Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredible Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken. This recipe is an absolute game-changer, combining the savory crunch of a parmesan crust with the tangy, juicy flavor of pickle-brined chicken. It’s surprisingly easy to make and delivers a restaurant-quality meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. If you love bold flavors and satisfying textures, this dish is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love This Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken Recipe
This isn’t just another baked chicken recipe. We’ve perfected the technique to ensure every single bite is packed with flavor and has an unforgettable crunch. The secret starts with a simple pickle brine, which not only tenderizes the chicken but also infuses it with a delicious tang. The crispy coating, made from a blend of parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs, bakes to a perfect golden brown, creating a texture that rivals any fried chicken.
Incredibly Flavorful: The pickle brine tenderizes and seasons the chicken from the inside out.
Amazingly Crispy: A simple panko and parmesan coating creates a super crunchy exterior without any deep frying.
Quick & Easy: With just a few simple steps, you can have this impressive dinner on the table in under an hour.
Family-Friendly: It’s a certified crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will devour.
Key Ingredients for Success
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
Getting a thick, even coating is the secret to an extra-crispy crust.
Chicken Breasts: Use thin-cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick and even cooking. If you have thicker breasts, slice them in half horizontally.
Dill Pickle Juice: This is the key for our brine! It tenderizes the chicken and gives it that signature tangy flavor.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko provides a lighter, crispier texture than traditional breadcrumbs.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: For best results, use freshly grated parmesan. It melts better and delivers a richer, nuttier flavor.
Eggs: This will act as the binder to help our crispy coating stick to the chicken.
Flour: A light dusting of all-purpose flour helps the egg wash adhere properly.
Seasonings: We’ll use a simple but effective blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
How to Make Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken
Making this dish is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time. The key is setting up an efficient dredging station.
1. Brine the Chicken
Place your thin-cut chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour the dill pickle juice over the chicken, ensuring it’s fully submerged. Let it brine in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.
2. Prepare the Breading Station
Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Coat the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the panko-parmesan mixture, ensuring a thick, even coat on all sides.
Golden, crispy, and packed with flavor - the perfect result every time.
4. Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated chicken on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. This allows air to circulate, making the bottom just as crispy as the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).
Expert Tips for the Crispiest Chicken
Want to guarantee a flawless result? Follow these pro tips.
Don’t Skip the Brine: Even 30 minutes makes a huge difference in the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
Pat the Chicken Dry: Removing excess moisture from the brined chicken is crucial for getting the coating to stick and crisp up properly.
Use a Wire Rack: Baking the chicken on a wire rack is the number one secret to achieving a 360-degree crunch.
Press the Coating Firmly: Don’t be shy! Really press the chicken into the panko-parmesan mixture to create a thick, durable crust.
What to Serve with Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken
This versatile main course pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. For a comforting meal, serve it alongside creamy broccoli and potato soup. It’s also fantastic with a simple side of crispy roasted cauliflower or a fresh garden salad. For a heartier option, this chicken is a great protein to add to a creamy pasta dish, similar to this delicious creamy chicken penne.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be delicious. They may require a slightly longer cooking time, so be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Yes, this recipe works wonderfully in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
For the best flavor, use the brine from your favorite brand of classic dill pickles. Avoid using juice from sweet pickles or bread-and-butter pickles, as the sugar content will alter the savory flavor profile of the dish.
There are three keys to making the breading stick: 1) Pat the chicken completely dry after brining. 2) Follow the three-step dredging process (flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs). 3) Press the panko-parmesan mixture firmly onto the chicken to create a solid crust.
As written, this recipe is not keto-friendly due to the flour and panko breadcrumbs. To make it low-carb, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour and replace the panko breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds mixed with parmesan cheese.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out some of our other fan favorites. For a taste of the sea, try our incredible Garlic Parmesan Crusted Halibut. Or, for another comfort food classic, you can’t go wrong with our Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup.
Share Your Masterpiece!
We are so excited for you to try this Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken recipe! It’s a true standout dish that brings a bold and exciting twist to your dinner table. If you make it, don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your creation with us on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see your amazing results!
You have to try this Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken! The perfect combination of tangy and savory.
Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken Recipe
FL Recipes
Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken: The Crispiest, Tangiest Recipe
This Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken is the ultimate weeknight dinner! Featuring tender, pickle-brined chicken with an irresistibly crispy parmesan and panko crust, this easy baked recipe is packed with a tangy, savory flavor everyone will love.
4thin-cut boneless, skinless chicken breastsabout 1.5 lbs total
1cupdill pickle juicefrom a jar of your favorite dill pickles
1/2cupall-purpose flour
2large eggslightly beaten
1cuppanko breadcrumbs
1/2cupgrated Parmesan cheesefreshly grated is best
1tspgarlic powder
1/2tsponion powder
1/2tspblack pepperfreshly ground
Equipment
1 Baking Sheet
1 Wire Rack
3 Shallow Dishes
Method
Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Pour dill pickle juice over them, ensuring they are fully submerged. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack inside a baking sheet.
Arrange three shallow dishes. In the first, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
Remove the chicken from the brine and pat each piece thoroughly dry with paper towels. Dredge a chicken breast in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg wash, and finally press it firmly into the panko-Parmesan mixture to coat completely.
Place the coated chicken on the prepared wire rack. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C).
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps keep the juices locked in. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 50gFat: 18gFiber: 2g
Notes
Tip 1: For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your flour mixture. Tip 2: Ensure your chicken breasts are of even thickness for consistent cooking. You can gently pound them if needed. Tip 3: Do not overcrowd the baking sheet. Give each piece of chicken enough space for air to circulate and create a crispy crust.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
