Pickle-Brined Chicken Cutlets (Print Version)

Tender chicken soak in pickle brine, crumb-coated and pan-fried for a crispy, flavorful meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1 ½ cups dill pickle brine
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

06 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 2 tablespoons water
09 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
12 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt

→ For Frying

13 - ½ cup neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or sunflower)

→ Serving (optional)

14 - Lemon wedges
15 - Fresh dill, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to a uniform thickness of ½ inch.
02 - Combine chicken, pickle brine, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - Remove chicken from brine and pat dry. Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and water, and one with panko breadcrumbs seasoned with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt.
04 - Dredge each cutlet in flour, then dip into egg mixture, and finally coat evenly with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
05 - Heat neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken cutlets in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
06 - Transfer cooked cutlets to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately garnished with lemon wedges and fresh dill if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Juicy flavorful chicken
  • Irresistible crisp breadcrumb crust
02 -
  • Marinating chicken in pickle brine tenderizes and flavors the meat
  • Panko breadcrumbs create a crisp coating
03 -
  • Pat chicken dry after marinating to help coating stick better
  • Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan
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