Chicken Cheese Balls

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Cups Chicken boiled and shredded. approx. 2 chicken breasts
• 2-3 Medium Potatoes boiled and mashed
• 2 Eggs boiled and mashed
• 2-3 Green Chilies chopped finely
• 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
• 1/4 tsp White Pepper Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp Mustard Paste
• 2 Tbsp Cornflour
• 3/4 Cup Cheddar Cheese grated
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Flour for coating
• 2 Cups Bread Crumbs for coating
• Oil for frying

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix together chicken, mashed potatoes and mashed eggs
2. Mix in all the seasoning along with cheese, green chillies and cornflour, until well combined
3. Using a cookie scoop, or roughly take 2 tablespoon of mixture. Roll it between your palms to make smooth balls.
4. Dredge the chicken balls into flour, dip in egg and roll in breadcrumbs. Then again in egg and bread crumbs. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
5. Heat oil over medium heat, about 2-inch deep to cover the balls halfway at least.
6. Gently add the chicken cheese balls into the oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry the balls until golden turning once or twice.
7. Using a slotted spoon remove from oil and drain on kitchen paper. Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

NOTES:

• To Bake – You can bake these chicken cheese instead for frying. simply spray them generously with cooking spray. Place them on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F until golden and crispy.
• To Make-ahead – Make the chicken cheese balls ahead of time and keep in the fridge. Cover with plastic until ready to fry. It can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To Freeze – You can freeze the chicken cheese balls either before coating or after coating. After coating in egg, flour and breadcrumbs place them in a dish and freeze until firm. Transfer into a ziplock bag. when ready to eat simply take out and fry in hot oil. don’t thaw. If freezing before coating, after taking out from freezer coat with flour, egg and breadcrumbs and fry.
• To Re-heat – These can easily be reheated in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Do not reheat using the microwave.
• Add More Cheese – To add a little more cheese, Take about 1-2 Tbsp of the chicken cheese ball mixture and spread it on your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the centre and roll it into a ball, coat and fry
• To customize – You can add in your favourite ingredients, swap shredded chicken, for chicken mince, add in vegetables or mushrooms. For a gluten-free version use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. For a vegetarian version skip the chicken and make potato cheese balls throw in your favourite vegetables.