Shortcut Skillet Fried Chicken

I have to confess that I've never been the best cook when it comes to fried chicken. I can't seem to get the coating perfectly browned and get the chicken cooked through at the same time. But I love breaded pan fried chicken and can't live without it! So, many years ago, I decided I needed to do it differently...

Full Confession: for years I've used the microwave for the last half of the job on my Stovetop Skillet Fried Chicken. I use the skillet to get my chicken crispy on the outside,  but then I use the microwave to cook the inside. I guess it's because I'm also just a little impatient and relatively lazy. If you love crispy fried chicken, without all the work, you'll love this recipe!

While it may feel like culinary blasphemy to some, it sure makes the job quick and no one knows any different. And it's been my little secret... until now. But it's a good secret to share, right? I wanted everyone to know that even if you have the same issue as me, you can still make awesome pan fried chicken thighs that are as delicious as if they were cooked in the skillet the entire time!

🥘 Ingredients

This recipe is my go-to stovetop fried chicken and I've spent years perfecting it. And in my quest to create the best fried chicken, I've followed the advice of several different cooks. Some cooks told me to coat it in butter and egg to get the breading to stick to the chicken and some said egg and milk work best. And while they were both tasty and worked relatively well, they were still a little too fattening for my liking (especially the butter version). So, on a whim I tried using fat-free liquid egg replacement and WOW. It seriously works like a charm!

Hey, just because I eat fried chicken doesn't mean that I don't care about calories! Not only are they low-fat, the taste of these liquid eggs as a coating is simply amazing - a total flavor enhancer! I use either cheese & chive or garden vegetable flavor.

This fried chicken recipe has no buttermilk. In addition to liquid egg replacement (I use Burnbrae Farms Egg Creations cheese and chive), you'll also need:

• chicken thighs 
• vegetable cooking oil
• fine bread crumbs 
• all-purpose flour
• salt
• parmesan cheese
• garlic powder
• pepper
• Cajun seasoning

📖SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS

• Chicken - You can use chicken thighs, breasts, quarters, or drumsticks
• Spicier - add additional cajun seasoning into the coating to add heat.
• Egg replacement - use another flavor or you can simply use eggs (but it won't have the same flavor)

💭 Top tip: Fried Chicken Breading Secret

I have also learned that the secret to the crunchy, tasty breading is the perfect ratio of flour, fine bread crumbs, salt, spices and parmesan cheese. Yes, parmesan cheese - it really boosts the flavor. And I have nailed it! Oh and I actually used to use legs for this recipe, but when I tried using chicken thighs instead, it was life altering. It's sooo much easier and less messy to cook and eat! And you can easily grab these little guys in one hand.

These pan fried chicken thighs make an excellent picnic chicken or a great addition to your lunchbox because it's not greasy, it's portable and easy to eat. And eating in your vehicle may not exactly be a picnic, but eating lunch in my vehicle between meetings is pretty standard for me, so PORTABLE is a necessary lunchbox requirement. And it's also great lunch to send to school with the kids. They love having these leftovers in their lunchbox!

🌡️Storage & Reheating

Storing: Once cooled, leftover fried chicken can be stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag for 3-4 days. Eat cold or reheat in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.

Freezing: Cool chicken completely and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. For best quality, use within 3-4 months of freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in microwave (or reheat from frozen, if needed).

This skillet fried chicken is not only easy to make, has a healthier, unique coating and it's super quick (with my shortcut method.) Eat them hot or cold, these fried chicken thighs also make a great picnic chicken and are perfect for the lunch bag! 

🥗 Side dishes

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Greek Pasta Salad

Easy Bean Salad

So if you also struggle with getting the inside of your chicken, as well as the outside, cooked to perfection or just want to do it faster, then give this shortcut skillet fried chicken a try. And if the skillet method and time are not issues for you, then go ahead and cook it the entire time in the skillet! It's still the best fried chicken coating/breading ever!

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5 from 5 votes

📋 Skillet Fried Chicken Recipe

This skillet fried chicken is not only easy to make, it has a healthier, unique coating and it's super quick (with my shortcut method.) Eat them hot or cold, these breaded pan fried chicken thighs also make a great picnic chicken and are perfect for the lunch bag!

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken thighs, fried chicken, pan fried, skillet

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 8 pieces

Calories 318kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• skillet

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoon vegetable cooking oil

Coating

• ½ cup Liquid egg replacement *I use Burnbrae farms Cheese & Chive or Garden Vegetable

Breading

• ¾ cup fine bread crumbs
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ tablespoon cajun seasoning

Instructions

• Heat oil in skillet on medium.

Coating

• Thoroughly coat chicken in egg replacement turning to cover completely.
  

Breading

• In a separate bowl mix parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, flour, salt, cajun seasoning and garlic powder.
  
  
• Thoroughly coat chicken in dry mixture
  
• Immediately transfer to hot frying pan and cook uncovered for approximately 5-7 minutes on medium high, until one side is brown and crispy.
  
• Turn gently and cook on other side for same time or until browned on outside. Cook about 5 minutes medium high on each side,
  
• Remove from skillet and microwave for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. *7 minutes is the magic number for me!
• Cut to ensure inside is cooked, then drain off oil and juices and place on paper towel to absorb any remaining oil.
  
• Serve hot or cold!
  

Notes

My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

Nutrition Facts

📋 Skillet Fried Chicken Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 318 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 114mg38%

Sodium 1073mg47%

Potassium 271mg8%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 21g42%

Vitamin A 315IU6%

Vitamin C 1.3mg2%

Calcium 44mg4%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1073mg | Potassium: 271mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1.6mg

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