Crispy Oven Baked Chicken with juicy meat and crisp, flavorful skin can be on your dinner table with about 5 minutes’ worth of effort!.
This crispy chicken is made in the oven without any breading at all; the only ingredients you need are the chicken, a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper.
I am so very happy to have finally recreated our favorite chicken recipes, without the mess on the stove-top and with minimal cleanup.
I’ve been making these Pan Fried Chicken Thighs and Pan Fried Italian Chicken Thighs at least once a month ever since I first made them several years ago. The recipes are crazy easy and my whole family loves pan-fried chicken. (Who doesn’t?!).
Crispy, juicy chicken breast is a delicious meal, but it can be tricky to achieve that texture when the skin has been removed. Without the skin, the chicken breast can easily dry out and turn rubbery. However, with the right techniques, ingredients, and cooking methods, you can produce tender, moist chicken breast with a deliciously crispy exterior.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the steps and tips for making skinless chicken breast crispy and delicious. Whether you are cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this simple recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Why Breading is Essential
The key to crispy skinless chicken breast is the breading. Breading is very important for adding crunch and texture because there is no skin for it to stick to. When you bread the chicken breast, it basically makes a crispy “crust” around it that looks like skin.
There are a few secrets to getting the perfect breading:
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Use a three-step breading station – This involves dredging the chicken in flour first, then egg, then the breadcrumb coating. The flour helps the egg stick, while the egg helps the breadcrumbs adhere
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Press the breading onto the chicken – Don’t just let the breading loosely coat the chicken. After dipping in the egg, actively press the breadcrumbs into the chicken breast to secure the coating.
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Use Panko breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs create a light, crispy texture that holds up well to frying or baking. The craggy shape of panko also helps the breading stick.
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Rest—Let the chicken breasts rest for 10 to 20 minutes after breading them before cooking. This helps the breading further adhere to the meat.
Frying for Maximum Crispiness
For the crispiest results, frying is the ideal cooking method. The hot oil will cook the chicken breast while simultaneously crisping up the breading.
Here are some tips for perfect fried chicken breast:
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Cast iron is a good choice because it is thick and heavy. It keeps heat well for even cooking.
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Heat the oil to 325°F – This temperature prevents burning while fully crisping the coating.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan – Cook chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature.
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Flip halfway through – Carefully flip each breast halfway through frying for even browning.
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Fry for 8-10 minutes – Depending on thickness, the chicken will finish at an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Let it rest briefly – Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving for perfectly juicy meat.
Baking for a Healthier Option
The chicken breast gets the crispiest when it’s fried, but baking is a healthier way to cook that can still make tasty food. Here are some tips:
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Use a wire rack – Placing the breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet allows air circulation for even crisping.
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Bake at 400°F – The high heat helps the breading get crunchy and browned.
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Brush with oil – Lightly brushing the breaded chicken with oil ensures it gets nicely browned and crisp.
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Bake for 18-22 minutes – Flip halfway through baking until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.
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Broil at the end – Broiling for 1-2 minutes after baking really crisps and browns the coating.
Cooking Tips for Juicy Chicken
Since chicken breast meat can easily dry out and turn tough, it’s important to follow cooking methods that keep the meat tender and moist:
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Pound to even thickness – This allows for even cooking so no parts overcook.
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Don’t overcook – Cook just until the thickest section reaches 165°F internally.
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Allow to rest – Letting it rest after cooking allows juices to distribute evenly.
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Marinate – Marinating for 30+ minutes tenderizes the meat and adds flavorful moisture.
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Brine if time allows – Soaking in a saltwater brine solution makes the meat extra juicy.
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Use a meat thermometer – This removes the guesswork for perfectly cooked meat.
Seasoning Ideas
While plain crispy chicken breast is delicious, seasoning and spice blends can take the flavor up a notch:
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Salt, pepper, garlic powder – This simple combo adds a good base flavor.
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Italian seasoning – Oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic powder give an Italian twist.
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Cajun seasoning – Paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, and cayenne provide a spicy Cajun flair.
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Ranch – Dried ranch seasoning mix adds that cool, creamy flavor.
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Lemon pepper – Bright lemon and black pepper is a refreshing combination.
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Crispy fried chicken seasoning – Look for premixed seasoning blends meant for fried chicken.
Putting it All Together
Follow this easy recipe and process for guaranteed crispy, juicy chicken breast:
- Pound chicken to 1/2 inch thickness
- Marinate for 30 minutes in buttermilk
- Dredge chicken in flour mixture
- Dip in egg wash
- Press into panko breadcrumbs
- Let rest 10 minutes
- Fry chicken in 350°F oil for 8-10 minutes
- Bake chicken on a wire rack at 400°F for 18-22 minutes
- Season with your favorite spices or spice blend
- Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving
With this foolproof process, you’ll be able to enjoy tender, flavorful chicken breast with that satisfying crunch in every bite. Crispy, crunchy chicken breast makes for fantastic meals, snacks, sandwiches, salads and more!
How To Make Crispy Chicken in the Oven
Grab your chicken, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then bake. Seriously. That’s all the effort it requires.
Once you have that chicken in the oven, I highly recommend taking just FIVE minutes to stir together a batch of Corn Pudding.
Pop it in the oven and it will be ready when the chicken is. You’ll have dinner ready to go all at once and your family is sure to love it!.
You just gave yourself an hour to do nothing but relax on the couch, read a book, watch a show, and do nothing else while the chicken sizzles in the oven and fills the house with delicious smells.
This Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken will fool everyone into thinking you are actively cooking dinner. I realize that it almost sounds too good to be true, but the chicken really is amazing without anything extra needed at all!.
Want a few more dinner ideas that require almost no effort at all? This Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner is an all in one meal that family and friends all rave about every time they make it.
Southwest Chicken Salad with Spicy BBQ Ranch Dressing is a fantastic salad that is sure to satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
Chinese Beef and Broccoli Soup by The Food Charlatan comes together in minutes and this Cheesy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes by Taste and Tell is a kid-favorite that requires little more than slicing the potatoes.
These Stir Fry Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables happen in my kitchen on a regular basis. Once you’ve tried them, they’re going to be on regular rotation for you too.
This Southwest Beef and Potato Skillet by Aggie’s Kitchen is on regular rotation in my house as well. I LOVE the easy weeknight dinners.
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken
Should you have tried that easy way to cook chicken yet? You only need to taste it to know how great a single piece of chicken can taste.
Over the past few years, I’ve tried a few different methods to recreate that flavor and crispiness in the oven and I am giddy to have finally nailed it.
I’m dubbing this the easiest dinner recipe ever because it requires no prep, no marinade, no special anything at all in advance.
Crispy Breaded Chicken Recipe
FAQ
How do you make chicken breast crispy skin?
Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, lay in the chicken breasts skin-side down. Fry until the skin is golden, 5-6 mins, then turn and cook for 1 minute on the other side.
How to make just bare chicken crispy?
Preheat oven to 375° F and place the frozen chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking pan. Bake for 21-23 minutes or until crispy and golden and the internal temperature is 165° F.
What is the trick to getting crispy chicken?
Double Dredge—Adding two times as much flour to the chicken is the best way to make sure the breading stays on. This creates a super thick, extra crispy coating on your chicken. After dredging the chicken in seasoned flour, dip it into an egg wash and place it back into the flour. Sep 12, 2023.