Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This crispy fried chicken breast recipe is topped with arugula, shaved parmesan cheese, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette – one of the best chicken recipes!

We love to serve this fried chicken breast with roasted brussel sprouts or baked asparagus making it one of our go-to dinner ideas.

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (1)

A New Favorite

Today’s Crispy Chicken with Arugula recipe is so tasty and simple! It might even be my new favorite dinner recipe!

The chicken breast is SO flavorful, and when you add some delicious salad with shaved parmesan and a lemon vinaigrette, it’s irresistible.

The breading process can take some time, but it’s what makes it soooo good, so be sure to follow the steps in order, and you’ll have a beautiful piece of crispy chicken.

I’m usually not a fan of arugula by itself. It has a really pungent flavor, and typically it’s mixed in with other greens. But in this case, it compliments the flavor of the chicken and the lemon vinaigrette perfectly!

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (2)

how to fry chicken breast

  1. MARINATE.Place the raw chicken breasts in a Ziploc bag with buttermilk for 30-60 minutes.
  2. BREAD.Create breading process with 3 separate shallow dishes or bowls. In the first dish, mix flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp pepper. In the second dish, mix egg and 1 TB water. And in the third dish, mix Panko, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper.
  3. DREDGE. Coat chicken in flour (first dish), dredge in egg mixture (second dish) then coat in panko (third dish). TIP: Dredge means to completely coat the chicken in the ingredient so it sticks effectively and ensures an even cook. Repeat with each chicken breast and place on a baking sheet.
  4. FRY. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt butter and olive oil.Place 2 chicken breasts in the pan and brown (about three minutes on each side). continue cooking until chicken is cooked all the way through. Repeat with the last two chicken breasts. Place on paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.
  5. DRESSING. Make dressing by whisking lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Lightly coat arugula with lemon vinaigrette and place a pile on top of each breast. Top with shaved parmesan and serve warm. ENJOY!

Alternatives to frying

Can the chicken be made in an air fryer? In the oven? If you would like to cook this in the air fryer, you can preheat it to 390 degrees and allow the chicken to cook for 25 minutes or until it has reached an internal temperature of 165-170 degrees.

For making this in the oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees and bake the chicken on a baking sheet for 30 minutes, flipping half way through. Or 400 degrees for 50 minutes. It really just depends on your oven, so watch it closely.

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (3)

Keep leftovers Crispy

How do you reheat fried chicken/Keep it crispy?If you would like to freeze your chicken, you can store it in an air-tight container for 1-3 months and in the fridge for 1-3 days.

You can reheat fried chicken and keep it crispy by quickly re-frying it in a pan. This time, make sure you only let it cook for 2-3 minutes on each side and that the oil is not smoking when you place the chicken in the pan.

You will have to do this one or two chicken breasts at a time because if the pan is overcrowded the chicken will steam and it will get soggy rather than crispy.

This fried chicken is so good it tastes like it came straight from a fancy restaurant!! It would be great to eat any night, but it would also be the perfect dish when trying to pull out all the stops for friends or family. 😉

for more crispy chicken recipes, try:

  • Skinny Chicken Parmesan
  • Baked Chicken Fingers
  • Parmesan Crusted Chicken
  • Crispy Baked Ranch Chicken

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (4)

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (5)

5 from 16 votes

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna

This crispy fried chicken breast recipe is topped with arugula, shaved parmesan cheese, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette!

Servings: 4

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Marinate: 30 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 4 thin chicken breasts
  • 1 pint buttermilk
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cups baby arugula, loosely packed
  • 4 tablespoons shaved parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Lemon Vinagrette

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Marinate chicken in buttermilk in a Ziploc bag for 30-60 minutes.

  • Create breading process with 3 separate shallow dishes or bowls. In the first dish, mix flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp pepper. In the second dish, mix egg and 1 tablespoon water. In the third dish, mix Panko, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.

  • Coat chicken in flour (first dish), dredge in egg mixture (second dish) then coat in panko (third dish). Repeat with each chicken breast and place on a baking sheet.

  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt butter and olive oil. Place 2 chicken breasts in the pan and brown (about three minutes on each side). continue cooking until chicken is cooked all the way through. Repeat with the last two chicken breasts. Place on paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.

  • Make dressing by whisking lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

  • Lightly coat arugula with lemon vinaigrette and scoop onto each breast. Top with shaved parmesan and serve warm. ENJOY!

Notes

Make ahead of time. After breading, place the chicken on a baking sheet. Cover the sheet with plastic then refrigerate it for up to 4 hours before cooking. To freeze it, place the sheet in the freezer, once the chicken is solid, transfer them to a Freezer Ziploc and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before frying.

STORE.Place leftover chicken in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

REHEAT. For a crispy crust use one of the following methods:

Skillet. Add a bit of olive oil to a frying pan and let the chicken cook for a few minutes on each side, until warm throughout.

Oven.preheat the oven to 350°F, place the fried chicken on a baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated.

Airfryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the fried chicken in the air fryer basket and heat for about 3-4 minutes until it’s warm and crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 1520mg, Potassium: 305mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 950IU, Vitamin C: 5.9mg, Calcium: 254mg, Iron: 2.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Adapted from Cooking for Keeps.

Categorized as: American Recipes, Chicken, Cuisines, Main Dishes, Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

More About Kristyn

Related Posts

Burrito Bowl

10 mins

Recipe Video

Taco Bowl

40 mins

Recipe Video

Caldo de Pollo

1 hr 10 mins

Recipe Video

Cheese Quesadilla

10 mins

Recipe Video

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (11)

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

Order Today

Fried Chicken Breast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long should you fry a chicken breast for? ›

Pan-fried chicken breast recipe

Take off the cling film and season well. 2. Heat the oil in a frying pan then add the chicken breasts (skin-side down, if they have skin) and cook for 2-3 minutes or until browned. Then turn over, cover and cook on the other side for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.

How do you fry chicken breast so it's not dry? ›

Place a flat-bottomed frying pan on a medium-high heat and drizzle in a good amount of olive oil. When the oil is nice and hot, place the chicken breasts in the pan and leave to cook for 5 -7 minutes, untouched until a nice golden crust forms. If you have a lid for the pan, pop it on to help retain all that moisture.

Is fried chicken better with batter or flour? ›

Fried chicken tastes fantastic with a batter or a flour coating. It's simply a matter of preference.

Is 10 minutes enough to fry chicken? ›

Chicken Size:Small pieces (such as wings and drumettes) may take around 10-12 minutes. Larger pieces (such as thighs and breasts) may take 12-15 minutes or more. Check Internal Temperature:Use a meat thermometer to.

Is 20 minutes enough to fry chicken? ›

Fry chicken pieces until done, about 20-30 minutes, turning pieces so they brown evenly. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 180°F and should no longer be pink at the bone, juices should run clear. Cooking time will vary by size of pieces. Larger pieces will take longer to cook.

What should you season chicken with? ›

Aside from classics like salt, pepper, basil and garlic, you could try using chilli powder, ginger, cumin, cayenne, paprika, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme.

What is the best way to cook chicken breasts to keep them moist? ›

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

What not to do when frying chicken? ›

13 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Cooking Fried Chicken
  1. Mistake: Choosing A Giant Chicken.
  2. Mistake: Frying The Breasts Whole.
  3. Mistake: Skipping The Brine.
  4. Mistake: Not Patting It Dry.
  5. Mistake: Not Seasoning Your Flour.
  6. Mistake: Double Dipping.
  7. Mistake: Using A Pot.
  8. Mistake: Choosing The Wrong Fat.
Sep 24, 2022

What does Soaking chicken in milk do? ›

A milk marinade produces a super tender chicken, which melts in the mouth because milk contains lactic acid, which breaks down muscle fibers in the meat. Additionally, the best milky marinade for chicken is one that uses a fermented milk product, such as buttermilk or yogurt.

Should I marinate chicken before I fry it? ›

Marinating chicken before frying it can add flavor and moisture to the meat, making it more tender and juicy. Therefore, it's generally a good idea to marinate chicken before frying it.

Is it better to use egg or milk for fried chicken? ›

Some recipes call for dipping the chicken in egg before coating with flour while others call for milk (or butter milk). Egg provides a lot more protein and will produce a thicker, more stable crust. Milk is obviously much thinner, contains much more water, and won't cling to the meat as much.

Why do you add baking soda to flour for fried chicken? ›

When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.) The baking powder reacts with the oil and creates tiny air bubbles, which also helps form a crispy coating.

How long to let chicken rest in flour before frying? ›

Cover the chicken with a damp paper towels, a clean dishcloth, or a piece of wax paper. Let sit for at least 15-20 minutes until the flour has absorbed the moisture from the buttermilk and has a tacky, paste-like consistency. Fill a large dutch oven or cast iron skillet with at least 1-2 inches of oil.

Is 15 minutes long enough to fry chicken? ›

Turn the chicken pieces every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking on all sides. (You can use ChefAlarm's built-in timer for this!) After about 12-15 minutes of cooking, pull the chicken pieces out of the oil one at a time with tongs, and spot-check the internal temperature of each in multiple areas with a Thermapen.

Is 8 minutes enough to fry chicken? ›

We'll go over the oil temperatures and cooking times for different chicken types below: Fried Chicken: 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-15 minutes. Chicken Tenders: 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes. Chicken Wings: 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.

How long should you fry chicken breast on each side? ›

Place chicken breasts in hot pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown on the first side. Flip chicken breasts and cook an additional 6-8 minutes, until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the chicken.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5620

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.