Weeknight Chicken Croquettes Recipes

Steps:

• For the croquette batter: In a heavy pot, heat the milk and chicken stock on the stove and then add the white pepper, fresh parsley and salt, if needed. In a separate heavy pot, melt the butter and add the minced celery. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes. Pour in the hot milk and stock and stir until thickened and smooth. Fold in the chicken meat and allow to cool.
• Breading the croquettes: Shape 3-ounce portions of croquette batter in the shape of a cone and place on a tray lined with waxed paper. Next make an egg wash from the milk, eggs and salt. Dip the croquettes in the egg wash and then into the flour and let stand a few minutes. Finish breading by dipping the croquettes back in the egg wash and then rolling in breadcrumbs.
• For the chicken gravy: Melt the butter in a 1- or 2-quart saucepan, and stir in the flour. Pour in the stock and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook for 20 minutes. Add the fresh parsley, white pepper and salt, to taste, (if fresh stock was used).
• Cooking the croquettes: Fry the croquettes in a pot with salad oil or liquid shortening, heated to 350 degrees F, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well and blot on paper towels. Place on a bed of mashed potatoes and top each croquette with chicken gravy.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse and dry chicken breasts. Place on a baking sheet and season with salt, black pepper, cayenne, and dry thyme leaves. Roast until just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Melt butter in a saute pan on top of the stove. Add celery and onion, with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add flour and stir to coat vegetables well. Cook, stirring often, for about 3 more minutes. Slowly pour in milk, while stirring or whisking. After milk is incorporated, simmer at least 10 minutes.
• Cut reserved chicken in large pieces, place in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Place in a bowl and pour sauce with vegetables over chicken. Add parsley and mix thoroughly. Make a test croquette by rolling a small amount in bread crumbs, then deep-frying. Adjust seasoning, to taste, with white pepper.
• Form chicken mixture into balls, then roll in bread crumbs. Refrigerate and let the croquettes set for at least 1 hour before deep-frying in 325 degree F oil until golden brown. Drain and serve with Creamed Mushrooms.
• Heat butter in a saute pan on top of the stove. Add onion with a pinch of salt, pepper, and dry thyme leaves and cook until transparent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and scallions and cook 1 minute more. Splash with a bit of sherry and cook until evaporated. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk. Add mushrooms and cook about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add parsley. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Combine 1/3 cup of the soup, chicken, bread crumbs, celery, onion and 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning. Mix well and shape into 6 croquettes (I make patties). Chill in refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• Remove croquettes from refrigerator and roll in additional bread crumbs. In a large skillet, melt 1 to 2 tablespoons shortening. Brown the croquettes in the shortening. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the remaining soup, milk and 1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning. Heat over low, stirring occasionally. Serve sauce over croquettes.

Steps:

• Remove the meat from the chicken. Discard the skin and bones.
• Chop the chicken meat finely. There should be about two and onehalf cups. Set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until onion is wilted and sprinkle with the six tablespoons of flour. Stir with a wire whisk. Add the chicken broth and cream, stirring vigorously with the whisk. Add the yolks and cook about 30 seconds, stirring. Add the cayenne, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste and one-half cup of the bread crumbs.
• Combine the chopped chicken meat with the sauce. Blend well. Set aside until thoroughly cooled.
• Divide the mixture into 16 equal portions. Shape each portion into a round. Roll the rounds in the remaining one-quarter cup of flour. Shape the rounds into any desired shape: pyramids, cylinders, spheres, or flat cakes.
• Beat the egg with the water. Roll the croquettes in the egg mixture and then in the remaining bread crumbs. Press to help crumbs adhere. Shake off excess.
• Heat the oil for deep frying. Add the croquettes a few at a time and cook about four minutes or until golden brown. Serve, if desired, with mushroom sauce.

Steps:

• Mix well the chicken, soup, stuffing mix, egg, onion, and celery. Refrigerate 3 hours minimum.
• Create a 'log' shape from about 3/4 cup of mixture. Gently drop onto the counter to flatten the bottom to form a traditional 'cone' shape. (about 3" high, 2" in diameter), or form patties for a simpler method.
• Roll croquettes in bread crumbs. (At this point, you can freeze them for up to two months or cover them and place them in the fridge overnight to serve the following day. Just bring them to room temperature when ready to use if frying them).
• Fry in about 1/4" of oil in skillet over medium heat turning occasionally till golden brown on all sides and bottom, about 10-15 minutes. For a healthier version, they can be baked at 350F for about 25-30 min (from the freezer, bake 45-50 minutes). Keep warm in 200 degree oven.
• MAKE THE SAUCE: Meanwhile, In a small saucepan, stir the remaining can of soup with milk, stirring until warmed and creamy.
• Pour over croquettes or serve sauce on the side. Traditionally served atop a mound of mashed potatoes for a wonderful presentation.