CHICKEN CROQUETTES



Let me just tell you that Colombians are party people.

We love getting together with friends and family and having a good time.

I love to entertain and when I do I go all out!

This is one of my favorite appetizer recipes to make when I have people over.

Croquettes are the perfect party snack that can be made beforehand, placed in

sealed plastic bags in the fridge and then cooked right before your guests arrive.

This recipes consists of cooked chicken meat which means you could use leftovers

from either roasted or grilled chicken that you maybe cooked a night or few nights before.

Ingredients:
About 20 croquettes

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
3 tablespoons of chicken broth
2 cups bread crumbs
3 eggs
Canola, or vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

1. In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, red bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cumin and season with salt and pepper. Remove the vegetables from the heat. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. Meanwhile, place the cooked chicken in the food processor or a meat grinder. Process for a couple of minutes, or until ground, and add to the onion mixture.

3. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, chicken broth, and 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs and mix well. Place the rest of the bread crumbs in separate bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Take small balls from the mixture and form the croquettes. Roll the croquettes in the bread crumbs. Set the croquettes on the prepared sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Place in the fridge to rest for about 3 hours.

5. In a fry pan over medium-high heat, pour in the oil, enough to cover the croquettes, and heat to 350°F.

6. Using tongs, carefully place 3 or 4 croquettes in the hot oil (do not crowd the pan) and cook, turning as needed, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining croquettes.