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    Home » Amish Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Croquettes Recipe

    07/12/2021 by Anna 19 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Dutch Chicken Croquettes

    What is a Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquette? Croquettes are usually thought of as being a small rounded mass of minced meat that has been dipped in egg and bread crumbs, then deep fat fried. And that is exactly what a PA Dutch chicken croquette is.

    These Amish chicken croquettes are made with cooked and chopped chicken that is mixed with a thick creamy sauce, shaped into balls, then dipped in eggs and coated in bread crumbs.

    Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes

    And to finish them off with the best and the most unhealthy part of all, they are deep-fried. But we all know that anything that's been deep-fried tastes amazing. Right?

    Comfort Food = Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes

    Some people would classify chicken croquettes as comfort food. So the question is, what puts certain food into the classification of comfort food?

    I believe that for many people comfort food is associated with their childhood or home-cooking. Often it is food with a higher carb content, and eating it provides a feeling of well-being.

    For some of us, certain tastes and smells bring back memories of home. They provide a feeling of nostalgia and give us a longing for the past, typically a happy or carefree time in our lives.

    Since starting my blog, I have been cooking and baking a lot more Amish food.

    It's food that I grew up with. So when I'm cooking, some of the smells and tastes make me miss my home, especially my mom.

    My Amish mom did a lot of cooking and baking, and she was a good cook. I have fond memories of working with her, and honestly, she was the most selfless person I've ever known.

    Creamy Chicken Croquettes

    To make Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes, you will need to start with the cream base. Unless, of course, you don't have any cooked chicken, then you will need to cook some chicken first. But this Amish chicken recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. Or you can also make these with leftover turkey.

    I chopped my cooked chicken in my trusty little Ninja chopper. Just pulse it a few times until it's nicely chopped. Yes, I use this chopper all the time, for everything. And I'm adding an affiliate link again, in case you decide you need one...

    chopped chicken

    To make the sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan or skillet. Stir in the flour. Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking to combine. Cook, stirring constantly until a smooth paste is formed. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings.

    cream sauce

    My Recommendations for making ground chicken croquettes

    I recommend letting the sauce cool before adding the chopped chicken. Once it's cool, mix the chicken and sauce and form the mixture into balls. I like to use a big cookie scoop.

    Refrigerate the balls for several hours or overnight before dipping them into the egg and crumbs.

    You don't have to do this. You can mix the warm sauce with the chicken, form it into balls, and immediately dip and fry them. It will just be a little messier job to get the balls dipped.

    And you can make the balls as big or little as you prefer. This Dutch croquette recipe can easily make nine to twelve balls.

    If you like a lot of creamy filling on the inside, stick with nine balls. If you prefer having more of the crispy fried texture, make at least twelve balls.

    chicken croquettes

    Deep Fat Fry, Pan Fry, or Air Fry?

    If you are watching your cholesterol and don't want to consume as much fried food, there are alternatives to deep-frying your Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes.

    I have not invested in an air-fryer yet. Maybe someday. I am told, however, that they are amazing. So go ahead and air-fry your croquettes. It would definitely be a healthier option.

    *Edited to add Air-Fryer Tip: I had someone tell me that they tried this recipe, and she cooked the croquettes in the middle of her air-fryer for 14 minutes at 350 degrees. She said they were perfect! 🙂 And I had a second person tell me that she air-fried them for 20 minutes at 370 degrees. So I guess it depends on how crispy you like them.

    You can also just pour a thin layer of oil into a skillet and pan-fry them. Keep turning the balls until all sides are browned.

    But the most common way of cooking chicken croquettes is the deep-frying method.

    You can use an electric deep fryer if you want. I have one of those, but honestly, I've never really been impressed with it. It takes a lot of oil to fill it, and it seems to have a hard time keeping the oil hot enough (maybe I need a better one).

    I often end up using a medium-large saucepan on my stovetop. Fill it about three-fourths full of cooking oil (I like to use peanut oil, but I use canola oil sometimes as well).

    Heat the oil to 325 - 350 degrees (use a cooking thermometer). As you are frying, you may have to adjust the burner to keep the temperature maintained between 325 and 350.

    Fry a few balls at a time until they are a nice golden brown. Remove the croquettes with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.

    *Caution: The oil is very hot, so please be careful!

    frying chicken croquettes

    Sauce for Chicken Croquettes

    Some people like to cook a cream sauce to serve with their croquettes, but we always ate ours with chicken gravy.

    After all, Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes are great served with mashed potatoes. So you can top both your mashed potatoes and croquettes with the gravy. Add some vegetables, and you've got an amazing home-cooked Amish meal.

    More Amish recipes...

    You can find a simple Amish Mashed Potatoes Recipe here.

    Amish Meatloaf with Oats Recipe

    Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling Recipe

    Rice Krispie Chicken Recipe

    Amish Wedding Chicken and Stuffing (Roast) Recipe

    PA Dutch chicken croquettes

    Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Croquettes Recipe

    Chicken croquettes are made with cooked chopped chicken that is mixed with a thick creamy sauce and rolled into balls. Dip the balls into egg and crumbs and deep fat fry. They are very delicious served with mashed potatoes and gravy!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    cool 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Amish
    Servings 9 servings
    Calories 348 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 c. cooked chicken, ground (leftover chicken or turkey works great)
    • 2 Tbs. butter
    • 2 Tbs. flour
    • 1 c. half and half (you can substitute with milk)
    • 3/4 tsp. salt
    • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. minced onion flakes
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 - 1 c. panko or regular bread crumbs
    • oil, for frying

    Instructions
     

    • To make the sauce, melt the butter and stir in the flour. Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking as you are pouring.
      2 Tbs. butter, 2 Tbs. flour, 1 c. half and half
    • Cook, and stir constantly until a smooth paste is formed. Remove from the heat and add the seasonings. Cool.
      3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. minced onion flakes
    • Mix the chopped chicken with the creamy sauce. Form into 9 - 12 balls and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
      2 c. cooked chicken, ground
    • Dip the balls into beaten eggs, then roll into bread crumbs.
      2 eggs, 1/2 - 1 c. panko or regular bread crumbs
    • Deep fat fry several croquettes at a time, with your oil between 325° and 350°, for several minutes until they are golden brown.
    • Remove the croquettes with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
    • Croquettes are delicious served with chicken gravy and mashed potatoes.

    Notes

    If you are in a hurry to make the croquettes, you do not have to chill the sauce or the croquettes. You can mix, dip, and fry them right away. They are just messier to work with when they are warm.
    If you prefer, you can pan-fry your croquettes instead of deep-frying them. Or air-fry them (instructions are included in the post above.)
    Be very careful when frying, the oil is HOT!
     * Nutrition facts are approx. estimates.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1large croquetteCalories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 21gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 390mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 169IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Creamy chicken croquettes, Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Visit my YouTube channel at My Amish Heritage

    More Main Dish Recipes

    • Amish Chicken Breasts Recipe
    • Amish Chicken and Rice Casserole
    • Amish Beef Barley Soup Recipe
    • Hearty Hamburger Soup (Amish Soup Recipe)

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carol

      August 11, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and easy thank you

      Reply
      • Anna

        August 11, 2022 at 9:05 pm

        Glad you're enjoying them!

        Reply
    2. Jennette

      May 08, 2022 at 10:37 am

      These look delicious!!!
      Any pointers on how to air fry these in place of pan frying? I would love to try that process instead. Had anyone else tried?

      Reply
      • Anna

        May 09, 2022 at 8:56 am

        I actually have instructions to air-fry within the post (given to me by a reader). It's in the section "Deep-fry, pan-fry, or air-fry".

        Reply
      • Lupe

        August 07, 2022 at 9:16 pm

        I did air fry at 350 for 20 minutes turning halfway. Turn out great!

        Reply
    3. Jeanine Hamilton

      January 04, 2022 at 9:35 am

      what are the ingredients for the sauce??

      Reply
      • Anna

        January 04, 2022 at 11:03 am

        The recipe for the sauce that gets mixed with the chicken is on my page. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

        Reply
    4. Sara

      November 28, 2021 at 7:00 am

      5 stars
      Made these with leftover turkey and they came out so good.

      Reply
      • Anna

        November 28, 2021 at 1:25 pm

        Yay!

        Reply
        • Danielle Martin

          November 28, 2022 at 4:10 pm

          Hello, these sound amazing. How would I freeze them?

          Reply
          • Anna

            November 29, 2022 at 1:06 pm

            I have never tried it, but it should be fine to freeze them in airtight container.

            Reply
    5. Kim

      November 26, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      Y mom used to make these.Looks like I will make it a regular. habit of making them also works well with rotisserie chicken,ground up.

      Reply
    6. Sherrie C.

      October 25, 2021 at 6:39 pm

      Instructions unclear where or when you add 3/4 tsp. salt
      1/4 tsp. black pepper
      1/2 tsp. garlic powder
      1 tsp. minced onion flakes

      Reply
      • Anna

        October 26, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        I'm sorry, I guess I missed that step in the recipe card. Add the seasonings to the thickened sauce.

        Reply
    7. Ellen in Oregon

      August 21, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      Back in the 60's when I was a kid my mom would make croquettes from chicken, ham and turkey. They were a treat when she made them and I have no tasted them in 40 years, but your post inspired me to make them using your recipes. They were easy & delicious. I did let them chill overnight & that made them very easy to shape and bread. I did make a white cream sauce with mushrooms because that is what my mom served with them. The meal was a big success and everyone love them. Thank you for posting this retro-recipe. I will be making it often in the future.

      Reply
      • Anna

        August 21, 2021 at 9:33 pm

        You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed them.

        Reply
    8. Sharonmorgan

      July 20, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      I made these just as the recipe said , my family loved them
      It will definitely be a regular meal in our house
      I deep fried mine to golden brown ; put chicken gravy over them
      Served with pan fried potatoes and corn on the cob

      Reply
      • Anna

        July 21, 2021 at 8:29 am

        So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you!

        Reply
      • Anna

        August 05, 2021 at 8:57 pm

        🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I’m Anna. I grew up Amish in the Lancaster County, Pa. area (the heart of Amish country). I currently live in a small rural town in Missouri and am a homeschool mom to 4 great kids. Some of my favorite things to do are spending time in the kitchen, (baking and preparing meals from scratch), gardening, and spending time with my lovely family.

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