Meat

Easy Breaded “Oven Fried” Chicken Thighs

Easy Breaded “Oven Fried” Chicken Thighs
Chef's notes

Discussion: Oven cooking breaded chicken cutlets, convection vs. direct heat

Recipe below shows one of two different approaches for oven cooking breaded chicken. One recommends using 425º convection, others 350º direct heat, non-convection. Convection settings, fans circulate heat resulting with food cooking quicker and evenly. Its earliest sales pitch was being able to cook several trays of cookies evenly. My opinion, even at higher temperatures, for me there seems to be an interesting balance. I'm able to crisp breading quickly while thicker cutlets cook through.

Direct heat is prone to hot spots especially when my oven automatically adjusts to temperature settings. I like to use direct heat with a cooking tray or pan on a lower shelf when quick cooking thinner cutlets. I find it a handy way to crisp the bottom side of cutlets similar to pan cooking. I can flip them over, add toppings, and return to finish cooking. It especially works well if topped with cheese. The downside, food needs to be monitored closely to prevent bottom burning.

Note, I only use high direct heat to cook pizza and flatbreads. Unlike cookies, I want surfaces to brown. Nothing worse than soft spongy and limp pizza and flatbreads!

Easy Breaded “Oven Fried” Chicken Thighs

Thighs are conveniently available skinless and boneless. Simply apply the traditional Italian three step process to coat thighs with breading and oven bake. 
Recipe is for 6 thighs. Proportionally increase recipe for more thighs.

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Easy Breaded “Oven Fried” Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless and skinless chicken thigs rinsed and dried
  • Olive oil

Breading 

  • Flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • olive oil
  • pinches of salt and pepper
  • Chopped parsley.
  • Italian style breadcrumbs
  • Grated parmigiana cheese

Instructions

Prepare three plates with ingredients for three step breading:

  • First, whisk flour with salt and pepper. 
  • Second, scramble eggs with parsley, and a drizzle of olive. 
  • Third, toss seasoned bread with additional grated cheese.

Three steps:

  • Dredge breasts in seasoned flour. Shake off excess. 
  • Coat thighs with egg, oil and parsley mixture. Let excess drain off. 
  • Roll and press breast all around in the breadcrumbs and parmigiana.
  1. Preheat oven to 375°direct heat.

  2. Place breaded chicken in a plate, refrigerate about 20 minutes.

  3. Brush a heavy cookie sheet with olive oil. 

  4. Add chicken single layer. Place sheet in the middle of the oven.

  5. In 15 to 20 minutes (olive oil will be sizzling) flip chicken. Chicken will be cooked through in about 10 more minutes. Check the thickest section for doneness. Do not overcook. Serve.

  6. Suggestion, try servinng with broccoli tossed with olive oil and Tuscany seasoning. Partially char in the same oven.
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