Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes
Golden fried Brazilian coxinha filled with shredded chicken and creamy cream cheese, shaped like little drumsticks for a perfect snack. This brazilian-inspired snacks ready in about 55 minutes turns large (about 1 lb) chicken breasts, water, chicken bouillon cube 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 220 calories and feeds 8, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 large (about 1 lb) chicken breasts
- 4 cups water
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 small, chopped onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2, beaten eggs
- 2 cups bread crumbs
- for frying vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, bring 4 cups water and 1 chicken bouillon cube to a boil. Add 2 large chicken breasts and 1 small chopped onion. Simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken and shred finely.
- Step 2: In a skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour and toast lightly for 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Gradually whisk in 1 cup milk, stirring constantly until a thick dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and mix in shredded chicken, 4 oz cream cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let cool completely.
- Step 4: Shape the dough into small drumstick-shaped croquettes about 3 inches long.
- Step 5: Dip each coxinha into 2 beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with 2 cups bread crumbs.
- Step 6: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry the coxinhas in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 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 Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes?
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 Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes?
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 Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes?
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.
