These crispy Cheesy Chicken Fritters are a satisfying twist on a traditional chicken dish, made with tender ground chicken, crunchy crispy bacon, zesty Ranch seasoning, fresh green onions, and gooey sharp cheddar. Try this easy dish as an appetizer or main course!
Elevate your appetizer game with these irresistible chicken fritter puffs! They are packed with flavor and are easy to prepare, making them a great quick dish to serve on any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a group gathering or looking for a delicious no-fuss family meal, this will be one of your favorite easy chicken recipes.
There are many ways to enjoy this versatile dish! Simply serve fritters with a tasty dip or sauce like ranch dressing, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce. Or add them on top of a salad, between sliders, or in a wrap or burrito. They also make a great main dish with sides! For more easy fritter recipes, try my dill pickle chicken fritters, cauliflower fritters, or jalapeno cheddar chicken fritters.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy. All you need is 7 simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes to make this recipe!
- Grain-Free. Keto chicken fritters are made with coconut flour for a naturally gluten-free dish, free of grains, and a great low-carb option.
- Low carb. These fried chicken fritters are a low carb dish perfect for those on a keto or low carb diet.
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you will need to make this cheesy chicken fritters recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Chicken: Ground chicken makes a sturdy base for these fritters and is a great source of lean protein. Alternatively, you can use ground turkey if you prefer.
- Bacon: Opt for thick-cut, high-quality bacon for a leaner option with the crispiest texture. Fry up the bacon and crumble before stirring it in with the ground chicken.
- Ranch Seasoning: Infuses the crispy chicken fritters with a burst of zesty herbs and spices. Use a store-bought package for the easiest prep.
- Green Onion: Finely chop the onions so you have a good distribution of color and flavor in each bite.
- Egg: Use a large egg, as it serves as the binding to hold the fritters together and adds a touch of moisture to the tender texture.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese gives the fritters a rich tangy flavor and creates pockets of melted gooey cheese.
- Coconut Flour: Makes the ground chicken fritters gluten-free. The binding holds the fritters together and adds a subtle sweet and nutty undertone.
- Olive Oil: Used to pan-fry the fritters, and adds a rich flavor and healthy fat. Alternatively, you can use vegetable, avocado, or canola oil.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Fritters
Below are photos and recipe steps so you can easily make this chicken fritter recipe at home. You will also need a stovetop burner, a large skillet, a mixing bowl, and a small ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup.
Mix and Form
Combine the ground chicken, cooked bacon, Ranch seasoning, and green onions in a bowl. Once the mixture is combined, add the egg, shredded cheddar cheese, and coconut flour, and mix until well combined. Using a small ice cream scoop or a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop out the chicken mixture. Pat the fritters a little thinner than you think they need to, as they will puff a bit as they cook.
Pan-Fry Fritters
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil begins to simmer, carefully add the patties to the skillet. Ensure the fritters are not touching, and do not overcrowd the pan. Cook the fritters for 3-4 minutes on each side until the exterior is golden brown and the interior reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF with an instant-read thermometer. When the fritters are cooked through, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra oil. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce of your choice.
Serve
Enjoy this recipe chicken fritters recipe with your favorite dipping sauce as an appetizer or side dish, or pair with additional sides and serve as the main course! Below are some of our favorite recipes to serve with this dish.
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- Air Fryer Parmesan Cauliflower
- Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Aioli
- Keto Dinner Rolls
- Cheesy Caulilflower Casserole
Storage and Reheating Instructions
These fritters are best enjoyed hot from the skillet, however, you can also store leftovers if needed. Allow the fritters to cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For the best texture, reheat them in the air fryer at 350ºF for a few minutes until warmed or in the oven at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Tips and Tricks
- If you have the time, refrigerate the recipe overnight before you cook the fritters. This will enhance the flavors and also help firm up the mixture so the fritters hold their shape even better.
- Use a small ice cream scoop to easily dish out the batter for each chicken fritter so they are uniform in size.
- Test the fritters for doneness by using a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165ºF. If your fritters are browning too quickly, adjust the temperature of the pan.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, this recipe is gluten free when prepared as described.
Yes, you can switch up this cheesy chicken fritters keto recipe in several ways. Swap the cheddar cheese for mozzarella or parmesan cheese or a mix of cheeses! You can also add additional spices per your taste like cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to add a kick, or fresh herbs like dill or parsley. Additionally, you can swap the coconut flour for almond flour.
Yes, instead of using ground chicken, you can make chicken fritters with canned chicken, chicken breast fritters with tender chicken breasts, or chicken chunk fritters using boneless and skinless chicken thigh meat. Just be sure to cut up whichever chicken you use into small cubes or pieces and stir the mixture well to distribute the egg.
There are 335 calories per serving of these chicken fritters. You can find all nutritional information including sodium, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and fiber below in the recipe card.
More Chicken Appetizer Recipes
Cheesy Chicken Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/3 cup cooked crispy bacon
- 1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning
- 2 tablespoons green onions finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
Instructions
- Combine the ground chicken, cooked bacon, Ranch seasoning, and green onions in a bowl. Once the mixture is combined, add the egg, shredded cheddar cheese, and coconut flour.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pat out the chicken fritters. Pat the fritters a little thinner than you think they need to, as they will puff a bit as they cook.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, carefully add the fritters to the skillet. Ensure the fritters are not touching, and do not overcrowd the pan. Cook the fritters for 3-4 minutes on each side until the exterior is golden brown and the interior reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees with an instant-read thermometer.
- When the fritters are cooked through, remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra oil.
- Serve immediately with the dipping sauce of your choice.
