Go Back

Crispy Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken

Tender chicken marinated in dill pickle juice and coated with crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
  • 1 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs preferably seasoned or panko
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking oil vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for frying

Equipment

  • Large bowl or resealable bag
  • Three shallow bowls for breading
  • large skillet
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • paper towels

Method
 

  1. Place chicken breasts in a large bowl or resealable bag and add dill pickle juice. Make sure chicken is completely submerged. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls for breading. In the first bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, beat the eggs until combined. In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, onion powder, and paprika.
  3. Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches frying temperature. Test by dropping in a breadcrumb - it should sizzle immediately.
  4. Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess pickle juice. Pat lightly with paper towels. Working with one breast at a time, dredge in seasoned flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Carefully place breaded chicken in hot oil without crowding the pan. Fry for 5-7 minutes on the first side without moving. Flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate in airtight container for 3-4 days. Freeze individually wrapped pieces for up to 2 months. Reheating: Use oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes on a wire rack for crispy results. Avoid microwave as it makes coating soggy. Baking Option: Place breaded chicken on greased baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Air Fryer: Cook at 380°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Variations: Use chicken thighs, make into tenders, add cayenne for heat, serve on buns for sandwiches, or double-dip for extra thick crust. Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. Tips: Pound chicken to even thickness, let breaded chicken rest 10 minutes before frying, don't overcrowd pan, use instant-read thermometer.