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Zesty Italian BFC Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 123 reviews

Zesty Italian BFC is a flavorful and crispy baked fried chicken recipe featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks marinated in zesty Italian dressing and herbs, coated with a Parmesan-infused breadcrumb mix, and baked to golden perfection for a healthier twist on classic fried chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

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
  • 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
  • 3 oz grated Parmesan cheese

Other

  • ¼ cup olive oil (divided, approx. 1/8 cup for each side when baking)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, eggs, 1 packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, dried rosemary, chopped fresh parsley, and cracked black pepper. Use your hands to thoroughly mix until all ingredients are well incorporated. Cover and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  2. Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture: In a large Ziploc bag, add the plain panko breadcrumbs, seasoned panko breadcrumbs, the remaining packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, and grated Parmesan cheese. Seal the bag and shake vigorously to evenly combine all the dry ingredients.
  3. Setup for Baking: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a baking rack on top. The baking rack allows heat circulation and ensures the chicken crisps evenly on all sides.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Once marinated, working in batches of about three pieces at a time, add the chicken pieces into the breadcrumb mixture bag. Seal the bag and shake until each piece is fully coated. Transfer coated chicken onto the prepared baking rack. Press any uncovered spots on the chicken with leftover breadcrumbs for complete coverage. Save remaining breadcrumbs for later use.
  5. Apply Oil and Bake: Drizzle approximately 1/8 cup of olive oil evenly over the coated chicken pieces on the rack to help crispiness and browning. Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) and bake for 1 hour total. After 40 minutes, carefully flip each piece to ensure even cooking. If some breading detached, press more from the saved breadcrumbs onto those spots. Drizzle another 1/8 cup of olive oil over the flipped pieces and continue baking for the remaining 20 minutes.
  6. Serve: Once baked to a golden crispy finish and internal chicken temperature is safe, remove from oven and serve hot. Enjoy your crispy, zesty Italian baked fried chicken!

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken for longer, up to 2 hours or overnight, will deepen the flavor.
  • Using a wire rack on the baking sheet is essential for crispiness, allowing fat and moisture to drip away.
  • Ensure chicken is patted dry before marinating to help the coating adhere better.
  • You can substitute fresh herbs if preferred, but drying rosemary and parsley works well with this recipe.
  • Check the internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer for safety; it should reach 165°F (74°C).
  • Use a light drizzle of olive oil; too much oil may reduce crispiness by making the coating soggy.

Keywords: Zesty Italian chicken, baked fried chicken, crispy chicken, Parmesan breadcrumb chicken, Italian dressing chicken, baked chicken recipe

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/zesty-italian-bfc-recipe/