Some of the best recipes are born out of a simple need to use up leftovers. That’s exactly how I first stumbled upon what would become a family favorite: Crispy Potato Chicken Balls. I had some leftover mashed potatoes and a few cooked chicken breasts from dinner the night before. I was tired of serving the same old leftovers, and I wanted to create something new and exciting that would surprise my family. My goal was to create a snack that was both comforting and fun, something that would be perfect for a movie night or a game day appetizer.
After some trial and error, I combined the mashed potatoes with the shredded chicken, added some cheese and spices, and rolled them into balls. The first batch was a little soft, so I decided to roll them in a simple breadcrumb coating for an extra layer of crunch. The result was pure magic. Golden brown and crispy on the outside, with a soft, savory, cheesy center, these little bites were an instant hit. My kids devoured them, and my husband immediately asked me to put them on our regular rotation. They are the perfect blend of a comforting shepherd’s pie and a fun, hand-held snack.
This recipe for Crispy Potato Chicken Balls is a testament to the power of reimagining simple ingredients. It takes a humble combination of leftovers and elevates them into a truly delicious and satisfying dish. They are incredibly versatile, easy to customize, and perfect for making ahead of time. Whether you’re looking for a new appetizer, a quick snack, or a fun way to get your kids to eat their chicken, this recipe is a total winner. In this post, we’ll walk through every step, from the perfect way to shred the chicken to the secret for getting an impossibly crispy coating. I’ll share tips for making these bites in the oven or air fryer, and offer a few variations to make them your own. Get ready to add a new favorite to your recipe collection that will be a hit with everyone who tries them.
The Secret to Perfect Potato Balls: Why This Recipe Works
The genius of this recipe lies in the way its simple ingredients work together to create a complex and satisfying texture and flavor. Each component is crucial to the final result.
- Mashed Potatoes: This is the base and the binder. Using leftover mashed potatoes is not only a great way to reduce food waste, but it also provides a soft, starchy, and creamy foundation for the balls. The potatoes bind the shredded chicken and cheese together, creating a perfectly scoopable and rollable mixture. The key is to use mashed potatoes that are not too thin or watery.
- Shredded Chicken: The chicken provides the protein and a hearty, savory flavor. Using pre-cooked chicken, whether it’s leftovers, rotisserie chicken, or chicken you cooked specifically for this recipe, saves a ton of time and effort. Shredding the chicken finely ensures that it integrates seamlessly with the mashed potatoes, so you get a perfect combination in every bite.
- Cheese: Cheese adds a rich, gooey, and savory element that takes these from good to great. Shredded cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can use any cheese you like. Its fat content helps to hold the ball together, and it provides a delicious melty texture when heated.
- The Crispy Coating: The simple breadcrumb coating is what makes these balls so special. A quick roll in panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs, followed by a light spray of oil, ensures a golden-brown, satisfyingly crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior. Panko breadcrumbs are highly recommended here, as their larger, flaky texture provides an extra-crispy crunch.
- The Cooking Method: Whether you choose to bake, fry, or air fry, the cooking method is key to a crispy exterior and a hot, melted interior. Baking and air frying are great for a healthier, less messy option, while frying in oil gives you a classic, deep-fried crunch. I’ll provide instructions for both, so you can choose the method that works best for you.
This combination of a soft, savory interior and a perfectly crunchy exterior is what makes these Crispy Potato Chicken Balls an absolute hit. They are the ultimate example of how a few simple ingredients can create something truly special.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients & Equipment
This recipe uses a short list of accessible ingredients, many of which you may already have on hand. The equipment is just as simple, proving that a delicious meal doesn’t require a lot of fuss.
Key Ingredients for Crispy Potato Chicken Balls
- 2 cups Mashed Potatoes: Leftover or freshly made. They should be thick, not watery.
- 1 1/2 cups Cooked Chicken: Shredded or finely diced.
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Or your favorite cheese blend.
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Adds a savory, aromatic flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder: For a classic, subtle onion flavor.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.
- 1 large Egg: Beaten lightly.
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs: Or regular breadcrumbs, for the coating.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: For baking or air frying.
- Optional: Diced chives, a pinch of paprika, or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
Essential Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the potato and chicken mixture.
- Baking Sheet: If you are baking in the oven.
- Air Fryer: If you are air frying.
- Small Bowl: For the beaten egg.
- Shallow Dish or Plate: For the breadcrumbs.
- Spoon or Ice Cream Scoop: For portioning the balls.
- Frying Pan: If you are frying in oil.
- Tongs: For turning the balls while cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful and delicious batch of Crispy Potato Chicken Balls.
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes and shredded cooked chicken. Use a sturdy spoon or your hands to mix them together until the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the potatoes.
Stir in the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to mix until all the ingredients are well combined. The mixture should be thick and easy to handle.
Step 2: Form the Balls
Use a spoon or a small ice cream scoop to portion the mixture. Take a spoonful of the potato mixture and roll it gently between your palms to form a ball about 1.5 inches in diameter.
Place the finished balls on a plate or tray and repeat the process until all of the mixture has been used. This recipe typically yields about 20-25 balls, depending on their size.
Step 3: Coat the Balls
Set up your coating station. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg. In a separate shallow dish or plate, spread the panko breadcrumbs.
Working one at a time, take a potato chicken ball and dip it into the beaten egg, making sure to coat it completely. Then, transfer the egg-coated ball to the dish with the breadcrumbs, rolling it around to coat it on all sides. Gently press the crumbs onto the ball to ensure they stick.
Place the coated balls back on the plate or tray and continue the process until all the balls are coated. For a truly crispy finish, you can do a double coating: roll in breadcrumbs, dip back in egg, and roll in breadcrumbs again.
Step 4: Cook to Crispy Perfection
You have three options for cooking:
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the coated potato balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray the tops of the balls lightly with olive oil or cooking spray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden-brown and crispy all over.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the coated potato balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Lightly spray with olive oil or cooking spray. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and crunchy.
Frying Method: Fill a large frying pan with about 1 inch of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (it will shimmer), carefully place the potato balls in the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are a deep golden-brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, serve the Crispy Potato Chicken Balls immediately while they are hot and crispy. They are fantastic on their own, but they are even better served with your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch, sour cream, or a tangy barbecue sauce.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations
- Make-Ahead and Freeze: These potato balls are perfect for making ahead of time. After you have coated them in the breadcrumbs, place them on a baking sheet and freeze them until they are solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be cooked directly from frozen; just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Add a Spicy Kick: For a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the potato mixture.
- Change the Cheese: You can easily swap the cheddar cheese for other varieties. Try a spicy Monterey Jack, some smoked gouda, or a creamy mozzarella for a different flavor and texture.
- Use Different Proteins: This recipe works beautifully with other cooked proteins. Try using finely diced ham, cooked ground beef, or shredded turkey.
- Alternative Coatings: If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can use crushed cornflakes, crushed Ritz crackers, or even a blend of flour and spices for a simple dredge.
- Get Creative with Sauces: The dipping sauce is a great opportunity to get creative. A simple sour cream and chive dip, a homemade aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo would all be delicious.
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Why are my potato balls falling apart?
This is usually a result of the mashed potatoes being too wet or thin. Make sure your mashed potatoes are thick and creamy before you mix in the other ingredients. If your mixture seems too soft, you can add a tablespoon or two of flour or a little more breadcrumb to help it bind.
Can I make this with freshly made mashed potatoes?
Yes, absolutely! Just be sure to let them cool down to room temperature before you start mixing in the other ingredients. This will make the mixture much easier to handle and roll into balls.
Can I skip the egg wash?
The egg wash is a crucial step that helps the breadcrumbs stick to the potato balls and gives them a beautiful, golden-brown crust. While you could try to make them without it, the breadcrumbs will likely fall off, and they won’t get as crispy.
Can I deep-fry them?
Yes, you can. Deep-frying will give you the crispiest, most classic result. Just be sure to use an oil with a high smoke point (like vegetable or canola oil) and do not overcrowd the pan. They will cook very quickly, so keep a close eye on them.
Conclusion: A Simple Idea, Perfectly Executed
These Crispy Potato Chicken Balls are a perfect example of a simple idea that results in an incredibly delicious and satisfying dish. They are a wonderful way to use up leftovers, a fantastic appetizer for any occasion, and a fun, hand-held snack that everyone will love.
With their crispy exterior and soft, savory interior, they are a little bit of comfort food magic in every single bite. So, the next time you have a few ingredients that need to be used, don’t just put them back in the fridge. Give this recipe a try and create something truly special. You’ll be so glad you did.