Deep-Fried Creamy Chicken Gravy

These came out a lot creamier than what I was after, so these chicken croquettes are more like deep-fried chicken gravy. Still, they're delicious. If you reduce the amount of butter and milk, you'll come closer to what I was after.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 248 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 cups finely chopped, cooked chicken meat
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped Italian parsley
• ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ cup finely chopped ham
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed for dredging

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until onions begin to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and cook until flour loses its raw taste, 3 or 4 minutes. Add black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper; stir. Remove from heat.

Step 3

Pour milk into butter-onion mixture to make the bechamel sauce. Whisk until incorporated. Return pan to medium-high heat and continue whisking until mixture thickens, 1 or 2 minutes; continue to cook and stir 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt.

Step 4

Place chopped chicken, ham, and parsley in bowl. Add bechamel sauce and mix thoroughly. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 2 or 3 hours.

Step 5

Place 1 cup flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls.

Step 6

Scoop out chilled mixture into evenly-sized portions (about the size of a golf ball) to form croquettes. Roll balls first in flour, then in beaten eggs, and then in bread crumbs.

Step 7

Fry croquettes in batches until crispy, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and transfer to rack.