Lancaster County is a place where old-fashioned traditions are cherished, and one of the most beloved is the Amish cuisine. One dish that epitomizes the heartwarming comfort food of this region is the Crispy Chicken Croquettes at the Neptune Diner.
These delicious croquettes have a crispy golden-brown crust that gives way to a tender and juicy chicken filling. With the perfect balance of savory spices and herbs, they’re the ultimate comfort food that can be enjoyed any time of the day. This version is from an Amish recipe book I found at a Lancaster thrift store.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dehydrated minced onions
- 2 cups cooked finely chopped chicken
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs or panko
- vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour until smooth.
- Gradually pour in the half and half, whisking, until smooth.
- Stir in the garlic powder, minced onions, and salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the chicken and form the mixture into patties.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour (optional).
- When ready to cook, beat the eggs in a bowl. Put the breadcrumbs into another bowl. Heat about 1/2 an inch of oil in a skillet.
- Dip the patties into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs.
- Fry in the hot oil until golden brown on side sides and heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels.
These can also be deep fried rather than pan fried. I prefer lard over vegetable oil for frying both for health reasons and flavor.
