Crispy Crumbed Chicken

Step 1

If your bread is fresh, lay it out onto a baking tray and leave to dry out overnight.

Step 2

Begin by making your egg wash. In a shallow wide bowl, whisk your eggs, garlic and water together and set to the side. By preparing this early the garlic will have time to release its flavour into the eggs.

Step 3

Cut the tenderloin off the chicken breast but do not toss away as we will also be crumbing this part. Using a sharp knife, cut through the middle of the chicken breast horizontally so they half in thickness. Let the knife do most of the work, applying a small amount of pressure as the knife glides through crosswise. It’s easiest when you place one hand on top of the chicken breast. Don’t worry if this is not done too evenly! Repeat this step with all the chicken breast.

Step 4

Place one piece of chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using the smooth side of a mallet, pound the chicken from the centre outwards until the breast is roughly 2cm thick and has an even thickness throughout. This step is to ensure the chicken cooks at an even rate. Set your chicken to the side.

Step 5

Roughly tear apart your bread and place into a food processor or blender with the parsley and rosemary. Blend until the bread is still quite chunky and the herbs have been mixed through. We aren’t looking for a fine and crumbly texture with this breadcrumb as its those chunky crusty parts that make the breadcrumb extra special. If you are using a small blender you will need to do this step in batches. Place your breadcrumbs into a large bowl.

Step 6

In a shallow wide bowl, whisk together the flour and salt and then set up your dredging station. Begin with your flour, followed by the egg wash, followed by the breadcrumbs and then finished with a large clean plate or tray to place the crumbed chicken in.

Step 7

Take one chicken breast and coat both sides evenly with the flour. Then place into the egg wash and coat both sides evenly. Lastly, place into the breadcrumb mixture applying pressure with your hands when you flip the chicken over to ensure the breadcrumbs are evenly coated all over. Place the chicken breast onto the clean plate and then repeat this step with the remainder of the chicken.

Step 8

In a large frying pan, add a very generous amount of olive oil until its about 2 - 3cm deep in the pan. Bring the olive oil to heat. You can check if the olive oil is hot enough by placing a wooden skewer into it and seeing if bubble forms around the skewer. Turn the heat down to low - medium and fry 1 - 2 pieces of chicken at a time for 2 - 3 minutes on each side or until they are golden and crispy. It’s best to test out one piece of chicken to make sure your cook time and heat levels are accurate. Remember your chicken will continue to cook when you take it off the heat so take it off a few seconds before you feel it’s ready. Place the cooked chicken onto a plate lined with absorbent paper or cooling rack.