Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast 6 ways

Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast are about to become your weeknight hero, seriously! Hi, I’m Anna, and I’m that passionate food lover who believes everyday cooking should be simple but packed with flavor. I specialize in taking things like canned chicken—yes, canned!—and turning them into something you’d actually look forward to eating. My kitchen philosophy centers on making robust, satisfying meals when you only have twenty minutes to spare.

These patties are my go-to when the fridge looks empty but dinner needs to happen *now*. We aren’t messing around with complicated breading or raw meat handling here. We’re using pantry staples to create a crispy exterior that snaps when you bite into it, revealing a tender, cheesy center. Trust me, once you see how quickly these come together, you’ll be keeping the ingredients stocked all the time!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

These cheesy wonders are designed for speed and satisfaction. They skip the cutting board entirely and still deliver amazing texture. If you need dinner on the table in minutes using things you already have, this is your recipe!

Quick Prep Time for Busy Cooks

Honestly, the prep time is just ten minutes—that’s faster than deciding what takeout to order! You are literally opening cans, mixing, and shaping. This means you can have a full, hot meal ready in about twenty minutes total, which is perfect for those crazy evenings.

Satisfying Texture Profile

The contrast is everything here. You get that gorgeous, golden-brown crust from the quick pan-fry, but inside? It’s warm, soft, and gooey because of the melted cheddar. They hold together beautifully thanks to the eggs and breadcrumbs, so you don’t have to worry about them crumbling apart.

These cheesy wonders are designed for speed and satisfaction. They skip the cutting board entirely and still deliver amazing texture. If you need dinner on the table in minutes using things you already have, this is your recipe!

Quick Prep Time for Busy Cooks

Honestly, the prep time is just ten minutes—that’s faster than deciding what takeout to order! You are literally opening cans, mixing, and shaping. This means you can have a full, hot meal ready in about twenty minutes total, which is perfect for those crazy evenings.

Satisfying Texture Profile

The contrast is everything here. You get that gorgeous, golden-brown crust from the quick pan-fry, but inside? It’s warm, soft, and gooey because of the melted cheddar. They hold together beautifully thanks to the eggs and breadcrumbs, so you don’t have to worry about them crumbling apart.

Equipment List for Making Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for these quick chicken patties—that’s the beauty of it! We are sticking to the basics here so you can get dinner done without having to dig through every drawer in your kitchen. This recipe is built for maximum flavor with minimum fuss.

Essential Cooking Tools

• A large mixing bowl for combining everything.
• A sturdy fork for flaking the chicken.
• A large skillet—you need enough surface area to cook six patties without overcrowding them.
• Paper towels to drain off that lovely frying oil.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

This is where the magic of pantry cooking really shines. Because these are skillet chicken patties, we rely on shelf-stable items to do the heavy lifting. Don’t stress if you don’t have fresh ingredients on hand; that’s why this recipe exists! Everything here is measured out perfectly to yield exactly six great patties.

Precise Ingredient Measurements

You’ll need two full cans of chunk chicken breast—and I mean really well drained, almost dry, or they get soggy! That gives us about 25 ounces of chicken total. For binding, we use two large eggs and two tablespoons of mayonnaise for richness. The cheese has to be one cup of shredded cheddar, and we use a half cup of plain breadcrumbs to soak up that moisture.

Don’t forget the seasoning! A half teaspoon each of salt and black pepper goes right in. Finally, for frying, grab two tablespoons of olive oil. That’s it—the whole shopping list is short and sweet.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

When it comes to the breadcrumbs, plain ones work best because we are adding our own salt and pepper. If you only have Panko, that adds even more crunch, so feel free to use those! Make sure your cheddar cheese is already shredded, or shred it yourself—pre-shredded bags sometimes have anti-caking agents that stop them from melting quite as gooey.

If you happen to have fresh parsley or chives lying around, chop up a tablespoon and toss it in with the seasonings for a fresh lift. It’s not necessary for the recipe, but it adds a nice little pop of color and brightness to these easy cheesy chicken patties.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

Alright, let’s get these patties into the pan! These steps are so straightforward, you’ll be shocked at how quickly you move from ingredients to dinner plate. Remember, this whole process moves fast, so have your skillet ready to go before you start mixing.

Preparing the Chicken Mixture

First things first, you absolutely must drain those cans of chicken breast thoroughly. I mean it—squeeze out every drop you can. Soggy chicken makes for mushy patties, and we are not making mushy patties! Dump the drained chicken into your large bowl and use a fork to flake it apart until it looks like coarse shreds. Now, toss in your two eggs, the mayonnaise, that cup of cheddar, the breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until it’s just combined. You want everything incorporated, but don’t overmix it, or the texture gets tough.

Forming and Shaping the Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

Once it’s mixed, grab a measuring cup or just eyeball it. Divide the mixture evenly into six portions. Roll each portion gently between your palms and flatten it into a patty shape. Try to make them all about one inch thick and roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Be gentle when shaping them; we want them firm, but not packed down like little hockey pucks!

Cooking for Crispy Perfection

Time to heat things up! Place two tablespoons of olive oil in your large skillet and set the heat to medium. You want that oil shimmering but not smoking wildly. Once it’s ready, carefully place your six patties into the pan in a single layer. Do not crowd the pan, or they won’t crisp up right; cook in batches if you need to. Let them cook undisturbed for about four to five minutes per side. You are looking for that beautiful, deep golden brown color that screams ‘crispy’!

Finishing and Resting the Patties

When both sides are looking perfect, use a spatula to lift the patties out of the hot oil and transfer them right onto a plate lined with a couple of paper towels. This little step is key for soaking up any extra oil so your crust stays crisp. Let them rest for about two minutes before you serve them up. This resting time helps them firm up just a bit more before they hit the table.

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

Since these patties are so fast, you need sides that keep up! The richness of the cheese pairs wonderfully with something bright and fresh. I love serving these crispy chicken patties alongside a simple bagged salad mix tossed with a vinaigrette—it cuts right through the savory flavor.

If you need something warm, microwaveable sweet potato cubes or quick-steamed green beans work perfectly. Keep it simple; these easy cheesy chicken patties are the star of the show! They also make fantastic sandwich stuffers on toasted buns with a slice of tomato.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

These patties are so good, you might actually have leftovers, which is rare in my house! If you do end up with extras, storing them correctly keeps that interior texture nice and tender. Just make sure you let them cool completely before you try to wrap them up. Nobody wants steamy chicken sitting in plastic!

Storage Guidelines

Store your cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep really well for about three to four days. I usually layer them between sheets of parchment paper inside the container so they don’t stick together into one giant cheesy clump.

Reheating for Best Texture

To bring back that wonderful crispiness we worked so hard for, skip the microwave if you can. The microwave steams them and makes them sad. The best way is back in a skillet with just a tiny splash of oil over medium heat until they are hot all the way through. Or, you can use a toaster oven. Whatever you choose, you must check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. They need to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 74 degrees Celsius) to be safe to eat again. That’s my golden rule for all reheated chicken!

Storage Method	Duration	Safety Check
Airtight Container (Fridge)	3–4 Days	N/A
Reheated	Immediate	Must reach 165°F (74°C)

Frequently Asked Questions About Quick Chicken Patties

It happens! Even with the simplest recipes, sometimes things don’t go exactly to plan, especially when you are working fast. Here are a few things people often ask me about getting these skillet chicken recipes just right.

Why Are My Patties Falling Apart?

Usually, this means the mixture was too wet, or you didn’t handle them gently enough when moving them to the pan. If your canned chicken wasn’t drained quite enough, that excess moisture messes with the binding power of the egg and breadcrumbs. Next time, try draining the chicken for an extra minute or even patting it dry with a paper towel before adding it to the bowl. If they are still crumbling, add just one more tablespoon of breadcrumbs next time to soak up any sneaky moisture.

Can I Bake These Chicken Patties Instead?

You absolutely can, though you won’t get that signature crispy crust we love from the skillet! If you prefer baking, lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Make sure you check the internal temperature with your thermometer—they must hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit before you pull them out!

Sharing Your Experience with Easy Cheesy Chicken Patties Crispy and Fast

Now that you’ve whipped up these fast and flavorful chicken patties, I really want to hear about it! Did they become your new weeknight go-to? Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out for you. Seriously, knowing these simple meals bring joy to your busy kitchen makes all the recipe testing worth it! You can also follow along for more quick ideas on Pinterest.

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