Chicken-Ham Croquettes

Ingredients

1/2 cup finely diced country ham
1 1/2 cups whole milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
1 sprig thyme
Large pinch of cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Vegetable oil, for brushing and frying
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
3 large eggs
Honey mustard, for dipping

Directions

Put the ham and 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl; refrigerate 1 hour. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots, celery, garlic, thyme sprig, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes; discard the thyme. Add the flour and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk; cook, whisking, until thick, 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.

Transfer the chilled mixture to a food processor and pulse until almost smooth. Add the chicken and 1/2 teaspoon salt; pulse until the meat is finely ground. Drain the ham and add to the food processor along with the parsley; pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Brush a baking sheet with vegetable oil. With lightly oiled hands, shape the chicken mixture into about twenty 2-to-3-inch croquettes. Transfer to the baking sheet and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Spread the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish; whisk the eggs in another dish. Dip the croquettes in the eggs, then coat in the breadcrumbs; return to the baking sheet. Cover and chill until ready to fry.

Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the croquettes until browned, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm or at room temperature with honey mustard.

Total Time: 2 hr 10 min
Prep: 1 hr 50 min
Cook: 20 min
Yield: about 20 croquettes
Level: Easy

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