Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 lbs thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cup dill pickle juice
Breading
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¾ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Other
- Olive oil cooking spray, optional
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the thinly sliced chicken breasts and dill pickle juice into a ziplock bag. Remove as much air as possible and gently move the chicken around so that all pieces are coated in the pickle juice. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours to allow the flavors to infuse and tenderize the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: After marinating, remove the chicken from the pickle juice and pat each piece dry using paper towels. Discard any leftover pickle juice as it will not be used in cooking.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire cooling rack on a rimmed baking pan to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy on all sides.
- Mix the Breading Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until blended. In a separate large shallow bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs, panko bread crumbs, kosher salt, and black pepper, mixing well.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast piece first into the egg mixture to fully coat, then transfer it into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs. Shake off any excess coating for an even crust.
- Arrange and Spray: Place the breaded chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet or wire rack. Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil cooking spray to enhance browning and crispiness.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Then carefully flip each piece over and bake for an additional 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in pickle juice tenderizes the meat and infuses a tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste.
- Using a wire rack during baking allows air to circulate around the chicken, resulting in a crispier crust.
- Olive oil cooking spray is optional but recommended to achieve an oven-fried texture without deep frying.
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.
- For gluten-free option, substitute breadcrumbs and panko with gluten-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
