These Easy Cheesy Chicken Fritters are a fantastic low-carb appetizer or light meal! They’re packed with flavor, featuring finely diced chicken breast mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, zesty jalapeños, fresh herbs, and just enough almond flour to hold them together. I love making these Cheesy Chicken Fritters because they’re incredibly simple, pan-fried to golden perfection, and taste absolutely amazing with your favorite dipping sauce. They’re a great way to enjoy a satisfying, protein-packed bite without the carbs, perfect for spring gatherings or anytime you need a quick and delicious option!
Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Chicken Fritters
- Keto & Low-Carb Friendly: Uses almond or coconut flour instead of traditional flour.
- Cheesy and Flavorful: Loaded with mozzarella and Parmesan, plus garlic, onion, and herbs.
- Easy to Make: Simple mix-and-fry method requires minimal effort.
- Tender and Juicy: Finely dicing the chicken keeps the fritters moist.
- Versatile: Great as an appetizer, snack, light lunch, or even a main dish component.
Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken Fritters
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious low-carb fritters. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Skinless, boneless chicken breast, finely diced (Meat)
- Medium eggs (Binder)
- Almond flour or coconut flour (Low-Carb Flour)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (Dairy)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) (Dairy)
- Jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced (Vegetable)
- Spring onion, sliced + for garnish (Vegetable)
- Parsley, chopped (Herb)
- Olive oil (for frying) (Oil)
Seasoning
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Fresh ground black pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the combination of flavors in these Cheesy Chicken Fritters, but here are some tasty variations:
- Different Cheese: Use shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, Provolone, or a blend of cheeses.
- Add Veggies: Mix in some finely chopped bell peppers, spinach (squeezed dry), or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Make it Spicy: Increase the amount of jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Different Herbs: Use cilantro, dill, or thyme instead of parsley.
- Bacon: Add some cooked and crumbled bacon to the mixture for extra savory flavor.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Fritters
Let me show you how easy it is to make these flavorful Cheesy Chicken Fritters:
Mix the Fritter Batter
- First, I finely dice the chicken breast – getting it into small pieces is key for quick cooking and tender fritters.
- Into a large bowl, I add the diced chicken, almond flour (or coconut flour), eggs, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan (if using), sliced spring onion (reserving some for garnish), finely diced jalapeño, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- I mix everything well with a spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined.
Cook the Fritters
- I heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-low heat.
- Using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, I scoop portions of the chicken mixture.
- I carefully transfer the scoops to the hot pan, then use the back of the spoon or spatula to slightly flatten each one into a fritter shape. I make sure not to overcrowd the pan; I cook the fritters in batches to ensure even cooking.
- I fry the Cheesy Chicken Fritters until golden brown on the first side, which takes about 6-8 minutes. It’s important to cook them at medium-low temp, otherwise, they will burn on the outside before the chicken is cooked through on the inside.
- I carefully flip the fritters and cook the other side until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Repeat with remaining batter.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Chicken Fritters
Here are my secrets for making these Cheesy Chicken Fritters truly exceptional:
- Finely Dice Chicken: Cutting the chicken very small ensures it cooks through quickly and evenly within the fritter.
- Medium-Low Heat: Don’t rush the cooking! Medium-low heat allows the chicken inside to cook fully without burning the cheesy exterior.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in batches to allow the fritters to brown properly and cook evenly.
- Drain on Paper Towels: Place cooked fritters briefly on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Adjust Jalapeño: Control the heat by removing all seeds and membranes from the jalapeños for less spice, or leave some in for more kick.
How to Serve
These Cheesy Chicken Fritters are fantastic served warm! Enjoy them:
- As an Appetizer: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like mayonnaise, chipotle aioli, Sriracha, ketchup, ranch, or guacamole.
- As a Light Lunch: Serve alongside a simple green salad.
- In Wraps or Pitas: Tuck them into lettuce wraps or low-carb pitas with some sauce.
- As a Main Dish Component: Serve alongside cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Garnish with extra sliced spring onions just before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can mix the fritter batter up to 24 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store leftover cooked fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, in the oven at 350°F (175°C), or in an air fryer until warmed through and crispy again. Microwaving will make them soft.
FAQs about Cheesy Chicken Fritters
- Can I use ground chicken instead of diced chicken breast?
- Yes, ground chicken would work well and make the mixing even easier.
- Can I bake these instead of pan-frying?
- Yes, you can bake them on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. They may not be quite as crispy as the pan-fried version.
- Are these strictly Keto?
- Yes, using almond or coconut flour, cheese, chicken, and egg makes these Cheesy Chicken Fritters fit well within a ketogenic diet. Ensure your Parmesan and mozzarella are low in carbs.
Enjoy these flavorful, cheesy, and easy-to-make Cheesy Chicken Fritters! They’re a perfect low-carb treat.
Print
Cheesy Chicken Fritters
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16–20 fritters 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Course, Keto, Low Carb
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cheesy Chicken Fritters are a delicious low-carb and keto-friendly appetizer or snack. Finely diced chicken is combined with mozzarella, Parmesan, almond flour, jalapeños, and seasonings, then pan-fried until golden brown and cooked through.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb (700g) skinless, boneless chicken breast, finely diced
- 2 medium eggs
- 1/3 cup almond flour (or coconut flour)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 3 Jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced (adjust to taste)
- 1 spring onion (scallion), sliced, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other cooking oil), for frying
For Serving (Optional):
- Mayonnaise
- Chipotle Aioli
- Sriracha
- Ketchup (use sugar-free for keto)
- Ranch Dressing
Instructions
-
Prepare Chicken: Finely dice the skinless, boneless chicken breast into very small pieces (smaller than bite-sized, almost minced).
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Combine Fritter Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the finely diced chicken, almond flour (or coconut flour), eggs, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan (if using), sliced spring onion, finely diced jalapeño, chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
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Heat Oil: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
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Form and Cook Fritters (in Batches):
- Using an ice cream scoop (about 2 tablespoons) or a large spoon, scoop portions of the chicken mixture.
- Drop the scoops into the hot skillet. Use the back of the scoop or a spatula to gently flatten each portion into a fritter shape.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook the fritters in batches to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Fry until golden brown on the first side, about 6-8 minutes. Carefully flip the fritters.
- Continue frying on the second side until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
- Cook at medium-low heat to ensure the inside cooks fully before the outside burns.
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Garnish and Serve: Garnish the cooked fritters with more sliced spring onion. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (mayonnaise, chipotle aioli, Sriracha, sugar-free ketchup, etc.).
Notes
- Dicing Chicken: Dicing the chicken very finely ensures it cooks through properly in the fritter format.
- Flour: Almond flour or coconut flour keeps these low-carb/keto. Coconut flour is more absorbent, so you might need slightly less.
- Jalapeño Heat: Adjust the amount of jalapeño (and whether you remove all seeds/membranes) based on your desired spice level.
- Cooking Temperature: Medium-low heat is crucial for these fritters. Cooking them too high will result in a burnt exterior and potentially undercooked interior.
- Doneness: Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking the internal temperature (165°F/74°C) or cutting into one fritter to check for any pinkness.
- Storage: Store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven for best results.