Italian Pan Fried Chicken
Italian Fried Chicken, pan fried in a little olive oil and a few Italian spices, makes this a quick and easy chicken dinner idea for any day of the week! Everyone will love it.
Chicken is one of the most popular meat choices, I love serving it as a simple Cacciatore or a delicious oven baked Chicken Parmesan, how about a Herb Roasted Chicken pieces. is always With its golden-brown exterior and juicy, tender meat, pan-fried chicken is a classic comfort food that never fails to impress.
Italian Fried Chicken, one of my family’s favourite dinners. If you are looking for something quick and easy and so good, then this is it. No need for any heavy bread covered chicken, just a few spices and a frying pan!
Recipe Ingredients for Pan Fried Chicken
- Chicken – chicken legs, chicken breast or chicken thighs
- Oregano – fresh or dried
- Thyme – fresh or dried
- Salt & pepper – black pepper
- Rosemary – fresh or dried
- Garlic – garlic cloves
- Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil
- Water – or chicken broth
Is Pan Fried Chicken Healthy?
Pan fried Chicken is healthier than deep fried with a bread or flour coating, so frying especially in a little olive oil with fresh spices is not unhealthy at all in my opinion.
How to make Italian Pan Fried Chicken
In a medium to large-sized frying pan or cast iron skillet add the olive oil, and the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with half of the spices, oregano, thyme, salt, rosemary leaves and chopped garlic turn the legs and sprinkle with the remaining ingredients.
Add the water and cover cook on medium-high heat until boiling then lower heat to low / medium until cooked through and water has evaporated. Raise the heat and fry, turn the chicken pieces to brown on both sides. Serve immediately.
Choosing the Right Chicken
Before you can start frying, it’s essential to choose the right cuts of chicken for your pan-fried masterpiece. While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for their convenience, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks offer more flavor and tenderness. Whichever cut you choose, make sure it’s fresh and of high quality for the best results.
Should you rinse the chicken before cooking?
Salmonella, Campylobacter and other harmful bacteria live on raw chicken. Washing or rinsing the chicken will not remove any harmful live bacteria such as salmonella or campylobacter from it.
In fact it can worsen it by helping the bacteria to spread throughout your kitchen. Whereas cooking the chicken thoroughly will eliminate any bacteria.
Substituting dry herbs for fresh
To substitute dry herbs for fresh, the ratio is one tablespoon of fresh herbs to one teaspoon of dried herbs. For example, if you use one tablespoon of fresh oregano, you will need only one teaspoon of dried oregano. This is the same for basil, parsley and any other herb you want to use.
To substitute a clove of garlic you would use about 1/8th of a teaspoon of granulated garlic powder. Powder is strong so start off low and increase for taste.
How do you know when Chicken is cooked?
Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 F using a meat thermometer be sure to check in the thickest part of the breast, they also say if you slice the meat and the juice runs clear it’s done.
What Side Dishes to serve with Fried Chicken?
Fried chicken can be served with so many different side dishes from a Simple Italian Green Bean Toss or Rosemary Roasted Potatoes or even Italian Roasted Vegetables and of course a simple salad is always a good idea.
How to store Italian Fried Chicken
Store the cooked leftover chicken in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. It should be stored and refrigerated within two hours of cooking. It will keep for up to four days in the fridge. Reheat on the stove or microwave.
The completely cooled chicken can also be frozen. Freeze in freezer bags or container. It will keep for up to two months in the freezer.
More Chicken Recipes
This quick and easy Fried Chicken Recipe makes the perfect any night of the week meal. Buon Appetito!
Italian Pan Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs, thighs or breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons oregano
- 1 pinch thyme
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 3 sprigs rosemary (remove the leaves)
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- ½ cup water (more if needed)
Instructions
- In a medium to large-sized frying pan add 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add the chicken, sprinkle with half of the ingredients oregano, thyme, salt, rosemary leaves and garlic turn the legs and sprinkle with the remaining ingredients.
- Add the water and cover cook on high heat until boiling then lower heat to low / medium for approximately 35 minutes (check occasionally), check for doneness after 30 minutes, if cooked remove cover raise the heat and cook until water has evaporated. Once evaporated raise the heat and fry, turn the chicken pieces to brown on both sides. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Republished from August 2014
I make this once a week. It’s easy, fast, one pan and we love it. Delicious! Thank you Rosemary.
Hi Teresa, thanks so much, so glad everyone enjoyed it. Take care!
Do I start skin side down?
Hi Diane, yes that would probably be best. I hope you enjoy it. Take care!
easy to make and tasty ! 4 stars for me !! Yaaay !!!
Hi Robert, thanks so much, glad you liked it. Take care!
Add chopped fresh parsley, even better. Us chick n broth instead not water
Great dish; so simple and quick to fix. My husband loved it. I doubled the garlic, just because.
Hi Sharon, thanks so glad you both enjoyed it. Happy New Year!
I love the flavor of rosemary with chicken! The perfect weeknight meal!
Hi Tayler, thanks so much.
Yum!! The chicken reminds me of my mamma. We used to have chicken every Sunday although she boned all meats. She then took the bones and made brodo. The cooking was simple Italian but the taste was phenomenal!! And I prefer the small towns in Italy to the large cities. I really enjoy talking to the people — they are all so friendly and they love to visit. Great recipe, like usual.
Hi Marisa, thanks so much, my mother-in-law used to do that too! I know small towns in Italy are so beautiful. Have a great week.
My mom had a Pizzaria back in the 60’s, and she made Italian fried chicken. It was delicious, and I look forward to cooking your recipe. They sound familiar. Thank you for sharing it. Marge M
Hi Marge, oh good for your Mom, and I hope you enjoy the chicken. 🙂
Could you do this dish with chicken breast? If so what would the cook time be?
Hi Kelly, yes you can make it with chicken breasts, I would say go with the same time (they might need longer) check to make sure they are done by using an instant-read thermometer (the chicken should be at least 165°F when cooked). Hope that helps.
Hi Rosemary – My mom also cooked lamb and rabbit this way. Rabbit is delicious this way – with sun dried tomatoes, pancetta, basil and potatoes. The potatoes come all sticky and golden.
Love your website.
Hi Julie, my mother-in-law does it that way too and it’s really good. She also likes to add black olives. Thanks so much glad you enjoy it. Have a great weekend.
I prepare it similarly with the olive oils, oregano, and garlic, but I add a leaf of basil, and pepper. What I change is that instead of water, I only add 1/4 cup of wine, and lower the heat; it will cook in very low heat for about 20 minutes and has its own gravy. I love it! I was surprised that the recipe I use at home would be so similar to the one used in Italy of all the places; I’m so happy, I love Italy.
Hi Teresa, sounds delicious. I will have to try it. Thanks.
Looks incredible! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
This makes me hungry! Thank you for linking up to Creative K Kid’s Tasty Tuesdays. I pinned your recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest Board.
Ciao Rosemary, Soriano è molto carina. Mio fratello aveva una casa in questa deliziosa cittadina fino a poco tempo fa e ci andavamo spesso.
Il pollo fritto è molto invitante, da provare sicuramente.
Baci Paola!!!!
Ciao Paola, grazie mille! Soriano e’ un paesino molto molto carino e sono contenta di averlo visitato. Fammi sapere come ti viene il pollo quando lo fai! Baci Rosemary.