How to Fry Chicken in a Pan with Oil

You can make hundreds of delicious dishes with chicken. One of the easiest and quickest ways to make tender and juicy chicken is by marinating and frying it in a pan with oil. The best thing about this cooking method is that it is convenient and quick, and the chicken always tastes delicious. Plus, you can serve it with a variety of sides. So, if you want to know more about how to fry chicken in a pan with oil…read ahead and find out!

Tips for frying chicken in a pan with oil

Frying chicken in a pan with oil is easy, especially when you keep the following tips in mind:

• The easiest way to fry chicken in a pan with oil that is juicy and moist is even thickness. When the chicken is even in thickness, it will cook faster and evenly as well. If the chicken breast seems uneven to you, simply use a kitchen mallet to pound the chicken until you get an even thickness.
• The cooking time of the chicken depends on its thickness. A thick chicken breast will take more time to cook than a thin and pounded chicken breast.
• If you don’t have chicken breast available or prefer chicken thighs, feel free to use them. I would recommend removing the skin, but you do not have to.
• Always use a kitchen towel to pat the chicken dry before seasoning it. This way, you will get rid of excess moisture.
• You can try different spices to create a flavor of your own. If you like using premade dry rubs, feel free to use them. It’s all about using the spices that you love the most.
• You can also use breadcrumbs to coat the chicken. If you are using breadcrumbs, use more oil to shallow fry the chicken in the pan.
• Don’t overcrowd your pan. It will result in messy and uneven cooking. Try working in batches if you are cooking for more people.
• Once you place the chicken in the pan, wait for 5 to 6 minutes, and don’t move it. Flip it once the time is up.
• If you feel the chicken needs more time to cook and the spices have started to burn, add a splash of water. The steam from the water will help to cook the chicken, and it won’t dry out.

What to serve with pan-fried chicken

You can literally serve pan-fried chicken with anything! Here are a few popular ideas to try:

• Vegetables: Serve pan-fried chicken with roasted, boiled, mashed, or grilled vegetables. It is a perfectly healthy and balanced meal.
• Salad: Fresh garden salads, cream-based salads, or Mediterranean salads with beans work really well with pan-fried chicken. They add freshness, flavor, and texture to your dish.
• Pasta: Pan-fried chicken over creamy Alfredo pasta or a simple tomato-based pasta is heavenly.
• Sauces: You can also enjoy this chicken recipe with homemade marinara sauce, honey garlic sauce, or any other simple sauce.
• Rice/quinoa: Serve it with cooked Mexican or garlic rice or quinoa. It is a healthy and wholesome choice.

How to store pan-fried chicken

Pan-fried chicken is not just easy to make but is also easy to store. You can store the cooked chicken once it reaches room temperature. Place it in a refrigerator-safe airtight container or in a zip-lock bag. Refrigerate it for up to 3 days. You can also freeze pan-fried chicken for up to 5 months.

To reheat, simply place it in the microwave. Or you can reheat it over the stovetop in a skillet by adding a splash of water. Cook until the water dries out, and enjoy!

How to Fry Chicken in a Pan with Oil

• Preparation time: 10 minutes
• Cooking time: 12 minutes
• Total time: 22 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 ½ tbsp. unsalted Butter
• 3 tbsp cooking oil (extra virgin olive oil or peanut oil work great!)

For the dry rub:

• 1 ¼ tbsp smoked paprika
• ¾ tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• ¾ tsp mustard powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry using a chicken towel. You can pound the chicken using a mallet to ensure they are even in thickness.
2. Add smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, dried thyme, oregano, basil, and salt in a bowl. Mix well.
3. Sprinkle the dry rub generously over the boneless chicken breast pieces and rub them so they are coated with the spice mix.
4. In a frying pan, add oil and place it over medium heat.
5. Place the chicken breast in the pan and let it sizzle in the hot oil on medium heat for about 6 minutes.
6. Once the time is up, flip the chicken breast pieces and cook on the other side for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Add butter to the pan and flip the cooked chicken pieces over the butter to soak the buttery flavor.
8. Take the pan off the heat and take the chicken on a serving plate.
9. Pour the leftover butter over the chicken, add salt and black pepper to taste, and serve with your favorite side. Enjoy!

How to Fry Chicken in a Pan with Oil

Preparation time: 10 minutes; Cooking time: 12 minutes; Total time: 22 minutes; Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 ½ tbsp. unsalted Butter
• 3 tbsp cooking oil extra virgin olive oil, or peanut oil work great!
• For the dry rub:
• 1 ¼ tbsp smoked paprika
• ¾ tsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• ¾ tsp mustard powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Pat the chicken dry using a chicken towel. You can pound the chicken using a mallet to ensure they are even in thickness.
• Add smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, dried thyme, oregano, basil, and salt in a bowl. Mix well.
• Sprinkle the dry rub generously over the boneless chicken breast pieces and rub them so they are coated with the spice mix.
• In a frying pan, add oil and place it over medium heat.
• Place the chicken breast in the pan and let it sizzle in the hot oil on medium heat for about 6 minutes.
• Once the time is up, flip the chicken breast pieces and cook on the other side for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Add butter to the pan and flip the cooked chicken pieces over the butter to soak the buttery flavor.
• Take the pan off the heat and take the chicken on a serving plate.
• Pour the leftover butter over the chicken, add salt and black pepper to taste, and serve with your favorite side. Enjoy!

FAQs

Who invented fried chicken?

The origins of fried chicken are uncertain and debated, but historians believe it may have been a mix of African and European influences. According to some sources, the Scots were known for frying various foods without seasoning and called them fritters, and they may have invented fried chicken. Other sources suggest that fried chicken was introduced to the West by the Chinese and Europeans. English cook Hannah Glasse had the first published fried chicken recipe in 1747. American-style fried chicken started in the American South.
(sources: Facts.net, Wonderopolis, Fourwaymemphis.com)

How long can fried chicken sit out?

Fried chicken can safely sit out at room temperature for up to two hours

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