Cheesy Chicken Drumstick Croquettes 🍗🧀

These Cheesy Chicken Drumstick Croquettes, also known as Crispy Potato Drumsticks, are made with shredded chicken and mashed potatoes wrapped around stretchy mozzarella cheese. They are shaped back onto the chicken drumstick bones, breaded, and fried until beautifully golden and crispy.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Filling

• 6 chicken drumsticks
• 2–3 medium potatoes, boiled and smoothly mashed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, cut into thick logs or cubes
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, finely chopped

The Seasonings

• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder

For the Breading Station

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, whisked
• 1 cup Panko or regular breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Instructions

Cook the Chicken

Boil the chicken drumsticks in salted water until they are fully tender, about 15–20 minutes. Remove them from the broth and let them cool.

Prepare the Bones

Carefully pull the chicken meat off the bones. Do not throw away the bones! Clean any remaining cartilage off the bones, wash them, and set them aside to use as handles.

Make the Mixture

Finely shred or chop the chicken meat. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mashed potatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, and all the spices: salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Mix thoroughly until a cohesive mixture forms.

Assemble the Drumsticks

Take a portion of the chicken-potato mixture and flatten it in your hand. Place a piece of mozzarella cheese in the center.

Place one of the cleaned bones next to the cheese, then wrap the mixture tightly around the bone and cheese, shaping it to look like a thick, natural drumstick. Make sure the cheese is completely sealed inside.

Bread the Croquettes

Coat each shaped drumstick lightly in flour, then dip it completely into the whisked eggs. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.

Fry

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to medium-high heat, around 175°C / 350°F.

Deep-fry the drumsticks for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they turn a beautiful crunchy golden brown.

Serve

Drain the croquettes on paper towels and serve immediately while hot for the ultimate molten cheese pull! 🧀🔥

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