Chicken Cheese Fritters – The Black Family Reunion Cookbook – Black Foodie Finder

Crispy Chicken Cheese Fritters with Creamy Pimiento Cheese Sauce

Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, Chicken Cheese Fritters combine chopped cooked chicken with a lightly seasoned batter before being fried until golden brown. Served with a rich, homemade pimiento cheese sauce, these savory fritters make an excellent appetizer, party snack, or family gathering favorite.

Featured in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook, this recipe reflects the cookbook’s celebration of comforting American classics that have long found a place at family reunions and holiday tables. With simple pantry ingredients and an easy-to-make cheese sauce, it’s a recipe designed for sharing.

Ingredients

Fritters

• Crisco Shortening or Crisco Oil for deep frying
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (5 ounces) boned chicken or
• ½ cup chopped cooked chicken or turkey
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion

Pimiento-Cheese Sauce

• 3 tablespoons Crisco Shortening
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups milk
• ½ cup (2 ounces) shredded processed American cheese
• 1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained

Makes: 24 fritters

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat 2 to 3 inches of Crisco Shortening or Crisco Oil to 365°F in a deep fryer or deep saucepan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir together the beaten egg, milk, chicken, and chopped onion, then add the mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix just until everything is moistened.
4. Drop tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying only a few at a time. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until the fritters are golden brown.
5. Remove the fritters and drain on paper towels.
6. To prepare the cheese sauce, melt the Crisco in a medium saucepan. Stir in the flour and salt, then gradually whisk in the milk.
7. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes thick and bubbly.
8. Stir in the shredded cheese and diced pimientos until the cheese has completely melted.
9. Serve the hot fritters with the warm pimiento-cheese sauce.

Pro Tips & Suggestions

• Use leftover roasted chicken or turkey for a flavorful shortcut.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the fritters light and tender.
• Maintain the oil at 365°F for evenly browned fritters that aren’t greasy.
• Serve the cheese sauce warm so it stays smooth and creamy.
• Pair with hot sauce or pepper jelly for an extra layer of Southern-inspired flavor.

About the Creator

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) compiled The Black Family Reunion Cookbook to preserve African American culinary traditions through treasured family recipes, regional specialties, and food memories shared by contributors from across the United States. The cookbook celebrates the importance of food in bringing families together while honoring generations of Black culinary heritage.

The Black Family Reunion Cookbook | National Council of Negro Women

Where to Find This Recipe

This recipe is adapted from The Black Family Reunion Cookbook: Recipes & Food Memories by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. The cookbook is a treasured collection of heritage recipes, family favorites, and regional specialties that celebrate African American cooking traditions and the joy of gathering around the table.