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Crispy Basic Pan-Fried Chicken Recipe Easy Salt and Pepper Method

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A quick and easy pan-fried chicken recipe using just salt and pepper for seasoning, delivering a crispy crust and juicy interior with simple ingredients and straightforward technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (can substitute almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) vegetable oil (grapeseed, canola, or sunflower oil preferred)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, slice horizontally to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thickness for even cooking.
  2. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly on both sides of each cutlet. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Place all-purpose flour in a shallow dish. Lightly dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off excess.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and warm until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Carefully place chicken in hot oil, leaving space between pieces. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Flip chicken using tongs and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning.
  7. Check doneness by firmness and clear juices or use an instant-read thermometer aiming for 165°F (74°C).
  8. Transfer chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan to maintain oil temperature. Use oil with a high smoke point like grapeseed or canola. Let chicken rest after frying to keep crust crisp and juices redistributed. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend. Variations include adding herbs or spices to flour or marinating in buttermilk before cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: pan-fried chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, salt and pepper chicken, quick dinner, simple chicken, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/crispy-basic-pan-fried-chicken-recipe-easy-salt-and-pepper-method/