Tiffany Haney
Panko-crusted chicken is a popular dish that can be cooked by pan-frying. Panko breadcrumbs are made from dried flakes of crustless white bread, resulting in a lighter and crispier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs. When pan-fried, the panko crust delivers a crunchy texture and a juicy interior, making it a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or sliced into salads, wraps, or pasta. Preparing this dish involves a simple breading procedure using flour, egg wash, and panko crumbs, followed by pan-frying in oil and butter until golden brown. The chicken is then rested on a cooling rack to maintain crispiness before serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | Pan-fried |
| Type of chicken | Chicken breast, boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken tenders, or chicken cutlets |
| Chicken preparation | Butterfly the chicken breasts, pound the chicken to 1/2-inch thickness, or slice thinly |
| Seasonings | Paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, white pepper, salt, dried parsley, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning |
| Breading | Panko breadcrumbs, flour, egg wash |
| Cooking temperature | Medium-high heat, 300°F |
| Cooking time | 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F |
| Sauce | Wine, broth, lemon juice, Katsu curry sauce, Tomato Meatball Sauce, lemon cream sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Panko crumb alternatives
Panko breadcrumbs are ideal for frying chicken as they crisp up nicely without adding too much bready flavour. However, if you're looking for alternatives to panko crumbs, there are several options to choose from:
Gluten-free breadcrumbs
If you're serving friends who prefer gluten-free meals, you can make your own breadcrumbs from any gluten-free bread you have on hand. Simply tear the bread into small pieces with a fork or pulse it in a food processor. You can also use gluten-free oats or any unsweetened crushed gluten-free cereal, such as Chex or Cheerios. Just be sure to check the ingredient list to ensure the cereal is truly gluten-free.
Nuts
You can blitz almonds, hazelnuts, or sesame seeds in a food processor and use them as breading. However, be cautious as these nut flours burn quickly and at lower temperatures than grain-based flours. Mixing them with regular flour or panko can help prevent bitter and burnt flavours.
Rice
Making your own rice flour is another option. Puff uncooked rice in a hot pan, then pulverize it in a food processor to create a fragrant alternative that crisps up beautifully when fried. You can also use crushed, crisp rice cereal squares as a breading for a gluten-free version of panko-crusted chicken.
Other alternatives
Other creative alternatives to panko crumbs include crushed pretzels, riced cauliflower, cooked grains like quinoa, barley, or breakfast cereals such as cornflakes.
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Seasoning the chicken
Panko-crusted chicken is a quick and easy meal to make, and you can season the chicken in a variety of ways to suit your taste. Firstly, you will need to prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with egg, and one with panko crumbs. The flour is used to seal in moisture and protect the chicken from the high heat of the skillet. The egg acts as a glue for the panko crumbs to stick to the chicken.
For the seasoning, you can use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning blend. You can also add grated parmesan cheese to the panko crumbs for extra flavour. If you want to move in a Cajun direction, you can add red pepper to your seasoning mix. Alternatively, you can use store-bought Cajun seasoning, but be aware that it may contain high amounts of sodium, so you may want to omit salt from the rest of the recipe.
To season the chicken, slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create two thinner pieces. Then, season both sides of each chicken piece with your chosen seasoning blend. You can also season the flour and egg with the same spices for extra flavour.
Once the chicken is seasoned, you can start the breading process. First, dip the chicken into the flour, then into the egg, and finally into the panko crumbs, ensuring it is fully coated.
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Preparing the chicken
Panko chicken is a quick and easy meal to make, with a simple preparation process. You can use chicken breast, tenders, or boneless skinless chicken thighs. If you are using chicken breasts, you can either buy thin chicken cutlets or make your own by butterflying the chicken or pounding the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/2 an inch.
To prepare the chicken, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and white pepper. Then, dredge the chicken in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken in an egg wash, made by beating an egg with a splash of water, and allow any excess to drip off. Finally, dip the chicken in a bowl of panko crumbs, gently pressing the chicken into the crumbs to ensure that all sides are fully coated. You can also add seasonings to the panko crumbs, like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, or grated parmesan cheese, dried herbs, or Italian seasoning.
Once the chicken is coated, let it rest for a few minutes while the pan is heating up. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan, preferably cast iron or stainless steel, over medium-high heat. Add a neutral oil with a high burn point, like vegetable, sunflower, or canola oil, ensuring there is enough oil to reach the sides of the chicken. Avoid using olive oil, as it is not suitable for frying.
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Cooking the chicken
Panko breadcrumbs are perfect for coating chicken before frying as they create a crispy texture without adding too much breading. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but the chicken won't be as crispy.
To cook the chicken, first, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Then, season the chicken and dredge it in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into a bowl of beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, dip the chicken into a bowl of panko crumbs, gently pressing the chicken to ensure the panko sticks on both sides.
When frying the chicken, use a heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan, preferably cast iron or stainless steel, as these distribute heat evenly. Heat oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pan, ensuring the pan is not overcrowded, as this will prevent the chicken from crisping up.
Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3–4 minutes until it is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can check this with a meat thermometer. Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a cooling rack to rest for about 5 minutes.
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Sauces and serving suggestions
Panko-crusted chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sauces and sides. Here are some ideas for sauces and serving suggestions to accompany your pan-fried panko-crusted chicken:
Sauces
- Lemon Cream Sauce: A creamy sauce with hints of butter, garlic, and lemon. It pairs well with mashed potatoes.
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce: A combination of mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, and two types of mustard. This sauce can be served cold and is perfect for baked panko-crusted chicken drumsticks.
Serving Suggestions
- Simple Green Salad: A light and refreshing side dish to balance the crispy chicken.
- Corn on the Cob: A classic summer side that complements the chicken.
- Potato Salad: Hearty and flavorful, potato salad can be a delicious accompaniment.
- Caprese Salad: Fresh and colorful, Caprese salad adds a touch of elegance to the dish.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: The perfect side dish to soak up any extra sauce and complement the crispy chicken.
- Brioche Bread: For a hearty sandwich, serve the panko-crusted chicken on brioche with mayo, SW Chipotle, pickled jalapenos, and flat-leaf spinach.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can pan fry chicken with a panko crust.
You will need chicken, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, flour, oil, butter, and seasonings of your choice.
First, prepare the chicken by slicing, tenderizing, and seasoning it. Then, coat the chicken with flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs. Finally, fry the chicken in a pan with oil and butter until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron/stainless steel pan for even heat distribution. Cook the chicken in batches to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior. Do not overcrowd the pan. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should be 165°F when cooked.
You can serve pan-fried panko-crusted chicken with a variety of sides, such as sautéed green beans, creamy mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, or zucchini. You can also slice the chicken and serve it over pasta or in a wrap with lettuce for a fun lunch option.
