Description
This Best Crispy Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken combines tender chicken with a magical blend of crispy goodness and tangy dill pickle flavor. Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch and bold flavor, making it a crave-worthy meal for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (butterflied and pounded to ½-inch thickness)
- ½ cup dill pickle brine
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2–3 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Cooking oil (for pan-frying, vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken – Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and butterfly them open if thick. Place each piece between plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag and pound to an even ½-inch thickness. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Marinate (Optional, but Recommended) – Place the pounded chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour ½ cup of dill pickle brine over the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 3: Set Up Your Dredging Station – Prepare three shallow dishes: In the first dish, combine all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. In the second dish, crack the eggs, add 2 tablespoons of dill pickle brine, and Dijon mustard, and whisk. In the third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped dill, remaining garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 4: Breading the Chicken – Remove chicken from the pickle brine, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, then dip in the egg wash, and finally press into the panko-Parmesan mixture. Place on a clean plate or wire rack.
- Step 5: Cook the Chicken – For pan-frying, heat ½ inch of cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. For baking, preheat oven to 400°F, arrange chicken on a wire rack, spray with oil, and bake for 20-25 minutes. For air frying, preheat air fryer to 375°F and air fry for 12-15 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve – Let the cooked chicken rest for a minute before serving. Garnish with fresh dill and extra grated Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-frying, Baking, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Pound the chicken thin for even cooking. Use dill pickle brine for flavor and moisture. Ensure firm breading by pressing it onto the chicken. Avoid overcrowding the pan or air fryer, and maintain oil temperature for best results.