Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe

Intro

There is something distinct about those old-time foods that transport us to the days of simpler times, the ones that take you back to family road trips, diner counters, and home foods that never went out of style.

Any person who has ever had the pleasure of dining at Howard Johnson’s will likely recall one thing distinctly, and that is their Chicken Croquettes. Fried on the surface and velvety and tender on the inside, and that old-fashioned smooth chicken gravy on it,–it was tongue-tossing nostalgia.

The recipe is an imitation of the Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe, the time-tested staple of the American drive-up dining scene in the golden age of the American roadside restaurant chain.

What Are Howard Johnson’s Chicken Croquettes?

Chicken croquettes are simply golden breaded rolls of creamy chicken mix, deep fried or baked to a crispy texture, and served with smooth gravy.

Their chicken croquettes became famous with Howard Johnson, which started as an ice cream stand in the 1920s and became one of the largest restaurant chains in America. 

Their filling was particularly smooth, a mixture of finely chopped chicken and smooth béchamel, rolled up into logs, covered with breadcrumbs, and fried to a golden brown.

It was the supreme solace food – soft, smooth, and so delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe

• It is nothing more than nostalgia, a retro to mid-century dining at its finest.
• The crunchiness on the outside, creamy and rich on the inside, is flawless.
• Works with leftovers -rotisserie or cooked chicken may be used.
• Make-ahead friendly – form and refrigerate the croquettes, and then refrigerate and fry.
• Comfort food to the crowd – ideal dinner at home with family or a retro night.

Equipment You’ll Need

Not fancy, just basic kitchen necessities:

• A big saucepan or deep frying pan.
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon
• A food processor or a knife to chop chicken in a fine manner.
• Dredging bowls (flour, egg, breadcrumbs) are shallow ones.
• A chilling baking sheet is used to chill croquettes.
• Frying pan or deep fryer.

Ingredients

The ingredients required in the Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe are as follows:

For the Filling:

• 2 cups finely cooked chicken (a mixture of white and dark meat is preferable)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons of general flour.
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup whole milk or cream
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley (optional to add some brightness)

For Breading:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1½ cups fine breadcrumbs

For Frying:

• Deep frying oil (vegetable or canola oil is preferable)
• For Classic Chicken Gravy:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions for Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe

1. Prepare the Creamy Chicken Base.

Bring butter to a boil in a saucepan. Add flour and cook 1 minute until it is bubbled and not brown – this is your roux.

Add the chicken broth and milk and whisk slowly until smooth. Cook until it becomes a rich velvety sauce.

Add chopped chicken, onion powder, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and parsley. Combine all the ingredients.

You want a dense blend that keeps its form together – almost chicken salad steamed by gravy.

2. Chill the Mixture

Pour the chicken mixture into a shallow plate or baking dish, cover it, and leave it in the refrigerator at least 2 hours (better in the night).

The step will assist in solidifying the mixture, to be molded easily later on.

3. Shape the Croquettes

After cooling it down, pour it into equal parts. Form each piece into a small log or oval shape -approximately 2-3 inches long.

These must be felt smooth and compact and without crumbling.

4. Bread the Croquettes

Prepare a breading station: a bowl of flour, a bowl of beaten eggs, and a bowl of breadcrumbs.

Roll the croquette in flour, then in egg, and lastly coat with breadcrumbs.

To achieve an additional crunch, go through the egg and breadcrumb process once again – twice the breading will make them have that typical diner crunch.

5. Fry Until Golden

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Soda the croquettes in batches of about 3 or 4 minutes each side, or till golden brown and crispy.

Put them on paper towels to dry up the excess oil.

You may also bake them at 400 F 20-25 minutes, in which case they will be lighter.

6. Make the Chicken Gravy

Melt butter in a small saucepan and combine with flour. Cook for about 1 minute.

Gradually pour chicken broth and milk, whisking until they are smooth and thick.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Before serving, pour this creamy gravy over your golden croquettes.

How to Serve It (Just Like Howard Johnson’s)

They were served at Howard Johnson’s in pairs or groups of three and placed on a plate, covered with creamy chicken gravy and semely so, with mashed potatoes, peas, or buttered carrots.

To be able to reproduce that experience at home:

• Serve 2 croquettes per person.
• Add a spoonful of gravy on top and allow it to drip down the sides.
• Top with a scoop of mashed potatoes and peas.
• Add fresh parsley to add a little color.
• Boom – you’ve got one diner style of a perfect plate.

Flavor Tips & Tricks

Texture is important: Chop your chicken fine, not pureed it but in small portions.

Preparation: The croquettes can be prepared and refrigerated 24 hours before frying.

Finer coating: Before frying the breaded croquettes, chill the coating for 15 minutes, also, to aid the adhesion of the coating.

Season your gravy: Add a pinch of poultry seasoning, and it has the same Howard Johnson taste.

Leftover tip: Use the oven at 350 to reheat leftovers; it will make them crispy. Do not use a microwave!

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

To refrigerate: Keep the cooked croquettes in a closed container for not more than 3 days.

Freezing: Place croquettes, which are still unbaked, on a tray, and place them into a freezer bag. Cooking right out of the frozen package, it will require 2 to 3 minutes.

To reheat: Heat in a 350°F oven, 10-12 minutes, until hot.

A Little History Bite

Howard Johnson was once the roadhouse of America, with its 28 flavors of ice cream and bright orange roofs that were found on the highways all through the country.

However, the Chicken Croquettes were a favorite on the menu.

They represented that postwar concept of home cooking out of home, wholesome, uncomplicated, and cozy. It was the first experience of many travelers of the homestyle comfort after long drives. And even though the chain is dead, the recipe is still an American classic.

Variations You Can Try For Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe

Want to mix it up a little? These are some of the variations of the original:

Turkey Croquettes: Replace the spread with Thanksgiving meat.

Herbed Version: You can use fresh thyme or sage in the filling to give it an aroma.

Homies Croquettes: Add a bit of shredded cheddar or Parmesan to get a cheesy surprise.

Mini Croquettes: Prepare small croquettes as snacks or appetizers.

Oven-Baked Croquettes: Omit the oil and bake instead, and it will be light and still crispy.

My Personal Note

It is sort of a therapeutic process to make them. Their gradual and painstaking molding, the golden crackle of their frying – it almost stops the clock for a minute.

The first time I made these, the aroma was so strong that I barely needed to taste one of them; buttery, savory, and reminiscent. That was my first bite, and it felt like going back to the memory of road trips with my grandparents and going to small diners with neon lights and paper menus.

That is what food such as this does: it fills your heart as much as your stomach.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Mixture too soft? Add 1 T flour or chill.
• Burger crumbling during frying? Chill them and fry, and make the oil hot.
• Too bland? Sprinkle filling with a pinch of salt, powdered garlic, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
• Gravy too thick? Add additional broth or milk until smooth.

Final Thoughts

The Howard Johnson Chicken Croquettes Recipe is not merely dinner; it is a taste of American history. It is creamy, crispy, and comforting simultaneously, and it is an indication that simple food is timeless.

And the next time you feel like having something warm and retro, forget about ordering it, prepare these croquettes, prepare that golden gravy, and eat them with affection. You will think you have just reopened a small part of Howard Johnson in your own home kitchen.

More Delicious Recipes:

• Red Robin Mud Pie Recipe
• Mazzio’s Ranch Dressing Recipe
• Golden Corral Mashed Potatoes Recipe