These easy High-Protein Chicken Patties are a simple way to turn canned chicken into a delicious, filling meal.
Made with canned chicken, Colby Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg whites, and almond flour, these chicken patties come together with just a few basic ingredients and are cooked in a skillet until golden brown.
They’re also a great option when you want an easy meal without having to start with raw chicken.
I made 13 chicken patties with this recipe, making them perfect for dinner, meal prep, or having leftovers ready for another meal.
And with plenty of protein from the chicken, cheese, and egg whites, these patties are much more satisfying than they might look!
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Patties
- High in protein
- Uses convenient canned chicken
- Budget-friendly
- Only requires a few ingredients
- Easy to prepare
- Makes 13 patties
- Great for meal prep
- Can be served several different ways
- Family-friendly
- No oven required
Ingredients
Canned Chicken
I used three 12.5-ounce cans of Great Value chicken, drained very well.
This is one of the things I really like about this recipe. You don’t have to cook chicken ahead of time—the canned chicken makes the recipe incredibly convenient.
Amazon affiliate opportunity: This is a natural place for a canned chicken recommendation if you have an Amazon-available brand you personally like.
One thing I’d specifically mention in the post is:
Drain the chicken very well. Excess liquid can make the patties difficult to form and may cause them to fall apart while cooking.
Colby Jack Cheese
I used shredded Colby Jack, which adds both flavor and helps hold the patties together.
You could potentially substitute cheddar or another good melting cheese.
Egg Whites
Egg whites help bind the mixture together while adding additional protein.
Almond Flour
Almond flour helps give the patties structure without using traditional breadcrumbs.
If you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free, you could experiment with breadcrumbs, but I’d keep almond flour as the tested version since that’s what you actually made.
Amazon affiliate opportunity: Almond flour is a very reasonable affiliate link because it’s a pantry ingredient that people may specifically need to purchase for this recipe.
Parmesan Cheese
The Parmesan adds a little extra flavor and helps give the patties a savory, cheesy flavor.
Seasonings
You’ll need:
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
I love that these are simple pantry seasonings. There’s no need to buy a special seasoning blend.
Olive Oil
You’ll need approximately 1½ tablespoons of olive oil for cooking the patties in a skillet.
How to Make High-Protein Chicken Patties
1. Drain the chicken
Drain the canned chicken very well.
This step is important because excess moisture can make the mixture too wet.
You could even gently press the chicken against a strainer or use a clean paper towel to help remove additional moisture.
Amazon affiliate opportunity: A fine-mesh strainer/colander could be linked here, although I wouldn’t necessarily add one unless you have a product you genuinely like.
2. Make the chicken mixture
Add the drained chicken, shredded Colby Jack, egg whites, almond flour, Parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper to a large bowl.
Mix everything together until well combined.
Amazon affiliate opportunity: This is a great place for a large mixing bowl and/or silicone spatula recommendation.
3. Form the patties
Divide the mixture into approximately 13 portions and shape each portion into a patty.
Try to keep the patties relatively similar in size so they cook evenly.
If the mixture feels a little difficult to work with, slightly dampening your hands can make shaping the patties easier.
4. Cook the chicken patties
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Place the chicken patties into the skillet, leaving enough room between them to flip them easily.
Cook until the patties are golden brown and heated through, about 4 to 5 min each side, flipping carefully so they brown on both sides.
Since you’re working with canned chicken, the goal here isn’t to cook raw chicken—it is to heat the patties through and develop a nice golden-brown exterior.
5. Serve
Serve the chicken patties warm with your favorite sides.
What to Serve With Chicken Patties
This is where I think we can make the post more useful—and potentially increase the amount of time people spend on the page.
These chicken patties would be good with:
- Roasted potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- A simple salad
- Roasted vegetables
- In a wrap
- On a sandwich
- With a dipping sauce
You could also make them into a chicken patty bowl with rice, vegetables, and a sauce.
And since you already have the Chicken Broccoli Potato Bake post, we could link between the two:
Looking for another easy chicken dinner? Try my Chicken Broccoli Potato Bake for another simple meal made with chicken, vegetables, and potatoes.
That’s exactly the kind of internal linking I’d want on your site.
How to Store Chicken Patties
Store leftover chicken patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
They can be reheated in a skillet, microwave, or air fryer until warmed through.
Meal Prep
Because this recipe makes 13 patties, they’re also convenient for meal prep.
Cook the entire batch and portion them out for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Can You Freeze Chicken Patties?
Yes, these would be a good candidate for freezing.
Allow the cooked patties to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
For easier meal prep, place parchment paper between the patties so they don’t stick together.
Amazon affiliate opportunity: This is a good opportunity for freezer-related products such as reusable freezer containers or parchment paper, although again, I wouldn’t go crazy with links.
Variations
Use Cheddar Cheese
Swap the Colby Jack for shredded cheddar for a sharper flavor.
Add More Seasoning
You could add paprika, Italian seasoning, or a little dried parsley if you’d like to change the flavor.
Make Smaller Patties
Make smaller patties for appetizers or lunchbox portions.
Add a Sauce
Serve them with ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
How Much Protein Is in a Chicken Patty?
This is where I’d want to calculate the nutrition more precisely based on the exact brands you used, especially because you’re using Great Value canned chicken, Colby Jack, egg whites, almond flour, and Parmesan.
Since you made 13 patties, we can calculate the nutrition per patty rather than just giving a vague estimate for the whole recipe.
That will actually be a really useful selling point for the post.
FAQ
Are chicken patties high in protein?
Yes. These chicken patties get protein from canned chicken, egg whites, Colby Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese, making them a filling high-protein meal.
Can I use canned chicken to make chicken patties?
Absolutely. Canned chicken makes these patties quick and convenient because you don’t need to cook chicken before preparing the recipe.
Why are my chicken patties falling apart?
The biggest thing to check is moisture. Make sure you drain the canned chicken very well before mixing the ingredients. Also make sure the patties are firmly pressed together before placing them in the skillet.
Can I make chicken patties ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the patties ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook, or cook the entire batch and save the leftovers for later.
Can I freeze chicken patties?
Yes. Allow cooked patties to cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container.
