Ultimate Easy Crispy Fried Chicken Breast recipe to make the best fried chicken you’ll ever taste. Includes Oven and Air Fryer instructions.
From Chicken Tenders to Chicken Drumsticks to these plump chicken breasts, we have the chicken recipes you need when you are craving juicy, crispy fried chicken for Dinner.
Sabrina’s Crispy Fried Chicken Breast Recipe
Whether it’s your first time frying or you need a refresher, this is the ultimate guide to making delicious, crispy fried chicken breast at home. My step-by-step instructions and expert tips will help you achieve the perfect balance of a crunchy, flavorful exterior and moist, juicy meat every time. Boneless chicken breasts are great for making chicken sandwiches or as a main dish with sides like Mac and Cheese and Roasted Broccoli.
Ingredients
Fried Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts , boneless and skinless
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce , optional
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- canola oil , for frying
Instructions
Fried Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1″ thickness with a kitchen mallet.
- Score the top of the chicken breasts into an x pattern (this will help the coating adhere better and give you a better crunch).
- Mix the chicken, buttermilk, salt, pepper and hot sauce in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least four hours.
- Mix the paprika with the flour in a medium bowl with a baking sheet set up next to it.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, then add each chicken piece to the flour, coating well, then place onto the baking sheet and let sit for at least 30 minutes (the flour will become paste-like).
- Add a large dutch oven ½ full with canola oil heated to 365 degrees and fry in batches if needed (do not crowd the pan).
- Cook for 8-10 minutes (check for 165 degrees and that the chicken is cooked through).
Notes
Oven Directions: Prepare chicken by flattening, scoring, and marinating according to the recipe instructions.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
If you have a wire rack that fits on your baking sheet, this will elevate your chicken pieces for the crispiest oven fried chicken.
While the oven is heating, combine the paprika and flour with a fork in a medium shallow bowl.
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk mixture, letting any excess drip off.
Coat each chicken breast well in the flour mixture.
Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet (or on the rack on the baking sheet) without touching.
Brush each piece of chicken with the vegetable oil or melted butter.
Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches the safe temperature of 165 degrees and is cooked through.
Air Fryer Directions: Flatten, score, and marinate the chicken breasts as usual. Marinate for at least 4 hours.
Combine the flour and paprika in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and spray the basket with cooking spray.
Take each piece of chicken one at a time from the buttermilk mixture and shake off excess before coating in the seasoned flour mixture.
Working in batches, depending on the size of your fryer, place the chicken in the basket without touching.
Cook for 8-10 minutes or until it reaches the proper temperature of 165 degrees.
Nutrition
Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 1444mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 264IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg
This recipe was awesome. I did add some Chipotle pepper to make it little spicer.
Thank you for taking your time to add this delicious recipe.
I made sandwiches the next day with leftovers adding Swiss cheese.
Great ideas and enjoyed your feedback Marcia! Thanks for the great review!