Rice and chicken croquettes: a great alternative for a complete and tasty second course, especially for children who are usually picky eaters. I often made this recipe for my nieces (now they are grown up), but I still make them, especially when I want to prepare a quick appetizer or have a get-together with friends. These croquettes are a lifesaver: I make them in advance and, when needed, I air-fry them. I assure you they are really good and ready in just a few minutes. Naturally, fried they have a different flavor and are many people’s favorite; I prefer them too. I usually make this dish when I have leftover roast chicken and want to recycle it. This is always the house where nothing is wasted.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Portions: 8 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 359.40 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 17.84 (g) of which sugars 1.10 (g)
- Proteins 9.00 (g)
- Fat 28.39 (g) of which saturated 5.68 (g)of which unsaturated 21.36 (g)
- Fibers 1.14 (g)
- Sodium 355.01 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 55 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 4.59 oz roasted chicken breast
- 1/2 cup rice
- 1/3 cup milk
- 50 slices breadcrumbs
- 0.7 oz grated Parmesan
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch pepper
- 7 oz peanut oil (for frying)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 oz breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 0.28 oz poppy seeds
Tools
- Chopper
- Bowl
- Pan
- Small Pot
- Tongs
- Wooden Spoon
Steps to Prepare Rice and Chicken Croquettes
Of course, if you double the ingredients, you will get double the croquettes, and if you want to make finger food, you can also prepare smaller croquettes. Add the milk and water to a small pot with a pinch of salt.
Put the rice in the milk. I used a mix of black and white rice, as that’s what I had at home.
You can use any rice. Cook the rice slowly in water and milk.
When the water and milk have been absorbed by the rice, it’s cooked in about 15 minutes.
For convenience, I bought thinly sliced chicken breast, although I make this recipe when I have leftover roast chicken.
Heat the pan and cook the chicken breast. I waited a moment and then cut it into small pieces.
I chopped the sliced chicken breast with parsley and grated breadcrumbs.
Very finely.
In the bowl with the Parmesan,
I added the chicken mixture and the chopped bread crumbs.
A good mix and adjust with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, the milk-cooked rice has cooled, and I add it to the bowl with the other ingredients (bread crumbs, chicken, and Parmesan).
Add the egg and
mix everything. Let it rest for a few minutes.
With this mixture, I prepare 8 croquettes.
Roll the rice and chicken croquettes in flour and
then pass them in beaten egg.
I combined the breadcrumbs with poppy seeds and mixed them together for a more delicious coating.
Roll the croquettes in breadcrumbs and poppy seeds.
Now the croquettes are ready: just need to fry, and today we fry.
Bring the oil to temperature and, in less than 10 minutes, fry all the rice and chicken croquettes, ready to be enjoyed hot.
No need to let them rest on absorbent paper: they are not greasy and you can see, they are dry and perfect.
Considering I’ve only used cooked ingredients to assemble the croquettes, there’s no need for long frying: just let them lightly brown.
With the holidays in mind, these croquettes are great to prepare in advance and freeze for use at the right time.
Rice and chicken croquettes are excellent hot and also very good warm.
Advice
I would also recommend shrimp balls for Christmas Eve, simply fabulous.
https://blog.giallozafferano.it/vaipinacucina/polpette-di-gamberoni/
https://blog.giallozafferano.it/vaipinacucina/polpette-di-gamberoni/
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What kind of rice can be used to prepare rice and chicken croquettes?
All types of rice are good to be used in croquettes. I chose one that I often use and had at home at that time, the black and white mix. I also made them with Arborio and parboiled rice and, I must say, always good.
