Description

These easy Chicken Patties, also known as Chicken Cakes, combine shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, fresh herbs, and a crispy panko crust for a flavorful, quick-to-make meal. They are sautéed to golden perfection and served with a fresh squeeze of lemon, perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Patty Mixture

4 cups shredded chicken (from 2 large chicken breasts, approx. 16 oz by weight)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp fresh dill (finely chopped) or 1 Tbsp parsley
3/4 tsp salt (divided, 1/2 tsp for mixture, 1/4 tsp for finishing)
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 tsp lemon zest
1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Coating and Cooking

1 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp olive oil (divided; 1 Tbsp per batch for sautéing)
Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, mayonnaise, flour, fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and lemon zest until fully combined and smooth.
Combine chicken and cheese: Add the shredded chicken and shredded mozzarella cheese to the batter. Stir well to ensure the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated with the mixture.
Chill the mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the mixture firm up, making it easier to shape into patties.
Form and coat patties: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, portion the chilled mixture into 12-15 equal amounts. Shape each portion into a 1/2-inch thick patty. Dip both sides of each patty into Panko bread crumbs to coat evenly.
Sauté the patties: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place half of the patties into the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Add more oil as needed and repeat the process with the remaining patties.
Season and serve: Once cooked, remove the patties from heat. Immediately sprinkle with the remaining salt and squeeze fresh lemon juice over them. Serve warm with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Make sure to finely shred the chicken for the best texture.
Chilling the mixture is essential to help the patties hold their shape during cooking.
You can substitute dill with parsley for a different herb flavor.
Use fresh lemon zest and juice to brighten the flavor.
These patties reheat well in a skillet or oven.
Adjust salt according to your taste preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-16 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken patties, chicken cakes, easy chicken recipe, mozzarella chicken cakes, savory chicken patties, pan-fried chicken cakes