Meg's Pan-Fried Chicken Recipe (2024)

4.3 of 5 (77)

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 183.1

Total Fat: 5.5 g
Cholesterol: 70.2 mg
Sodium: 74.8 mg
Total Carbs: 4.7 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.0 g
Protein: 27.5 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Meg's Pan-Fried Chicken calories by ingredient

Introduction

You will think you are dining in a screened in-porch with the colonel as your host when you bite into this pan-fried chicken.
You will think you are dining in a screened in-porch with the colonel as your host when you bite into this pan-fried chicken.

Minutes to Prepare: 5

Ingredients

4 4-ounce chicken breasts, skin and fat removed

1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour

1 egg white, beaten until foamy

1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)*

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 teaspoons olive oil

*Use whole-wheat breadcrumbs if you cant find panko.

Tips

The appeal of fried chicken is the crunch you get when you bite down on that crust into the moist meat inside. I ditched most of the fat and relied on herbs and spices for flavor.
The Southern gal in me is proud of this recipe. I'm from Kentucky, so I suppose we could call this dish "Kentucky Pan-Fried Chicken."

You'll want to prep the chicken in two batches to ensure a crunchy crust. Crowding all four pieces into the pan at once or breading them all and letting them sit will yield a soggy coating.
Why are we baking pan-fried chicken? We used a hot skillet to get a crispy coating on the meat, but if we kept the meat on the stovetop, the crust would burn before the inside reached a safe temperature. Finishing the dish in the oven yields perfect results every time.

This recipe is from "The Spark Solution: A Complete Two-Week Program to Fast-Track Weight Loss and Total Body Health," the new book from the experts at SparkPeople. Order your copy today!

Also pictured:

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Line up three flat dishes as a breading station. The first dish should hold the flour and the second the beaten egg white. In the third, combine the panko, thyme, paprika, and onion powder.
Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and place it over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil.
Prep the chicken in two batches. Pat each piece of chicken dry with paper towels.
Dredge two pieces of chicken in the flour, then dip them in the egg white, and coat them with the breadcrumbs. Add them to the hot skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side, then transfer them to the baking dish.
Add the remaining teaspoon of oil to the skillet for the second batch. Repeat the breading and pan-frying process with the other two chicken breasts, then bake them in the preheated oven for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165 F using a quick-read thermometer.

Member Ratings For This Recipe

QUIKCUTS2003

Incredible!
28 of 28 people found this review helpful
try putting the chicken on a rack in the pan so it is not sitting in the run off oil and that will cut down on even more calories and the bottom won't be soggy from the oil
- 4/9/13
UPONMYSTARR

Very Good
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
Ooh, I really like this ! I added more spices and some red pepper because we like spicy... I also cut the chicken into long, thin strips, and it cooked in a flash ! - 4/9/13
BEANSPROUTBARB

Good
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I made this with boneless skinless thighs because we like dark meat. I cooked it longer in the oven, too. It needs longer cooking, I think, than the recipe says. Also, I think the seasoning could be more flavorful. But the method is good for making a crispy crust. I'll use it again! - 4/9/13
CD12502609

10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Best tasting oven chicken I have ever made!! - 7/18/12
NONNAOF2

Incredible!
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I always have to have garlic in everything I eat, so I add 1/2 tsp.garlic powder to this recipe! - 4/9/13

See All Comments