Fried Coxinha Chicken Croquettes

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

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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 15 min Serves 8 Brazilian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Step 4: Shape the dough into small drumstick-shaped croquettes about 3 inches long.
  5. Step 5: Dip each coxinha into 2 beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with 2 cups bread crumbs.
  6. 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.

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.

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