Chicken Patties
Chicken patties are a game-changer for decreasing wasted leftovers and giving it new life! Use leftover chicken to make a delicious chicken sandwich meal.

This is one of my chicken patties recipe ideas and it is perfect if you have chicken of any kind: fried chicken (take off skin and shred it up!), rotisserie chicken, or even leftover chicken fingers. If you’ve had these chicken patties before, though, you’ll know why a lot of people cook chicken just to be able to make them! Whether you’re having them as a main dish, in a sandwich, or as a snack, they’re sure to be a hit.
Made with super simple ingredients that you likely already have, these patties have a nice crispy outside and a juicy, flavorful inside. Great for meal prepping, these chicken patties can be frozen and reheated easily, making them a convenient option for busy days. Pair them with a fresh salad, serve them on a bun with your favorite toppings, or enjoy them on their own for a quick protein boost!
What You’ll Need to Make Chicken Patties:

Recipe Ingredients:
- Shredded Chicken*
- Milk
- Saltine crackers
- Poultry seasoning
- Onion
- Eggs
- Salt and pepper
*How to Shred Chicken:
Take hot cooked chicken, with no bones, and place in the bowl of your stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, turn it on low for a minute, then turn it up to medium or so for another minute. The result? Perfectly shredded chicken! For more info, check out our How To Shred Meat: Hands Free Tutorial Here
How to Make Chicken Patties:

Place Saltines in a food processor and pulse until they turn to crumbs.
Alternatively, use a ziplock bag and a rolling pin to crush the crackers. Using this method, I usually get started crushing them in the sleeve.

Chop up your onion really well.

In a small bowl, combine eggs, seasonings, and milk. Mix them up really well with a fork.

In a separate bowl place your chicken, cracker crumbs, and onion. Stir that up well.

Pour in your liquid ingredients. Stir that up really well.

Now cover this with a towel and let it sit for about five minutes.

Form the chicken mixture into patties with a patty press. You can also use your hands to form the chicken patties, pressing together really well as you form them.

I make big patties for sandwiches and usually end up with about five but you can easily make smaller ones and get seven or eight.

Now heat a grill pan and and grill the chicken patties until browned on both sides, flipping once.
You can also use a skillet and a tablespoon or so of oil if you prefer! Heat it on medium heat for a minute or two, and then pop those puppies in there.

Grill until browned on both sides, flipping once (or twice if you need to, ain’t nobody gonna judge here).

Take your chicken patties off the grill and serve as a sandwich with all your favorite sandwich fixings!

This is what it looks like inside. Incredibly tender and flavorful. Can’t wait to dig in!
Commonly Asked Questions about Chicken Patties:
Can These Chicken Patties Be Frozen?
Absolutely! I make a huge batch of them about once a month and then freeze them in quart sized zipper seal bags to heat up whenever we need a quick side. They microwave well and you can’t ever tell they weren’t freshly made!
What fixings should I put on my chicken patty sandwich?
Creating a delicious chicken patty sandwich can be a delightful culinary experience. Here are some fixings and combinations to consider:
Classic Fixings
- Lettuce: Crisp and fresh, it adds a nice crunch.
- Tomato: Slices of juicy tomato for a burst of freshness.
- Pickles: Adds a tangy crunch.
- Onions: Raw red onions for a sharp bite, or caramelized onions for sweetness.
Cheeses
- Cheddar: Sharp and flavorful.
- Swiss: Mild and creamy.
- Provolone: Melts well and adds a slight smoky flavor.
- Pepper Jack: For a spicy kick.
Sauces and Condiments
- Mayonnaise: Classic and creamy.
- Mustard: Adds a tangy zest.
- Ketchup: Traditional and sweet.
- BBQ Sauce: Smoky and rich.
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy with herbs.
- Hot Sauce: For some heat.
Additional Toppings
- Bacon: Adds a savory crunch.
- Avocado: Creamy and rich.
- Jalapeños: For extra heat.
- Coleslaw: Adds a tangy, crunchy element.
- Sautéed Mushrooms: Earthy and savory.
Bread Options
- Brioche Bun: Buttery and soft.
- Ciabatta Roll: Chewy and rustic.
- Pretzel Bun: Slightly salty and dense.
- Whole Wheat Bun: Healthier option with a nutty flavor.
Combinations to Try
- Classic Chicken Sandwich: Lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
- Spicy Delight: Pepper Jack cheese, jalapeños, lettuce, and hot sauce on a ciabatta roll.
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich: Cheddar cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw on a pretzel bun.
- Avocado Ranch: Provolone cheese, avocado, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato on a whole wheat bun.
Feel free to mix and match these fixings to create your perfect chicken patty sandwich!

Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 small onion finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning can use less if you like
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together chicken and cracker crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together all other ingredients. Pour wet mixture into bowl with chicken and stir until well combined. Cover with dish towel and allow to sit for five minutes. Form into 5-7 patties. Can freeze at this time and cook them later.
- To cook: Place about 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet and heat over medium high heat for a few minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add patties. Cook until well browned on both sides, flipping once. To cook from frozen, follow same instructions but allow longer cooking time. Remove from heat once hot through.
- Serve on their own or on buns, mayo (if you like it), lettuce, and fresh tomato.

Christy, one of the reasons I became a regular reader of Southern Plate was because the way you walked step by step through the recipe with photos to show how things should be done and then the finished product at the end. That and the fact that your recipes are simple and honest food that I can make myself! Nothing so fancy smancy that you need a high dollar SLR camera to immortalize it for all times!
Your photos look like they could be made in my kitchen, if I had the great Pyrex collection that you have!
Now I wanna hug you, too Diane! thank you so much. My heart is in feeding people and sharing what I refer to as “normal people food”. I’ve always had a slim grocery budget and have never been one to want to spend excessive amounts of time in the kitchen (as much as I enjoy it) so I’m so glad you like that my recipes reflect that!! I started buying pyrex piece by piece four years ago and most of it has come from flea markets. I love going on Sundays when folks wanna make a deal so they don’t have to take it back home! I do have some inherited pieces as well, which are priceless of course 🙂
Gratefully,
Christy
I just love this…I have leftover boneless, skinless chicken breast in the fridge cooked Sunday and this will be perfect. Love the tip on how to shred the chicken and also that I can freeze before or after cooking. I love freezing food for quick meals. What’s for supper? Christy’s Chicken Sandwich..
Martha, you just made me smile from my chin to my eyebrows!
Gratefully,
Christy
I put the crackers in a zip bag and use the rolling pin to crush them.
Great minds think alike 🙂
Gratefully,
Christy
P.S. Or maybe you’ve got the great mind and I lucked out and followed suit!
I often really wish that the people who comment would only do so after they had tried the recipe so that they could give their opinion on how good the food was, etc. not how good they thought the food would be. Maybe it’s just me.
Oh but people commenting is what makes this a conversation! I love to post and then hear back from everyone. It’s how we visit each day :). Some of the recipe sites just have comments about the actual recipes but we’re family here and we like to chat 🙂
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate people chatting with me in every post!
Gratefully,
Christy
These look awesome! I love salmon patties, too, but so glad to have another use for leftoever chicken. What kind of rolls where yours on? They looked really great. Definitely going to try these…and the beans…and going to look up that post about dropping the camera in the batter. Sounds just like me!
Oh Kayleen, thanks for reminding me. I meant to mention the rolls. Those were some that I picked up in the bakery at my grocery store. I don’t remember the name but they were sturdier than regular hamburger buns and really good with the patties!
Gratefully,
Christy
Hey Christy good idea! They look good to me and I LOVE being able to use my left overs in a new way!
Thank you so much Leigh! I always have to get creative with leftovers in this house, lol.
Gratefully,
Christy
I have never thought of doing that with chicken! What a great idea! Thanks!
Thank you Angela! Hope you’re having a great day!
Gratefully,
Christy