Breaded Chicken Breasts (2024)

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  1. Whisk eggs and set out breading:

    In a shallow dish, whisk eggs with teaspoon salt; let stand 5 minutes. In another shallow dish, season flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a third shallow dish, season breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon salt.

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  2. Prep chicken cutlets:

    In a large cast-iron skillet or other heavy deep skillet, heat oil over medium. Meanwhile, pat chicken dry with paper towels.

    Coat in flour, shaking off excess.

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    Then dip in egg (letting excess drip off).

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    Dredge in breadcrumbs, turning twice and patting to adhere.

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  3. Cook chicken cutlets:

    Increase heat to medium-high. Working in batches, add chicken to skillet; cook, gently shaking skillet occasionally, until chicken is browned, about 4 minutes.

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    Turn with tongs; cook until browned and opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes more (if browning too quickly, lower heat).

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    Between batches, skim off brown crumbs from oil with a slotted spoon. Drain chicken on paper towels; season with salt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get breading to stick to chicken?

In the traditional three-step process for breading chicken, each layer helps the next layer adhere. A thin layer of flour helps the beaten egg stick, and the egg is what makes the outer layer of breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.

Do you put flour or egg first when breading chicken?

You should always start with a layer of flour. This helps absorb moisture on the surface of the chicken, which would keep the breading from sticking and make a mess in the hot oil. The flour also gives the egg something to cling to—otherwise it would slide right off the chicken.

Do you need flour for breaded chicken?

The most traditional way to make breaded cutlets is the three-step coating process that begins with flour. However, there are other methods and ingredients that will allow your breading to evenly coat and stick to the chicken. Breading also sticks well to cutlets that have first been marinated in buttermilk or yogurt, or coated in mayonnaise.

Can you use milk instead of eggs?

As long as you coat the cutlets in a layer of flour first, you can substitute milk in place of eggs for the next layer. The combination of flour and milk will create a sticky coating that breadcrumbs can adhere to.

Can you use panko instead of breadcrumbs?

Panko, the light and flaky Japanese-style breadcrumbs you can purchase at most grocery stores, is a great substitute for fresh breadcrumbs.

Can I use seasoned breadcrumbs?

As long as you like the flavor, have fun mixing it up with all kinds of breadcrumbs!

How do I know when the chicken is ready?

The foolproof way to ensure doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, remove it from the pan. Allow it to rest 5 minutes, during which time the carryover cooking should have brought the temperature up to 165 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer handy, slice into a cutlet with a paring knife: the juices should run clear, not pink.

How do I keep breadcrumbs from sticking to my fingers?

This is a job for tongs! A few sets of short tongs are an affordable and worthwhile investment. Designate one pair of tongs for each layer of coating to avoid sticky buildup.

Try These Other Breaded Chicken Breast Recipes:

Breaded Chicken Breasts (2024)

FAQs

What is the order of Breadcrumbing chicken? ›

First, the raw chicken is lightly coated in flour, which absorbs excess moisture and helps the next layer adhere. Second, the chicken is dipped in beaten egg. And third, the cutlet is coated in fresh breadcrumbs, which cling evenly to both sides thanks to the coating of egg.

How to keep breading from falling off chicken breast? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

How many calories does a breaded chicken breast have? ›

Breaded Fried Chicken Breast (1 small breast (yield after cooking, bone removed)) contains 17.8g total carbs, 17.2g net carbs, 20.6g fat, 42.4g protein, and 436 calories.

Should you dip chicken in flour before breadcrumbs? ›

Coat the chicken in the seasoned flour, then the egg wash, and lastly the breadcrumbs. 4. To cook, in a large pan add the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes per side depending on it's thickness, or until internal temperature is 165 degrees.

What makes breading stick better? ›

When it comes to breading meat, most breading procedures are basically the same. But taking the extra time to soak your meat in buttermilk and let the flour set will ensure that your breading is fully adhered for the perfect breaded pork chops or breaded chicken.

How to get breadcrumbs to stick to chicken without eggs? ›

This easy chicken recipe is made with my favorite secret ingredient – ranch dressing! No need for the traditionally egg wash used by most recipes. Not only does the ranch dressing act as the binding agent for the breadcrumbs but it also adds an insane amount of flavor and keeps the chicken MOIST!

Why do my bread crumbs fall off the chicken? ›

You may even want to lay it out on a sheet tray in your fridge for an hour or so to make sure it's thoroughly dry. Then dip it in egg, dip it in flour, dip it in egg, dip it in breadcrumb, etc. The reason the breading falls off is because moisture in or on the chicken separates it from the chicken while it's cooking.

Why does my breading not stick to my chicken? ›

Meat is not properly dry

Most home cooks often struggle with getting the breading part right because they do not let their meat dry properly. If the meat is wet, it will make the flour soggy. In that case, breading will not stick properly and may fall off when deep frying.

Is breaded chicken unhealthy? ›

No matter what the dredge (the dry coating that turns crispy when fried), you are looking at some pretty high levels of refined carbs - whether the standard flour-based coating, breaded chicken found in many supermarkets, or even homestyle versions made with cornflakes, there's no getting away from the carby elephant ...

What is the healthiest way to eat chicken? ›

Choosing healthy, lower heat cooking methods, including poaching, steaming, boiling, or roasting at moderate temperatures, may help minimize these risks while preserving the chicken's nutritional value. National Library of Medicine. Daily fried chicken serving linked to 13% higher risk of death.

How many calories should I eat a day? ›

On average, women need about 1,600 to 2,400 calories each day, and men need 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day -- based on age and activity level. If you figure out that you need 2,000 calories per day, then you need to keep your calorie intake about equal with that number.

Why is my breading not sticking to chicken? ›

Meat is not properly dry

Most home cooks often struggle with getting the breading part right because they do not let their meat dry properly. If the meat is wet, it will make the flour soggy. In that case, breading will not stick properly and may fall off when deep frying.

What helps breadcrumbs stick? ›

Make sure that you have the essential elements of a good crumb, flour first, then an egg wash (this can be a combination such as egg and milk), and finally your crumbs. The flour helps to seal in moisture and protect the food from the high cooking heat. The type of crumbs that you use is important.

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