Zesty Italian BFC Recipe

Introduction

This Zesty Italian BFC is a flavorful twist on classic baked fried chicken. Coated in a zesty Italian breadcrumb mix and baked until crispy, it’s juicy, aromatic, and perfect for a comforting meal without the mess of frying.

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (room temperature & patted dry)
• 2 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 2 eggs
• 2 packets of zesty Italian dressing mix (divided)
• 2 tbsp dried rosemary
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 2 ½ cups plain panko breadcrumbs
• 2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
• 3 oz grated parmesan
• ¼ cup olive oil (divided)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, drumsticks, eggs, 1 packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, dried rosemary, chopped fresh parsley, and cracked black pepper. Mix well using your hands until everything is fully incorporated. Set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a large resealable plastic bag, add the plain breadcrumbs, seasoned breadcrumbs, the remaining packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, and grated parmesan. Seal the bag and shake well to combine. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a baking rack on top. The rack helps the chicken cook evenly and stay crispy on all sides.
4. Step 4: After marinating, add 3 pieces of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture bag. Seal and shake until the chicken is fully coated. Place coated chicken on the baking rack. Press extra breadcrumbs onto any bare spots. Reserve leftover breadcrumb mixture for later.
5. Step 5: Drizzle about 1/8 cup of olive oil evenly over the coated chicken. Bake at 425°F for 1 hour. After 40 minutes, flip each piece of chicken. If any breading has fallen off, add more from the reserved crumbs. Drizzle another 1/8 cup of olive oil over the flipped side and continue baking for the final 20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, use a convection oven setting if available to circulate hot air around the chicken.
• Substitute fresh rosemary for dried if preferred, using about 1 tablespoon chopped finely.
• Try swapping grated parmesan for Pecorino Romano for a sharper cheese flavor.
• Serve with a side of marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken on a baking rack in a 375°F oven for about 10-15 minutes to help maintain its crispy coating. Avoid microwaving as it can make the breading soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs or breasts can be used but may require shorter baking time. Monitor closely to avoid drying out the meat.

Is it necessary to marinate the chicken?

Marinating helps infuse flavor and tenderize the chicken, but if short on time, you can skip this step. The coating will still provide good flavor and texture.

Zesty Italian BFC Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 120 reviews

This Zesty Italian BFC recipe delivers crispy, flavorful bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks coated in a zesty Italian breadcrumb mixture and baked to perfection. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of eggs, Italian dressing mix, herbs, and spices, then coated with seasoned panko and parmesan cheese breadcrumbs before baking on a rack to achieve a deliciously crispy crust all around. Perfect for a family dinner or gathering, this baked fried chicken combines the best of bold Italian flavors with a healthy baked cooking method.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 10–12 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (room temperature & patted dry)
• 2 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 2 eggs
• 1 packet Zesty Italian dressing mix (of 2 packets, divided)
• 2 tbsp dried rosemary
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper

Breadcrumb Coating

• 2 ½ cups plain panko breadcrumbs
• 2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
• 1 packet Zesty Italian dressing mix (remaining 1 packet)
• 3 oz grated Parmesan cheese

Additional

• ¼ cup olive oil (divided into 2 portions for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, eggs, 1 packet of the zesty Italian dressing mix, dried rosemary, chopped fresh parsley, and cracked black pepper. Use your hands to mix thoroughly ensuring the chicken is fully coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes to infuse flavors.
2. Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture: In a large Ziploc bag, add plain panko breadcrumbs, seasoned panko breadcrumbs, the remaining packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, and grated Parmesan cheese. Seal the bag and shake well until all ingredients are evenly combined. Set aside.
3. Set Up for Baking: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a baking rack on top. The rack is essential to allow air circulation which ensures the chicken crisps evenly on both sides during baking.
4. Coat the Chicken: Once marinated, place 3 pieces of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture bag. Seal the bag and shake to coat the chicken fully in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Remove and place coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking rack. If spots appear without coating, gently press additional breadcrumbs from the bag onto those areas. Save leftover breadcrumbs in the bag for later use.
5. Drizzle with Olive Oil and Bake: Drizzle approximately 1/8 cup of olive oil evenly over the coated chicken pieces on the rack. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven preheated to 425°F (220°C). Bake for 40 minutes.
6. Flip and Finish Baking: After 40 minutes, carefully flip each piece of chicken to allow even browning and crisping on the other side. If any breading has fallen off, press more breadcrumbs from the saved bag onto the chicken as needed. Drizzle about another 1/8 cup of olive oil over the flipped side. Continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and golden crispy.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Remove chicken from the oven and allow to rest briefly before serving. Enjoy your crispy, flavorful Zesty Italian BFC!

Notes

• Marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) can enhance flavor absorption.
• Using a baking rack is crucial for air circulation to keep the chicken crispy all around.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of olive oil drizzled to achieve desired crispiness and moisture.
• Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure safely cooked poultry.
• Leftover coated breadcrumbs can be reused for another batch or stored in an airtight container for a day.

Keywords: Zesty Italian BFC, Baked Fried Chicken, Crispy Italian Chicken, Oven Baked Chicken, Panko Chicken, Italian Herb Chicken