Coxinha-Shaped Chicken Croquettes with Creamy Catupiry Filling

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden fried chicken croquettes shaped like the classic Brazilian coxinha, filled with creamy Catupiry cheese for a luscious bite. This brazilian-inspired snacks ready in about 45 minutes turns shredded cooked chicken breast, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 15 min Serves 6 Brazilian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux.
  3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, continuing to stir until mixture thickens into a dough that pulls away from the pan.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and transfer dough to a bowl; fold in 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let cool slightly.
  5. Step 5: With floured hands, take a golf ball-sized portion of dough, flatten it, place 1 tbsp cream cheese (Catupiry substitute) in the center, and mold dough around to form a teardrop shape.
  6. Step 6: Dip each croquette into 2 beaten eggs, then coat with 1 cup bread crumbs.
  7. Step 7: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F. Fry croquettes in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Coxinha-Shaped Chicken Croquettes with Creamy Catupiry Filling take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (30 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Coxinha-Shaped Chicken Croquettes with Creamy Catupiry Filling?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coxinha-Shaped Chicken Croquettes with Creamy Catupiry Filling?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Coxinha-Shaped Chicken Croquettes with Creamy Catupiry Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Coxinha-Shaped Chicken Croquettes with Creamy Catupiry Filling?

Brazilian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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