am curious how it'll go! 🙂
Garciaszoo says
Excellent. Turned out perfect and for once everybody in my family agreed on something lol, that recipe is a keeper.
Natasha says
Haha isn't it great when that happens?! So glad it was a hit! 😀
Michelle says
These are so good! The only change I made was to use aïoli that I had made previously so my mayo already had garlic/salt in it. I also grated 1/4 onion into the mix for moisture but probably didn’t need to because of the mayo. We all enjoyed them and my 4 1/2 year old wanted the extra patty the next day-high praise indeed!
Natasha says
I'm so pleased you all enjoyed them!! 🙂 I love when the kiddos love my recipes too... that's fantastic. Thanks for letting me know!
Cindy says
I realized this weekend that my latest meal box had given me ground chicken instead of chicken breasts. My husband suggested making chicken patties which I had never made or eaten. I came across your recipe and decided to give it a try! Delicious! I did make gravy (which was part of original meal plan) and it added an extra layer of flavor. A keeper!
Natasha says
I'm so pleased you enjoyed these, Cindy!
Angelina says
What a nice & easy recipe, which I will definately make. I always buy 'uninhanced' chicken which I grind-up at home. I like to keep my family's sodium intake down to a minimum, so I plan to adjust the amount of Worchestershire Sauce & salt in this recipe. Other than the adjustments which I mentioned, these sound like super delicious Chicken Patties. I plan to serve them on whole wheat buns with whichever 'fixins' they choose, & Sweet Potato Fries on the side. Thanks, I know we'll enjoy.
Natasha says
Hi Angelina!! That sounds like a great plan! You're making me hungry now haha. Hope you enjoy them!