Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe)

This Crispy Chicken Fritta is breaded and pan fried to perfection! It's an Olive Garden Copycat recipe, but even better at home!

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This crispy fried chicken recipe is so perfectly browned! Traditionally, Chicken Fritta is dipped in milk rather than egg, but I found that created a really soggy version. After testing this recipe several times, my favorite way was to marinate the chicken in milk and still use egg for dipping. It turned out fantastic and I can't wait for you to try this!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe:
• Ingredients:
• How to Make Crispy Chicken Fritta:
• Expert Tips:
• Recipe FAQs:
• What to Serve with Crispy Chicken:
• Storing:
• More Dinner Recipes You Will Love:
• Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

• It is a super versatile recipe. You can serve it with my easy honey mustard recipe or chipotle mayo and french fries or fancy it up and cover it with my homemade pasta sauce and mozzarella for Chicken Parmesan. Yum!
• It takes less than 30 minutes to make.
• This recipe is crispy and delicious with a bit of cheesiness from the parmesan.

Looking for more dinners filled with flavor? Try my boneless beef short ribs, Creamy Basil Pasta, and chicken and chorizo paella.

Ingredients:

Chicken Cutlets- In this recipe, we use the flat side of a kitchen mallet to create thin cutlets. These fry up quickly and are perfectly browned.

Whole Milk- Milk helps tenderize the chicken. The enzymes in the milk help to break down the protein in the meat.

Panko- Panko gives the batter an airy, light texture and absorbs less oil than traditional breadcrumbs.

Breadcrumbs- For a bit of traditional, Italian style coating

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese- My favorite cheese to bring out a nutty flavor and parmesan crust on the chicken

Flour- To allow the egg to stick to the chicken

Eggs-To help the batter to adhere to the chicken

Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Garlic Powder- The perfect seasonings for a bit of Italian flavor

How to Make Crispy Chicken Fritta:

Here are the Step by Step Instructions for Crispy Chicken Fritta.

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Cutlets

Begin by patting dry the chicken breast and slicing each chicken breast into two thin breasts, making 4 total breasts. Using the flat side of a kitchen mallet, pound each chicken breast about 10 times each to thin them into cutlets. If you don't have a kitchen mallet, use the bottom of a skillet. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Chef Tip: To avoid chicken juice flying around, cover with plastic wrap before using the mallet.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Add milk into a bowl and place the chicken into the milk for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Dip Chicken Into Breading

Get three medium size bowls or pie plates ready for the dipping process.

Bowl 1: Add in flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper

Bowl 2: Crack the eggs and whisk

Bowl 3: Toss together the Panko, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Dip the chicken into the flour mixture. I like to use tongs to avoid batter fingers.

Then, dredge it into the egg mixture.

Lastly, dip the chicken into the panko bowl. Use your hands to really coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken Fritta

Place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium high heat. Pour in the vegetable oil and allow it to heat up to 375 degrees.

To make sure the oil is hot enough, toss a piece of breadcrumb in the oil or just dip the very end of the chicken in and make sure it is really bubbling before dropping the whole piece of chicken into the oil.

Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken is crispy and browned. Transfer to a baking sheet with rack and cover with foil.

Check that the chicken is cooked entirely, by making sure it is no longer pink inside and/or a thermometer should read 165 degrees. Mine were completely cooked after frying. However, if the chicken is not cooked, finish it off in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes and re-check the temperature.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Allow it to cool for just a few minutes before serving. It is best hot and fresh!

Serve with fries, rice, pasta or salad! This pan fried chicken is amazing & will be a family favorite.

Expert Tips:

• To avoid chicken juice flying around, cover with plastic wrap before using the mallet to thin out the chicken.
• The oil temperature is super important for the correct results. Make sure it's around 375 degrees before adding in the chicken.
• Be sure that the chicken is cooked entirely, by making sure it is no longer pink inside and/or a thermometer should read 165 degrees. Mine were completely cooked after frying. However, if the chicken is not cooked, finish it off in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes and re-check the temperature. 

For more Crispy Chicken recipes, try Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Crispy Chicken Burgers, and Crispy Chicken Romano.

Recipe FAQs:

What to Serve with Crispy Chicken:

This crispy chicken goes well with so many recipes! Pair it with my Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or pesto gnocchi!

For Chicken Parmesan, try my Homemade Marinara Pasta Sauce. Top the Crispy chicken with a piece of mozzarella cheese and broil for a minute in the oven. Serve with a nice helping of your favorite pasta tossed in Marinara. Don't forget the Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing without Anchovies.

For an easy Friday night meal, serve this crispy chicken with fries or tater tots and some fun sauce options like bbq, smash burger sauce, and honey mustard.

Storing:

This recipe can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat by placing the chicken on a cookie sheet and baking at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until hot.

More Dinner Recipes You Will Love:

If you tried this Chicken Fritta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

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