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These Ground Chicken Patties are crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and so easy to make in the air fryer. They are made with simple ingredients, coated in a parmesan breadcrumb mixture, and cook up golden and flavorful in just 10 minutes.
Why I Love These Patties
I was looking through some high protein dinner ideas and decided to try making my own version of ground chicken patties in the air fryer. I tested them a few different ways, and this version ended up being my favorite because it has the best balance of crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The parmesan breadcrumb coating gives them that golden, savory crust, while the ground chicken mixture stays tender and flavorful.
These have quickly become one of those easy dinners I know my family will actually get excited about. My oldest daughter loved them so much that she was begging me to make them again the next week, which is always the best kind of review. Serve them as chicken burgers, with dipping sauce, sliced over a salad, cut up over pasta, or with potatoes and vegetables for a simple weeknight meal.
🩷 Emily
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground chicken: Lean, mild, and perfect for patties, but it needs a little help staying moist and flavorful.
- Egg: Helps hold the chicken mixture together so the patties keep their shape.
- Mayonnaise: Adds moisture and keeps the patties from drying out in the air fryer.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper give the chicken mixture simple, savory flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Creates a crispy coating on the outside of the patties.
- Italian seasoning: Adds herby flavor if you are using plain breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese: Use the powdery grated parmesan for the best coating texture.
- Paprika: Adds color and a little extra flavor to the breading.
- Oil spray: Vegetable oil or avocado oil helps the coating crisp up in the air fryer.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Italian breadcrumbs: If you use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, you can skip the Italian seasoning in the coating.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Use panko for an even crunchier coating.
- Ground turkey: Ground turkey can be used in place of ground chicken.
- Greek yogurt: Use plain Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise if you prefer.
- Fresh herbs: Add chopped parsley, basil, or chives to the chicken mixture for a little freshness.
- Spice: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the coating.
- Cheese: Romano cheese can be used in place of parmesan for a sharper flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and make sure your parmesan and seasonings are gluten-free.
How to Make Ground Chicken Patties
- Mix the chicken. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Chill the mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken mixture for 30 minutes. This makes the mixture easier to scoop and shape.
- Shape the patties. Scoop the chilled chicken mixture onto parchment paper using an ice cream scoop. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and press each scoop into a flat, round patty.
- Chill again. Place the patties in the refrigerator for 15 minutes so they firm up before coating.
- Coat the patties. In a shallow bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, paprika, salt, and pepper. Coat both sides of each patty in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Air fry. Spray both sides of the patties with vegetable oil or avocado oil. Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the patties are golden and the center reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recipe Tips
- Use parchment paper for shaping. Ground chicken is sticky, and parchment makes it much easier to press into patties.
- Do not skip the chill time. Chilling helps the patties hold together and makes them easier to coat.
- Make the patties the same size. Even patties cook more evenly in the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if needed so the air can circulate around each patty.
- Flip halfway through. This helps both sides get golden and crisp.
- Use a meat thermometer. Ground chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the center.
- Do not press the patties while cooking. Pressing can push out moisture and make the patties dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can mix and shape the patties earlier in the day, then keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to coat and air fry them.
Ground chicken is naturally softer and stickier than ground beef. Chilling the mixture and using parchment paper makes it much easier to handle.
Yes. Place the coated patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray both sides with oil, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the center reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes. Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side, then continue cooking until they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the center.
Yes. If you use Italian breadcrumbs, leave out the Italian seasoning in the coating so the flavor does not get too strong.
They can be, I actually usually make these gluten-free. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and check that your parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and seasonings are gluten-free.
Use the egg, chill the mixture, and press the patties firmly between parchment paper. If the mixture feels too loose after chilling, add 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to the chicken mixture.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: Mix and shape the patties up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to coat and cook.
- Storing: Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing Uncooked Patties: Place shaped patties between pieces of parchment paper and freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Freezing Cooked Patties: Cool completely, then freeze with parchment paper between each patty for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes, or until heated through.
Pairing Ideas
These ground chicken patties are so easy to turn into a full meal. Serve them on buns with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and your favorite sauce, or keep them simple with roasted vegetables, a green salad, potato wedges, sweet potato fries, rice, or macaroni and cheese. They are also great sliced over a salad, pasta, or tucked into wraps for lunch. If you want to keep it really simple, slice and dip in Ranch Dressing, BBQ Sauce, or Sweet and Sour Sauce.
More Fried Chicken Recipes
These Ground Chicken Patties are crispy, juicy, and easy enough for a weeknight dinner. The parchment paper trick makes shaping them so much easier, and the parmesan breadcrumb coating gives them the best golden crust. If you try this recipe, leave a comment and rating below. I love hearing how recipes turn out in your kitchen! 💛
Ground Chicken Patties
Ingredients
For the Chicken Patties
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Crumb Coating
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil spray or avocado oil spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken mixture for 30 minutes.
- Use an ice cream scoop to scoop the chilled chicken mixture onto parchment paper, making 4 equal portions.
- Place a second piece of parchment paper over the chicken portions. Press each portion into a flat, round patty about ½ inch in thickness. Refrigerate the patties for 15 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Coat both sides of each patty in the breadcrumb mixture.
- If the patties lose their shape, use a bowl upside down and swirl around the edges to help reshape.
- Spray both sides of the patties with vegetable oil spray or avocado oil spray. Place the patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping after 5 minutes. Cook until the patties are golden brown and the center of each patty reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Notes
- If using Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, leave out the Italian seasoning.
- Ground chicken is sticky, so parchment paper makes shaping the patties easier.
- Chill the chicken mixture before shaping and chill the patties again before coating.
- Cook patties in a single layer in the air fryer.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure each patty reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For crispier patties, use panko breadcrumbs.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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