Name: Garlic Chicken Fried Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons garlic powder, or to taste; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon paprika; ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs; 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup milk; 1 egg; 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded thin; 1 cup oil for frying, or as needed

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This crispy, flavorful garlic chicken fried chicken is a crowd-pleasing comfort food classic with an extra punch of garlic. The chicken breasts are pounded thin, coated in a seasoned breading, and fried to golden perfection, creating a delicious crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This garlic chicken fried chicken brings restaurant-quality taste to your home kitchen. The combination of garlic powder, paprika, and seasoned breadcrumbs creates a deeply satisfying flavor profile that elevates traditional fried chicken. It’s quick enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for guests. The pounded chicken breasts cook evenly and quickly, meaning you’ll have this delicious meal on the table in under 40 minutes. Plus, the simple ingredients are likely already in your pantry, making this a convenient go-to recipe when you’re craving something crispy and flavorful.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour provides the base for our coating, creating that classic crispy exterior when fried. It helps seal in the chicken’s moisture while giving us that golden-brown crust we all love.

Garlic powder is the star seasoning here, infusing the coating with rich, aromatic flavor that permeates the entire dish. Feel free to adjust according to your garlic preference.

Seasoned bread crumbs add texture and flavor to the coating. They create a crunchier exterior than flour alone would provide and come pre-seasoned for extra convenience.

Paprika adds a subtle smoky sweetness and beautiful color to the finished chicken. You can use sweet or smoked paprika depending on your preference.

Salt and black pepper are essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors. The pepper adds a mild heat that complements the garlic beautifully.

Milk helps create the wet dipping mixture that allows the dry coating to adhere to the chicken. It also adds a slight tenderness to the coating.

Egg acts as the binding agent, helping the seasoned coating stick to the chicken pieces and creating a richer coating texture.

Chicken breast halves form the foundation of this dish. Pounding them thin ensures quick, even cooking and tender results. You could substitute chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat.

Cooking oil is needed for frying. Any neutral oil with a high smoke point works well, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.

Directions

In a shallow dish, mix together the garlic powder, pepper, salt, paprika, bread crumbs and flour. In a separate dish, whisk together the milk and egg.
Heat the oil in an electric skillet set to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Dip the chicken into the egg and milk, then dredge in the dry ingredients until evenly coated.
Fry chicken in the hot oil for about 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from the oil with a slotted spatula, and serve.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 4 servings, perfect for a family dinner. Each serving consists of one fried chicken breast half.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Variations

Spicy Garlic Chicken: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dry mixture for a spicy kick.

Herb-Garlic Chicken: Mix in 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning or 1 teaspoon each of dried oregano, basil, and thyme to the breading mixture.

Parmesan Garlic Chicken: Add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the dry mixture for a cheesy flavor.

Lemon-Garlic Chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to the dry mixture and serve with lemon wedges.

Air Fryer Version: Spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray and air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Oven-Baked Version: Place breaded chicken on a baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and bake at a higher temperature (400°F) for about 20-25 minutes until crispy and cooked through.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerating: Store leftover garlic chicken fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, let it cool completely before refrigerating.

Freezing: This chicken freezes well for up to 3 months. Place cooled pieces on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together.

Reheating in the Oven: For the crispiest results, reheat in a preheated 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy again.

Reheating in the Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for perfectly crispy leftover chicken.

Reheating in the Microwave: While not ideal for maintaining crispness, you can microwave for 1-2 minutes if you’re in a hurry.

Make-Ahead Tips: You can prepare the breaded chicken ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying, which makes dinner prep even quicker.

FAQs

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when fully cooked. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part – the meat should be white throughout with no pink areas, and the juices should run clear.

Why do I need to pound the chicken breasts thin?

Pounding the chicken breasts ensures even cooking, tenderizes the meat, and reduces cooking time. It also helps the chicken cook more evenly without drying out the thinner parts before the thicker sections are done.

Can I use a regular skillet instead of an electric skillet?

Yes, you can use a regular skillet on the stovetop. Use a heavy-bottomed pan and a cooking thermometer to maintain the oil at 350°F (175°C). Without temperature control, you’ll need to monitor and adjust your heat more carefully.

What’s the best way to avoid soggy breading?

Ensure your oil is hot enough (350°F) before adding the chicken. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this lowers the oil temperature. Also, place fried chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet instead of directly on paper towels, which can trap steam and create sogginess.

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs work well and often stay more moist than breasts. The cooking time might be slightly different, so use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F.

How thin should I pound the chicken breasts?

Aim for an even thickness of about 1/2-inch throughout. This ensures quick and even cooking without drying out the meat.

Is there a way to make this recipe healthier?

You can bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying. Spray the breaded chicken with a little cooking oil and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or air-fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.

What side dishes go well with garlic chicken fried chicken?

This chicken pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob, green beans, or a simple garden salad. For a complete comfort food meal, serve with mac and cheese or biscuits and gravy.

Can I add more garlic flavor?

For an even more intense garlic flavor, you can add 1-2 minced fresh garlic cloves to the egg mixture or use garlic salt in place of regular salt (reducing the amount accordingly).

Why is my breading falling off during frying?

Make sure to shake off excess egg mixture before dredging in the dry ingredients. Press the breading firmly onto the chicken, then let the breaded chicken rest for about 5-10 minutes before frying to allow the coating to adhere better.

Conclusion

This garlic chicken fried chicken delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort. The crispy, well-seasoned exterior gives way to tender, juicy chicken inside, making it a satisfying meal that’s sure to please even picky eaters. What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility – it can be dressed up for company or served as a comforting weeknight meal. The extra garlic punch elevates it above standard fried chicken, while the straightforward preparation keeps it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. Whether you stick with the classic recipe or try one of the suggested variations, this dish is bound to become a regular in your meal rotation. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal that brings smiles around the dinner table.