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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.

Pan fried chicken on a white plate.


 

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. 

Raw chicken in a pan.

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.

Chicken on a white plate.

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

Cutting the chicken and a piece on a fork.

This quick and easy Fried Chicken Recipe makes the perfect any night of the week meal. Buon Appetito!

Chicken on a white plate with potatoes.

Italian Pan Fried Chicken

Rosemary Molloy
Italian Fried Chicken,a delicious moist and tender chicken dish. Made with fresh Italian spices, fast and easy, the perfect weeknight recipe.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 340 kcal

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

You can check to make sure that chicken is done by using an instant-read thermometer, the chicken should be at least 165°F/74C when cooked.
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Protein: 21g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 546mg | Potassium: 270mg | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1.2mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

Republished from August 2014

23 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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.

    1. 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.

  2. 5 stars
    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

    1. 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.

      1. 5 stars
        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.

      2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 5 stars
    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.

  5. 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!!!!

    1. 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.

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