You want to know one of my favorite convenience foods I miss the most since switching to real food? Processed chicken patties for chicken sandwiches. (Bet you never would have guessed that, since that’s what this post is about.)
I grew up microwaving Schwan’s chicken patties and slapping them on white buns for a quick meal or snack after a sports practice. They were yummy and easy and while I couldn’t care less about many other processed convenience items (I gave up boxed pizza rolls several years ago and never looked back) – I do miss the taste and handiness of chicken patties.
So why it’s taken me this long to figure out a recipe that resembles the beloved frozen chicken patties, I do not know. But here I am, finally learning a way to make breaded chicken patties for sandwiches. The best news is that you can make these in bulk and freeze them for a fast, convenient, ready-made meal on a busy day.
Homemade Chicken Patties for Sandwiches
- 3 pounds ground chicken
- 4 teaspoons onion powder, divided
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 3 cups whole grain flour (I used whole wheat, but if you need these to be gluten free, use your favorite flour choice)
- Palm shortening or oil of choice
- In a large bowl mix ground chicken, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon sea salt.
- Shape meat mixture into 15-20 patties (make them larger or smaller depending on your family's portion size needs)
- Beat eggs into a bowl.
- Pour milk into a separate bowl.
- In a third bowl, mix flour, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon sea salt.
- Heat palm shortening or oil on a griddle.
- Dip prepared meat patties in egg, then flour mixture, then milk, then flour mixture again.
- Place battered chicken patty into oil on the griddle.
- Repeat process with each chicken patty.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes on each side, mashing down lightly as needed.
- Serve right away, or cool and freeze for future use, then rewarm in a 350 degree oven until heated through.
Are you ready to see some ugly chicken patty pictures? This isn’t pretty, friends. Raw meat pressed into patties – well there’s a reason we call stuff like this “processed food.” But take great comfort in the fact that this is all made from real food and wholesome ingredients and ignore the fact that naked ground chicken pressed into a patty really just ain’t purty.
See the patty breading process? First the egg.
Then the flour.
Then the milk.
Then the flour again.
Then comes the part where we fry the patties in oil.
We watch in amazement as they turn into beautiful chicken patties we can’t wait to put on a bun or between two big leaves of lettuce.
Sure, it’s thicker than the patties we grew up eating. We like it that way. That means there’s double the meat.
One of the biggest perks is that you can form your chicken patties into any size you need for your family. Have small children? Make small patties. Have teenage boys? Make the patties nice and big. Have some big eaters and small eaters? Make a variety.
The biggest win is that if you make a bunch, you’ll have yummy chicken patties ready to warm up for sandwiches on a day you don’t have time to cook!
Did you grow up eating and loving processed chicken sandwiches?
Love this idea.. I’ve tried some of your recipes with great success, but often find myself short on time & energy to cook everything from scratch. Going Organic with Fruits & Veggies and will keep being positive and trying.. Baby steps!! :) Thank you for all your hard work.
I’m going to have to try these!! My DH loves processed chicken patties it would be wonderful if he liked a healthier fresher version!
I think this recipe is going to be a keeper! I’m pinning it right now, & plan to try soon!
I used to love eating the school’s chicken patties (who knows where those came from) growing up as a kid. I will have to try your version soon :)
Add taco spices to the flour. With lettuce and real mayo on the bun, the kids say it tastes like a spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy’s. Thanks for another great recipe that the whole family likes!
Most awesome post! Just wanted to add you can easily make your own ground chicken with any type of food processor I dont have a food processor but I do have a Betty Crocker Salad express I spray metal blade with pan spray so chicken doesnt stick and use boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders I get on sale & make my own Ground chicken not difficult or time consuming definitely cheaper than buying ground chicken at grocers ?I freeze raw and cook as needed but Iive alone now kids grown and gone Thanks Laura for your inspiration and encouragement weekly You ROCK !! God Bless Have a great week!
I’ve made these several times and they are always a huge hit! I am going to make these for supper tonight, but was wondering if you’ve ever baked them instead of frying. I’m trying to make it a little less messy as my day is super full!
I never have, but I think if you smear your baking pan with palm shortening, coconut oil, or butter quite liberally it might work okay. If you try it, let us know how it works!
I tried baking them and they came out great! I spread a thick layer of palm shortening on a baking sheet and put the patties on. I cooked at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes and flipped them halfway through. I thought it was easier than frying- I’m notorious for setting off the smoke detector that way!
Okay, I used ground turkey instead of chicken to make the patties. My family loved them!
Laura- what is your favorite non-microwave way to warm these up from the freezer?
Thank you!
If I have time, I put them in a 350 oven for about 15 minutes to warm up while I do something else. If I’m short on time, I put a little oil in a skillet and heat them on the stovetop. :)
Do you happen to know about how many carbs these may have?
Eeek, I sure don’t! Likely not very many, I would guess!