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.
Pan Fried Chicken
Pan Fried ChickenItalian 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 pan frying!
What a wonderful Saturday I spent with my husband and my two daughters. After much planning, almost 10 years, we finally got our act together and went to visit some friends in one of the most beautiful provinces in Italy. A place called Viterbo and the town we visited is called Soriano once again I put on my walking shoes and played tourist to take in this “take your breath away” beautiful town.
Ahhh but one thing I love about Italy is that Italians love to stop two or three times during their walk for a cold drink or better yet a gelato. And gelato I ate. It never seems to amaze me that in Italy even an abandoned building has its beauty. These small towns are wonderful, there were so many people out and about and so many different festivals, music, magic shows, take your pick.
ORSINI CASTLE 13TH CENTURY
La Fonte Papacqua
If you ever visit Italy be sure to take a side trip to Viterbo! It is not a big secret that besides gelato I absolutely love Pasta. But I have to admit there are some meat dishes that I enjoy making and eating almost as much as pasta, and this Italian Fried Chicken is one of them.
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
- Place a little olive oil in a pan,
- Add the chicken pieces legs, thighs or breasts you decide, you can remove the skin if you want.
- Sprinkle with a few spices including fresh rosemary, thyme and oregano.
- Add a little water and simmer covered for about 20 minutes.
- Then remove the lid turn up the heat and let it fry to perfection! So good.
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?
Simple Italian Green Bean Toss
A simple Salad
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
- 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
- pinch of thyme
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 sprigs rosemary (remove the leaves)
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 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 chopped 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. Turning to brown on both sides. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
- ** you can check to make sure they are done by using an instant-read thermometer (the chicken should be at least 165°F when cooked)
Nutrition
Republished from August 2014
Chris says
Add chopped fresh parsley, even better. Us chick n broth instead not water
Sharon Randall says
Great dish; so simple and quick to fix. My husband loved it. I doubled the garlic, just because.
Rosemary says
Hi Sharon, thanks so glad you both enjoyed it. Happy New Year!
Tayler Ross says
I love the flavor of rosemary with chicken! The perfect weeknight meal!
Rosemary says
Hi Tayler, thanks so much.
Marisa Franca says
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.
Rosemary says
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.
Marge M says
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
Rosemary says
Hi Marge, oh good for your Mom, and I hope you enjoy the chicken. 🙂
Kelly says
Could you do this dish with chicken breast? If so what would the cook time be?
Rosemary says
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.
Julie says
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.
Rosemary says
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.
Teresa says
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.
Rosemary says
Hi Teresa, sounds delicious. I will have to try it. Thanks.
Stephanie says
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!
Anna L says
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.
Paola says
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!!!!
rose says
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.