Coxinha (Chicken Croquettes)

• Prep time: 40 minutes

• Cook time: 25 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 05 minutes

• Servings: 6 servings (makes 12 coxinhas)

• Country of Origin: Brazil

• Description: Teardrop-shaped fried savory snacks made of dough filled with creamy, seasoned shredded chicken, encased in breadcrumbs and fried golden.

• Presentation & How It's Eaten: Served warm on paper-lined plates with hot sauce or cream cheese dip. Eaten by hand.

• Ingredients:

  • Filling:

    • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast

    • 1/2 cup creamy cream cheese or Catupiry

    • 1/2 small onion, finely diced

    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

    • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Dough:

    • 2 cups chicken broth

    • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour

    • 1/2 tsp salt

  • Coating:

    • 2 eggs, beaten

    • 1.5 cups fine breadcrumbs

    • Oil for deep frying

• Step-by-Step Directions:

  • Prepare Filling: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat; sauté onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Stir in shredded chicken, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese; let cool.

  • Make Dough: Bring chicken broth, butter, and salt to a boil in a pot. Reduce heat, pour in flour all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes until dough leaves sides of pot.

  • Knead: Transfer dough to a floured surface, let cool slightly, and knead for 3 minutes until smooth.

  • Assemble: Flatten golf-ball-sized pieces of dough into disks. Place 1 tbsp filling in center, pinch edges together at top to form a drumstick/teardrop shape.

  • Coat & Fry: Dip shaped coxinhas into beaten eggs, roll in breadcrumbs, and deep-fry in 350°F (175°C) oil for 4–5 minutes until deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

• Optional: Add a dash of hot sauce into chicken filling for extra kick.

• Cooking Tips: Seal dough edges tightly around filling to prevent oil from seeping inside during deep frying.

• Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: ~380 kcal

  • Total Fat: 18g

  • Saturated Fat: 7g

  • Cholesterol: 95mg

  • Sodium: 540mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 36g

  • Dietary Fiber: 2g

  • Sugars: 2g

  • Protein: 18g