Save This Recipe
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Y’all, this is fried comfort with a little kick.
Let me set the scene: it was one of those Saturdays where the fridge was half-empty but the pickle jar was still full. You know the kind. I had some chicken breasts, a carton of eggs, and the usual odds and ends. Wasn’t in the mood for a boring ol’ grilled chicken situation.
Then I saw those dill pickles sittin’ in the back of the fridge, just mindin’ their business—and I thought, Why not toss ’em in with some chicken and see what happens?
Well, what happened was magic. Crispy edges. Juicy middle. That tangy dill punch that cuts right through the richness and makes you go, “Hold on now… what is this?”
These fritters hit that Southern sweet spot: they’re humble, fried, and absolutely irresistible.
Why You’ll Fall Hard for These Fritters
-
That tang! Dill pickles give it a twang that just pops.
-
Crunch factor. A crispy little golden edge with every bite.
-
Easy as pie. No marinating, no fuss—just chop, mix, fry.
-
Crowd-pleaser. Even picky eaters ask for seconds. Trust me.
-
Totally adaptable. Spice it up, bake instead of fry, toss in cheese—whatever your heart (or pantry) desires.
Let’s Talk Ingredients (and a Few Friendly Swaps)
-
Chicken: Boneless, skinless breasts work great—just chop ’em up fine. If thighs are more your style, go ahead. Some folks even use cooked rotisserie chicken and it still works like a charm.
-
Pickles: Dill is the classic, but if you’re feelin’ wild, try spicy pickles or even bread-and-butter ones. Just make sure they’re chopped small so you get pickle in every bite.
-
Flour & Cornmeal: This duo gives you that perfect Southern crunch. If you’re gluten-free, use a good 1:1 GF flour blend. And if you don’t have cornmeal? Just add a little extra flour, no stress.
-
Seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne… the holy trinity of “flavor without the fuss.” Adjust the heat to your liking—I keep it mild for the grandkids, but you can kick it up.
-
Eggs & Milk: They bring everything together and keep it moist. Buttermilk is even better if you have some on hand.
-
Oil for Frying: Vegetable oil is just fine. You don’t need a deep fryer—just enough in the pan to get a good shallow fry.
How To Make ’Em Without Losing Your Mind
-
Start with the good stuff. Toss your chopped chicken and pickles into a big mixing bowl. Don’t overthink it.
-
Dry mix: In another bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and a good pinch of salt and pepper.
-
Combine: Mix the dry stuff into the chicken and pickles. Give it a little love with a spoon until it’s all coated.
-
Wet mix: Beat the eggs and milk together in a cup or small bowl, then pour it into your chicken mixture. Stir it all up until it’s sticky but not soupy.
-
Fry ‘em up: Heat your oil in a big ol’ skillet over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan—don’t crowd ’em—and gently flatten ’em with the back of your spoon.
-
Flip and finish: Fry 3–4 minutes per side, until they’re golden and cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when they feel firm and smell like heaven.
-
Rest and resist: Set ’em on paper towels to drain. Don’t eat one straight out of the pan unless you wanna burn your tongue (voice of experience here).
-
Serve hot: With ranch. Or spicy mayo. Or that comeback sauce from the grocery store. Honestly, they don’t need much.
Little Tweaks to Make ’Em Your Own
-
Want ‘em spicier? Add more cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.
-
Craving cheese? Toss in a handful of shredded cheddar or pepper jack.
-
Going gluten-free? Use a GF flour blend, no problem.
-
Trying to be “healthy?” Bake ’em at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t be as crispy, but still mighty tasty.
Storing Leftovers (If You Even Have Any)
Pop leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. They’ll be good for 2–3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F until warmed through and crisp again—takes about 8–10 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch, but they’ll be softer.
Wanna freeze ‘em? Lay ’em out on a tray, freeze solid, then bag ‘em up. They’ll keep for a couple months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven or air fryer. Easy-peasy.
Alright, Friend—Your Turn
These little fritters are weirdly addictive. There’s just something about that combo of chicken, pickle, and crispy crust that keeps you coming back for “just one more.” They feel familiar, but with a twist. Southern with a wink. And honestly, isn’t that the kind of food we all need more of?
So try ‘em out. Make a batch for your family, your church potluck, or just yourself on a quiet Tuesday night. And if you do? Come back and tell me how it went. I love hearing your stories—what you added, what you skipped, who licked the plate clean.
You bring the pickle juice, I’ll bring the stories.
See y’all soon.
~ Marlene
Southern-Style Dill Pickle Chicken Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts finely chopped
- 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the finely chopped chicken and dill pickles.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Add the dry ingredients to the chicken and pickle mixture, stirring until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Pour the egg mixture into the chicken mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the chicken mixture into the skillet, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon.
- Fry the fritters for about 3–4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the fritters from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition