Croquettes with leftover roast chicken and cheddar
These Spanish-inspired croquettes make clever use of leftover roast chicken, mixing it with creamy béchamel and sharp cheddar for irresistible flavour. Golden, crisp, and satisfying, they’re ideal for tapas, appetisers, or weekday suppers. Each bite brings a perfect mix of crunch, savoury chicken, and melted cheese goodness.
Ingredients
- 75 g butter unsalted
- 80 g plain flour
- 650 ml whole milk warmed
- 200 g roast chicken shredded, leftover
- 70 g mature cheddar grated
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs large, beaten
- 120 g dried breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying light olive or sunflower
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a pan and stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook gently for a couple of minutes before adding the warm milk gradually, whisking until smooth and thick.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, grated cheddar, mustard powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything melts together into a creamy consistency.
- Spread the mixture into a dish, smooth the top, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil to prevent a skin forming. Cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight. Once set, shape into ovals, roll in flour, then dip in beaten egg and breadcrumbs.
- Fry at 180°C for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, or bake at 200°C for 20 minutes, turning halfway.
- For a lighter alternative, use the same method from air fryer croquettes with serrano ham and béchamel and cook at 190°C for about 10 minutes.
Notes
The chicken should be finely shredded, not chunky, so it mixes evenly with the sauce. If you’ve used herbs in your roast, they’ll add a subtle depth of flavour here. A bit of mustard powder sharpens everything nicely against the creamy cheese.
I usually use day-old breadcrumbs for the coating. They absorb less oil and give a crispier texture when fried. If you prefer, panko works beautifully too for a lighter crust.
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 12gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 1.6gVitamin A: 330IUCalcium: 100mgIron: 0.8mg
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