I recently took on the challenge of making a fricassee cake. When I first saw the ingredients and directions, I knew it would require effort and a bit of creativity, which I honestly enjoy. I found this recipe on several of my favorite blogs and was intrigued—I’d never heard of a fricassee cake with chicken before! So, I decided to try my own version with chicken. It’s a soft cake filled with a creamy, tasty chicken filling, and I think it’s worth every bit of work in the kitchen.

I chose chicken because I’ve made chicken fillings before and feel comfortable with it. Plus, I really enjoy the taste of chicken tenders with creamy sauces.

The recipe turned out just right! I ended up making six small cakes because my skillet was small, and six was perfect for me and my husband. Our little one isn’t a fan of spicy food yet, so this batch was just for us. I still have some batter left in the fridge for another day, which makes it easier for a quick meal later.

I like to add jalapenos for a bit of spice, but that’s optional. You can leave them out and still enjoy a delicious fricassee cake with just the creamy chicken filling inside.

What is a fricassee cake?

A fricassee cake is a unique dish that combines the concept of fricassee—a cooking method typically involving meat (often chicken) in a creamy sauce—with a soft, cake-like base. Unlike a dessert cake, this is a savory treat, where the “cake” is more like a thick, fluffy pancake or savory pastry. It’s filled with a rich, creamy mixture, often made with chicken, and can include vegetables, spices, or even a touch of heat from jalapenos.

The batter cooks in a skillet or pan and surrounds the filling, creating a warm, comforting cake with a delicious, creamy center. It’s a creative twist on fricassee, making it more portable and fun to eat, while still delivering that comforting, creamy flavor of a traditional fricassee dish.

How To Make Fricassee Cake With Chicken

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Fricassee Filling:

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1/2 cup cream cheese or heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped jalapeños (for a bit of spice)

For the Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk or buttermilk
2 tablespoons melted butter or oil

Fricassee Cake With Chicken Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Filling

Step 1:
Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Stir in the cooked chicken and chicken broth, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 2:
Add the cream cheese (or heavy cream) and stir until the mixture becomes creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and jalapeños (if using).

Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.

Make the Batter

Step 1:
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 2:
In another bowl, beat the egg with milk and melted butter or oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but pourable.

Assemble and Cook the Fricassee Cakes

Step 1:
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with oil or butter. Pour a small amount of batter into the skillet to form a pancake-like base.

Step 2:
Place a spoonful of the chicken filling in the center, then pour a bit more batter on top to cover. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and the batter begins to set around the edges, about 2-3 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Repeat with remaining batter and filling.

Serve

Serve these savory cakes warm, with a side of salad, or enjoy them as a satisfying snack!

Pro Tips

If you have time, marinate the chicken in a mixture of garlic, herbs, and a bit of lemon juice for 30 minutes to an hour. This will infuse extra flavor into the chicken and enhance the overall taste of the fricassee.
Shred the cooked chicken finely to ensure it’s well distributed throughout the cake. This will give every bite a balanced taste of chicken and filling.
If you enjoy a spicy kick, go for fresh jalapenos and leave some seeds for extra heat. For a milder flavor, deseed the jalapenos, or substitute with bell peppers.

FAQ

What kind of chicken works best for this recipe?
You can use either cooked, shredded chicken breast or thigh meat. Rotisserie chicken is also a great option for convenience, as it’s already cooked and flavorful.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the chicken with sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or even a meat alternative like tofu or tempeh. You can add extra spices to boost flavor if needed.

How spicy are these fricassee cakes with jalapenos?
The spiciness depends on whether you include the jalapeno seeds. For milder cakes, remove the seeds; for extra heat, leave them in or add a bit of chili powder to the batter.

How do I make the cakes more cheesy?
To boost cheesiness, add shredded cheese directly into the batter. You can also sprinkle cheese on top before finishing the cakes in the oven or skillet for a gooey layer.

Fricassee Cake With Chicken Recipe

Recipe by JoleeCourse: SIDESCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

270

kcal

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken Fricassee Filling:
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1/2 cup cream cheese or heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped jalapeños (for a bit of spice)
For the Batter:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk or buttermilk
2 tablespoons melted butter or oil

Directions

Prepare the Chicken Filling
Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Stir in the cooked chicken and chicken broth, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cream cheese (or heavy cream) and stir until the mixture becomes creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and jalapeños (if using).
Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.
Make the Batter
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, beat the egg with milk and melted butter or oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but pourable.
Assemble and Cook the Fricassee Cakes
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with oil or butter. Pour a small amount of batter into the skillet to form a pancake-like base.
Place a spoonful of the chicken filling in the center, then pour a bit more batter on top to cover. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and the batter begins to set around the edges, about 2-3 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Repeat with remaining batter and filling.
Serve these savory cakes warm, with a side of salad, or enjoy them as a satisfying snack!

Notes

Marinate the Chicken for Extra Flavor: If you have time, marinate the chicken in a mixture of garlic, herbs, and a bit of lemon juice for 30 minutes to an hour. This will infuse extra flavor into the chicken and enhance the overall taste of the fricassee.
Use Shredded Chicken for Even Distribution: Shred the cooked chicken finely to ensure it’s well distributed throughout the cake. This will give every bite a balanced taste of chicken and filling.
Spice Level: If you enjoy a spicy kick, go for fresh jalapenos and leave some seeds for extra heat. For a milder flavor, deseed the jalapenos, or substitute with bell peppers.