Shortcut Chicken Patties Recipe Is a High-Protein Budget Dinner (20 Minutes, 8 Ingredients) by Donna John

After winter storms and hurricanes, my pantry gets full of items that I normally don't buy. A couple cans of chunk chicken breast was one of the shelf-stable meats that I wasn't sure what to do with. That is, until I found this crispy chicken patties recipe. This is one delicious budget high-protein dinner.

The simple pan-fried chicken patties are made with canned chicken, an egg, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme and breadcrumbs. The flavorful ingredients will make you forget you're using canned chicken. The ingredients are mixed together, formed into patties and pan-fried until crispy and golden brown.

Photo credit (all photos): Donna John

Variations: Other ingredients like capers, grated cheese, minced onion, chopped jalapenos, crushed red pepper flakes, hot sauce or fresh herbs could be added to make this recipe your own.

This 20-minute  shortcut recipe will make kids and adults happy, and is perfect for busy school nights. Plus you get the health benefits of protein in every bite.

Serve this budget recipe chicken recipe for dinner with your favorite side dishes.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 20 ounces (2 cans) premium white chunk chicken breast
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/4 cups dry breadcrumbs or fresh breadcrumbs, divided (I grated 3 slices of sandwich bread)
• fresh minced chives (optional)
• 2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

Here's how to make it: 

1. Pour the cans of chicken into a colander. Break the chicken into pieces using your fingers and press to release as much moisture as you can. (Be sure to drain the chicken really well and squeeze out as much liquid as you can before mixing with other ingredients.)
   
2. Combine the chicken, egg, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, chives (if using) and 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine. (Depending on the brand, canned chicken can be salty, so watch how much extra salt you add to the recipe.)
   
3. Shape the mixture into four to six patties. (The number will depend on how big and thick you make the patties.)
   
4. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Coat both sides of the patties with the remaining 1 cup of breadcrumbs.
   
5. Fry the patties until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
   
6. To bake or air fry the chicken patties, spray with nonstick cooking spray and bake at 400 degrees F until golden brown.
   

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