3-Ingredient Pesto Fried Chicken

Name: 3-Ingredient Pesto Fried Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 16 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups vegetable oil; 1 cup plain fine breadcrumbs; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs; to taste kosher salt and pepper; ¼ cup basil pesto; 1 piece deep-fry thermometer

Crispy fried chicken thighs coated in breadcrumbs and basil pesto, creating a delicious Italian-inspired twist on classic fried chicken. Perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.

4 servings

22 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•2 cups vegetable oil
•1 cup plain fine breadcrumbs
•1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
•to taste kosher salt and pepper
•¼ cup basil pesto
•1 piece deep-fry thermometer

Cooking Instructions

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.
10 min
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.
5 min
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.
6 min
4.
Serve chicken with pesto alongside for dipping.
1 min