Deep-Fried Creamy Chicken Gravy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 2 cups finely chopped, cooked chicken meat
• 1/2 cup finely chopped ham
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped Italian parsley
• Breading:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed for dredging
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Directions

Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until onions begin to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and cook until flour loses its raw taste, 3 or 4 minutes. Add black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper; stir. Remove from heat.

Pour milk into butter-onion mixture to make the bechamel sauce. Whisk until incorporated. Return pan to medium-high heat and continue whisking until mixture thickens, 1 or 2 minutes; continue to cook and stir 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salt.

Place chopped chicken, ham, and parsley in bowl. Add bechamel sauce and mix thoroughly. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 2 or 3 hours.

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place 1 cup flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls.

Scoop out chilled mixture into evenly-sized portions (about the size of a golf ball) to form croquettes. Roll balls first in flour, then in beaten eggs, and then in bread crumbs.

Fry croquettes in batches until crispy, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and transfer to rack.