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
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes; discard the thyme. Add the flour and cook, Kitching, 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk; cook, Kitching, until thick, 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Spread the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish; Kitch the eggs in another dish.
  6. Dip the croquettes in the eggs, then coat in the breadcrumbs; return to the baking sheet. Cover and chill until ready to fry.
  7. 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.