How To Make Homemade Breaded Chicken

How to Make Homemade Breaded Chicken: A Delicious, Healthy Alternative

When it comes to comfort food, few dishes are as universally loved as breaded chicken. Whether you serve it as a main dish with a side of mashed potatoes, slice it up on a salad, or tuck it into a sandwich, breaded chicken is versatile, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing. But while it's easy to reach for a pack of pre-breaded chicken fillets from the supermarket freezer aisle, making your own at home is well worth the effort.

In this blog post, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of making homemade breaded chicken using breadcrumbs and sourdough breadcrumbs, discuss the health benefits of the homemade approach, and highlight why using tools like the Pep crisper oven tray with crisping basket can elevate your cooking experience.

Why Make Your Own Breaded Chicken?

Homemade breaded chicken isn't just about achieving a superior taste (though that's certainly a major perk). It's also about taking control of what goes into your food.

1. Healthier Ingredients

One of the primary concerns with store-bought breaded chicken is the presence of inflammatory oils such as soybean oil, canola oil, and other heavily processed seed oils. These oils are often used in commercial cooking due to their low cost and long shelf life, but they can contribute to chronic inflammation in the body when consumed regularly.

By making your own breaded chicken, you can opt for healthier oils like olive oil or avocado oil, or even bake your chicken to eliminate the need for frying altogether.

2. No Unnecessary Additives

Store-bought breaded chicken often contains preservatives, artificial flavourings, and other additives to enhance shelf life and taste. When you cook at home, you know exactly what you're eating. You can season your chicken to your liking and avoid unnecessary chemicals.

3. Customisable Flavours

When you're the chef, the world is your oyster. Want a spicy kick? Add chilli flakes or cayenne pepper. Prefer a touch of sweetness? Try a honey mustard marinade before breading. You have complete control.

4. Better Texture and Taste

There's something unbeatable about the texture of freshly breaded chicken – that crispy coating giving way to juicy, tender meat. Using sourdough breadcrumbs made from stale homemade or artisan bread adds a wonderful depth of flavour you won’t find in pre-packaged options. Sourdough breadcrumbs also result in a more crispy breadcrumb. Leave the breadcrumbs slightly bigger in a panko style for even more crispiness!

Making Sourdough Breadcrumbs

Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about the breadcrumbs. Sourdough breadcrumbs are a fantastic way to reduce food waste while also packing a punch of flavour and texture.

Ingredients:

• Leftover sourdough bread (preferably a few days old) other breads can also be used. If bread is fresh it can be lightly toasted to make it slightly more stale.

Method 1:

1. Tear the sourdough bread into small chunks and add into a food processor or mini chopper.

2. Pulse the bread until you have the desired breadcrumb consistency

3. Tip onto a flat surface ready to coat chicken. 

4. Add any dried flavourings as required.

5. The breadcrumbs will also store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Method 2: 

1. Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).

2. Tear the sourdough bread into small chunks and spread them on a baking tray.

3. Toast in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until dry and crisp.

4. Once cooled, pulse the bread chunks in a food processor to your desired crumb size – from coarse to fine.

5. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Recipe: Homemade Breaded Chicken with Sourdough Breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 cups sourdough breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup plain flour

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tbsp milk (any kind)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Olive oil spray or a small amount of avocado oil for baking

Optional:

• Grated Parmesan cheese for added richness

• Fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment:

• Pep crisper oven tray with crisping basket

• 3 shallow bowls or plates for dredging

• Baking sheet and wire rack (if not using the Pep tray)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken

• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.

• If the breasts are thick, slice them horizontally to make thinner cutlets. This ensures even cooking and a crispier crust.

2. Set Up Your Dredging Station

• Bowl 1: Flour seasoned with salt, pepper, and half the dried herbs.

• Bowl 2: Eggs beaten with the milk.

• Bowl 3: Sourdough breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, remaining herbs, and Parmesan if using.

3. Dredge the Chicken

• Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.

• Dip into the egg wash, ensuring it's fully coated.

• Press into the breadcrumb mixture, patting down to ensure an even coating.

4. Prepare for Baking

• Place each breaded chicken breast on the Pep crisper oven tray with crisping basket. This clever tray allows hot air to circulate underneath the chicken, ensuring it crisps up nicely without needing to flip it halfway through cooking.

5. Bake

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

• Lightly spray the top of each chicken piece with olive or avocado oil.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) and the coating is golden and crisp.

6. Serve and Enjoy

• Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

• Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade breaded chicken is incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas for how to enjoy it:

• Classic Dinner: Serve with mashed potatoes, steamed greens, and a drizzle of homemade gravy.

• Chicken Parmigiana: Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Chicken Sandwich: Layer in a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, and your favourite sauce.

• Salad Topper: Slice and serve on top of a Caesar or mixed green salad.

• Kids’ Favourite: Cut into strips and serve with homemade chips and ketchup or aioli.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Letting the chicken rest after breading and before baking helps the coating adhere better.

• Use a Meat Thermometer: This ensures your chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out.

• Go Big on Flavour: Season every component – the flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs – for maximum taste.

• Toast the Breadcrumbs: For an extra-crispy coating, toast the sourdough breadcrumbs in a pan with a little oil before breading.

Final Thoughts

Making your own breaded chicken at home may take a bit more time than popping a frozen cutlet in the oven, but the rewards are well worth it. You get a meal that's not only more flavourful and satisfying, but also healthier and free from inflammatory oils and artificial additives.

With simple ingredients, a bit of preparation, and tools like the Pep crisper oven tray with crisping basket, you can enjoy perfectly crisp, golden breaded chicken that's both nutritious and delicious.

Give this recipe a try and taste the difference homemade makes. Your taste buds – and your body – will thank you.

The Pep Crisper Oven Tray is available HERE!

Have you made this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in the comments below, and share your favourite variations or serving ideas!