Crispy Feta Chicken Croquettes with a Mandarin Orange Sauce

Vee Lark-Williams
Los Angeles, CA 

Chicken Croquettes:
1 1/2 pounds Foster Farms chicken tenders, diced into ¼” cubes
1 cup bread crumbs
3 Tbls chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbls onion, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup Feta cheese crumbles
3 Tbls butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup half and half
1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mandarin Orange Sauce:
2 cans (15 oz each) Mandarin oranges
2 Tbls cornstarch
2 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbls sugar
1/2 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
2 Tbls rice wine vinegar

In large bowl, combine chicken, bread crumbs, cilantro, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, paprika, allspice, salt, mayonnaise, Feta cheese, butter, egg and half and half.  Combine mixture well.  Form chicken mixture into patties, approximately 3/4” thick and 3” in diameter.  Place panko in pie plate; dredge patties in panko to lightly coat. 

In heavy skillet over medium-high heat, warm vegetable oil.  Place patties in skillet and cook, turning, about 3 minutes per side or until chicken is done.  Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Serve topped with Mandarin Orange Sauce.

Prepare Mandarin orange sauce by combining in large saucepan, the juice from the two cans of oranges (reserve oranges), cornstarch, soy sauce, cinnamon, sugar, orange zest, ginger and rice wine vinegar.  Stir over medium heat until thickened, about 2 minutes.  Remove mixture from heat and add reserved oranges.