Cheesy Chicken Rissoles

An epicurean adventure to: Australia

Not your average chicken rissoles recipe, we'll have you know. We’re adding roasted peppers from a jar and lots and lots of cheese - oh yes!

It's the ultimate dump-and-go recipe: Add all the ingredients in a bowl, mix, shape, fry and tuck in!

Perfect for a quick weeknight meal and they’re surprisingly delicious cold - make them itty bitty for cute picnic bites!

We can vouch that this Cypriot grain salad is the perfect pairing with chicken rissoles and our go-to combo every time. Don't forget some crispy bread rolls too!

Fast facts - Australia

Key ingredient notes and substitutions

**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe and list of ingredients.

Chicken mince

Chicken mince gives rissoles a smoother, more cohesive texture than shredded chicken.

It binds better with other ingredients, making the rissoles hold together well during cooking.

Shredded chicken can make them fall apart and result in a less even and drier texture.

Roasted red peppers

This recipe uses jarred roasted peppers, preserved in oil, for their sweet, slightly smoky flavour.

They add much more flavour than fresh bell peppers. Plus, the pepper-flavoured oil clinging to them infuses the ingredients as they cook.

Look for them near the sun-dried tomatoes in the supermarket.

Herbs and spices

We suggest dried parsley because it's always on hand but you can use fresh, chopped parsley if you prefer.

Alternatively, try other herbs like basil, coriander, or dill.

Don't forget a very generous amount of freshly ground black pepper too!

Panko breadcrumbs

We prefer using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs because they create a lighter, crispier texture.

However, regular breadcrumbs work just fine if you prefer them!

For a gluten-free version, swap the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Cheddar cheese

The pièce de résistance! While we prefer cheddar, any strong, grating cheese will work perfectly.

You can even add extra grated parmesan for an *extra* cheesy kick.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Drain the roasted peppers and dice them into 1cm cubes. Don't worry about the excess oil clinging to the peppers, it adds to the flavour.

2. Add the chicken mince, roasted peppers, grated cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl.

3. Using your hands, loosely mix the ingredients until evenly combined. Avoid compressing the mixture, keep it loose.

4. Form the mixture into small patties about 1.5 cm thick using your hands. For precision, use roughly 100g portions to make about 8 rissoles.

5. Heat the oil in a large frying pan.

6. Fry 4-5 rissoles at a time over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes per side until well browned and cooked through. Keep the lid on for even cooking and to avoid splatters.

7. Remove the first batch from the pan and repeat with the remaining rissoles. Enjoy them hot with your favourite sauce and a crisp green salad.

Make-ahead

You can prepare these rissoles a day in advance.

To reheat, place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 15-20 minutes, or microwave in a covered bowl for 2-3 minutes.

Alternatively, shape the patties ahead of time and refrigerate uncooked until ready to fry.

Storage

Chicken rissoles can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

To reheat, place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 15-20 minutes, or microwave in a covered bowl for 2-3 minutes.

Alternatively, shape the patties ahead of time and refrigerate uncooked until ready to fry.

Freezing

Rissoles freeze well for up to three months.

Remove them from the freezer a day before use and thaw in the fridge. Once thawed, reheat using the instructions provided above.

What to serve with chicken rissoles

• These rissoles pair wonderfully with homemade honey mustard sauce. Simply mix 100g of mayonnaise, 20g of wholegrain mustard, 20g of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon juice for a quick and tasty dip.

• Other sauces like sweet chilli sauce, red chimichurri, garlic aioli or tomato sauce.

• Serve with a crunchy green salad like Taboule, Cypriot grain salad, Jerusalem salad, Panzanella Toscana salad, rainbow salad or this healthy brown rice salad.

• Potato salad or a cold pasta salad like this creamy Italian Pasta Salad.

• In a bread roll or with crusty ciabatta.

• Chips, sweet potato fries, green beans, spicy Nando's rice, mashed potato or carrot and swede mash.