Skip to main content

3-Ingredient Pesto Fried Chicken

4.1

(10)

3ingredient pesto fried chicken on a plate.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Molly Baz

In Epi's 3-Ingredient Recipes series, we show you how to make great food with just three ingredients (plus staples like oil, salt, and pepper).

We like breadcrumbs here for an old-school cutlet feel, but panko would work just fine in their place.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    20 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

Vegetable oil (for frying; about 2 cups)
1 cup plain fine breadcrumbs
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 large)
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup basil pesto, plus more for serving

Special Equipment

A deep-fry thermometer

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pour oil into a large heavy skillet fitted with thermometer to come 1/2" up sides. Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°F. Place breadcrumbs in a shallow dish or rimmed baking sheet.

    Step 2

    Season chicken all over with salt and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread 1/4 cup pesto all over chicken. Dip chicken into breadcrumbs, turning to coat and pressing with your fingertips to adhere.

    Step 3

    Carefully add chicken to hot oil, then reduce heat to medium. Fry 4 minutes, then flip and continue to fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack.

    Step 4

    Serve chicken with pesto alongside for dipping.

Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
No grill needed for this just-charred-enough sweet and spicy chicken.