This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Chicken parmesan patties are a canned chicken breast, parmesan cheese, and baby spinach all mixed together and pan fried to perfection! Low in carbs and full of flavor, this quick and delicious recipe is the perfect use for canned chicken! 1 gram net carb per pattie.
When it comes to quick and easy low carb dinners, I’m partial to broccoli beef, chicken tenders, or these chicken parmesan patties.
My definition of a quick and easy dinner is one that can be whipped up in under 10 minutes, taste good, and leave me feeling satisfied after. This recipe came into play by accident.
I bought a can of what I thought was tuna, which turned out to be canned shredded chicken. I love sardines and love pretty much all tinned seafood, but chicken? Really?
After returning home from university one night, I was craving my curried tuna patties and reached for the can….of chicken.
This clearly wasn’t tuna and that is what I had set my heart on. Not one to ever waste food, I decided to adapt my curried tuna patties recipe and switch a few of the herbs, spices and added some cheese, and voila- what was a skeptical grocery item soon became my weekly staple.
These patties are so easy to make, and the chicken, once recooked, makes you forget it was earlier on, in a can. These patties are loaded with shredded vegetables which add texture and a nutritional punch. The parmesan cheese adds a golden, melted crust on the outside and a salty bite on the inside. The combination of spices is the final touch to make such a simple meal seem that much more.
Not only are these patties so easy to make, but they just happen to be keto, gluten free, and low carb, too!
How do you make chicken patties
The Ingredients
- Canned chicken breast– Use the plain canned chicken breast, the kind that is in springwater. Using flavored canned chicken will affect the flavor and texture of the chicken patties. Be sure to drain the chicken breast completely.
- Parmesan cheese– Gives the patties a delicious punch of flavor, and pairs well with the chicken.
- Shredded zucchini– Adds a boost of veggies to the recipe, but also helps hold the patties together. Squeeze out all extra moisture.
- Baby spinach– Chopped finely, the spinach provides extra nutrients, but also a delicious flavor to the patties.
- Egg– Binds the patties together. Do not omit.
- Salt and pepper– Only a little bit, as the parmesan cheese provides plenty of saltiness already.
The Instructions
Start by mixing together all your ingredients, until completely combined. Heat up a frying pan with oil on medium heat. When hot, form 4-5 patties and place on the hot pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, before carefully flipping the patties and cooking for a further 3 minutes, or until golden brown on either side. Remove from the pan and enjoy.
Can I use shredded chicken breast?
Yes, if the thought of canned chicken breast skeeves you out, you can certainly use shredded chicken breast.
For this recipe, I’d recommend half a pound (250 grams) of cooked chicken.
Can I make this in the air fryer?
If you’d like to make air fryer chicken patties, you can do so!
Simply prepare the patties as normal, but place them in the air fryer rack. Cook at 200C/400F for 12 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through.
Tips to make the best patties
- Be sure to remove as much excess liquid as possible, from both the chicken and the zucchini. These patties have no flour or grains to bind it together, instead, relying on the egg.
- Do not cook the patties on super high heat, as you risk the patties burning on the outside, but being super soft on the inside.
- If you’d prefer thicker and sturdier patties, you can add 1/4 cup coconut flour or almond flour.
- Chicken patties taste delicious hot or cold!
Storing and Freezing Patties
- To store: Leftover chicken patties can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: Freeze leftovers by placing the patties in a shallow container and storing in the freezer for up to 6 months.
What to serve patties with?
- Bread– For a low carb meal, serve patties with keto bread, keto biscuits, and keto tortillas.
- Salad– Pair a few patties with some broccoli salad, couscous salad, or a crunchy noodle salad.
- Vegetables– Cauliflower mac and cheese, roasted brussels sprouts, and even some buffalo cauliflower bites
Chicken Parmesan Patties
Ingredients
- 2 12.5 oz cans chicken breast
- 1/2 medium zucchini grated and liquid squeezed out
- 1/2 cup baby spinach finely chopped
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken breast, grated zucchini, baby spinach, and parmesan cheese, and mix well. Slowly add in the egg. Form 4-5 patties.
- Coat a frying pan with oil and heat up on medium. When hot, add your chicken patties and cook for 4-5 minutes, before carefully flipping and cooking for a further 4-5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
Very good. although I make them into meatballs. and bake 20-25 mins
What spices did you add Arman? I don’t see any spices in the recipe above.
Hi Reece- it’s super versatile, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, basil, etc are all fab additions.
I threw a a little gluten free flour in mine also. They taste good, my family loves them. I froze some for taking when I’m away from home. I have alpha gal & gluten allergy. Have to be so careful eating especially away from home. These are easy, great and a perfectly simple solution.
I threw a a little gluten free flour in mine also. They taste good, my family loves them. I froze some for taking when I’m away from home. I have alpha gal & have to be so careful eating especially away from home. These are easy, great and a perfectly simple solution.
Made this last night and it was fabulous! Served with mashed potatoes and salad. I enjoyed how easy it was to make, and the sauce while admittedly a bit oily, was very tasty!
Made this last night and it was fabulous! Served with mashed potatoes and salad. I enjoyed how easy it was to make, and the sauce while admittedly a bit oily, was very tasty!
Wow, I just made these chicken patties and they were really good! I did add a bit more zucchini, a bit of grated carrot & and extra egg (my egg’s were small) and it turned out really good and so easy! almost like a potato pancake but with chicken and veggies! Thanks for the recipe!
These were so good! I’m trying to use up random food (as in I’m way too lazy to go grocery shopping any more) and thought I’d do something with chicken and rice. Hubby’s not supposed to have milk products and they all have lots of cheese.
I came across this and we love salmon patties from canned salmon. I keep canned chicken on hand as a filler for soup or chili. I had one dry, cooked breast which I shredded so I only used one can. And I didn’t have zucchini so I used some shredded carrots with the spinach I had to pick out of my spring mix (lol). My party mix was really dry even with the tablespoon or so of mayo left in the bottle and didn’t stick well. Probably needed a second egg. ( I was already subbing in pumpkin for 2 of 4 eggs in the brownies I had to make for work tomorrow so I couldn’t spare another. Again, I found this recipe bc I have to go to grocery store)
Anyway, the point is the flavor was great and even though I wasn’t hungry at all there are no leftovers for lunch tomorrow and I will definitely make these again. I’ll also check out the other recipes. Maybe curried salmon patties will be next.
These are excellent!! I know I will be trying more of your recipes.
Thank you!
These were surprisingly delicious! I needed a quick recipe and didn’t even have most of the suggested ingredients! I had few greens, so threw in diced tomatoes, bell peppers, celary, shredded Italian cheese combo, fresh parmesano, and oregano.I used everything else as suggested. I barely coated the frying pan for the first batch, and slightly more fried the second batch, both tasted amazing. My daughter who despises canned chicken was shocked when I told her! This is a great recipe! It felt like a gourmet meal made in 10 minutes! Canned chicken, go figure! Try this!
Very easy. Tasty. Next time I might add onions. I’d add a picture if it’ll let me.
While I noticed some substantial differences, there was also some consistency.
These were very easy to put together and good too. Instead of spaghetti sauce I used pizza sauce. It gives it more of a tangy taste than the spaghetti sauce does. I also used 2 slices of mozzarella per patty. And to top it off I sprinkled chives on top. ��
Ok, so my husband bought about 6 cans of chicken. I took one look and thought “what in the hell am I supposed to do with this?”
Found your recipe but I kind of put my own spin on it. Letting you know up front that I didn’t measure anything, I just kind of threw it together and it tasted fantastic!
Canned chicken
Fresh cilantro
Ginger
Garlic
Chopped onion
Turmeric
Cumin
Black pepper
Breadcrumbs
Egg
😀 That sounds delicious!
Made this tonight. Came out very good. Bought the cans thinking it’s chicken of sea and realized too late it’s chicken:) thanks cz now I have a go to recipe for my canned chicken!
Hahahaha love it! THAT DARN NAME!!!!!! The number of times I have made that exact error…..