Thank you to Foster Farms® for sponsoring today’s easy Pan Fried Chicken recipe! I love fried chicken but don’t make it at home often because it seems too messy, difficult, and unhealthy. This version isn’t any of those things. You can make it in under a half hour; it only uses a little oil; and the cleanup isn’t bad at all!
Have you seen the new Foster Farms® Simply Raised fresh chicken in your grocery store yet? I’m excited to see a widely-available brand of chicken that is all natural. I’m always looking for brands that raise their animals in humane ways and avoid the use of antibiotics and hormones. Simply Raised chicken is raised without antibiotics, American Humane Certified, 100% natural, and grown locally in California, Oregon, and Washington. This chicken will definitely be making a regular appearance in my shopping cart, so I was excited when Foster Farms® invited me to write a recipe for them.
The only trouble with this request is that a recipe using chicken is pretty broad! I think chicken is surely one my most used ingredients here at The Weary Chef, so I had a hard time narrowing down the endless choices. I decided to make a recipe for you that would really show off this natural, juicy chicken, and I think this pan-fried chicken with a cornmeal crust did it!
My oldest went a little nuts when he tasted this cornmeal chicken. He said there was no way it could be homemade because it was too good. I guess I should be flattered that he thought my chicken was as good as frozen chicken tenders. Clearly, I don’t make fried chicken at home that often, so this was a real treat! It’s hardly even fried really. You just use a little oil to brown the crust, so it’s not heavy or oily. It’s pretty quick and easy too! I’ll show you:
How to make pan fried cornmeal crusted chicken
Step 1: Start with Foster Farms® Simply Raised Thin-Sliced Chicken Breasts. If you get regular, thick chicken breasts, you should butterfly cut them to be thin so they are sure to be done in the center before the outside burns.
Step 2: Dip each piece of chicken into a mixture of egg, sour cream, and Cajun seasoning. Let the excess drip off.
Step 3: Press both sides of the chicken into a cornmeal and flour mixture, and shake off the excess.
Step 4: Cook chicken in a hot skillet with just enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F. We enjoyed this pan fried chicken with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans. It was a dinner I could make in about a half hour that reminded me of a good Southern meal. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Why this cornmeal pan fried chicken recipe works
I don’t do a lot of pan frying at home because I hate the mess it makes and it can be hard to regulate the temperature of the oil on a stovetop. That being said this recipe came out great and was much easier and less messy than a lot of other fried chicken recipes. Here is why this recipe works so well.
Using thin sliced or butterflied chicken breasts allows you to cook the chicken in less oil and more quickly. This helps reduce the mess and easier to control the temperature.
The sour cream and egg mixture creates a nice sticky bond between the cornmeal and the chicken and the sour cream adds more flavor than using just egg. Many recipes use just buttermilk but I find the egg and sour cream mixture works best. I also generally have both those in my fridge, but not buttermilk.
Cornmeal has a nice crunchy texture and wont burn as easily as flour which makes it more forgiving when pan frying chicken at home.
This recipe also works great for fish and you can substitute tilapia, cod, snapper, catfish or grouper filets for the chicken breasts.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream, and Cajun seasoning. In another bowl (with a dry utensil), stir together cornmeal and flour.
Pour enough oil in a 10 or 12″ skillet just to cover the bottom (about 1/8″ deep). The amount will vary depending on the size of your skillet. Heat over medium-high heat until oil is very hot.
Meanwhile, dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, coating both sides, and allow the excess to drip off. Then, press both sides of chicken into cornmeal mixture, and shake off excess.
Cook chicken pieces in hot oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches at least 160 degrees F. Serve immediately to enjoy crispy coating.
Look for Foster Farms® Simply Raised products at your grocery store, and keep an eye out for their organic line in Costco now and at select grocery stores in California, Washington and Oregon!
Thank you again to Foster Farms® for sponsoring this easy chicken recipe.
Looking for more chicken breast recipes? Try these on for size!
Cheesy Hasselback ChickenSour Cream and Onion Potato Chip Chicken
Andi Gleeson
Andi Gleeson is a passionate blogger and mom based in San Francisco who focuses on easy and delicious dinner recipes.
6 comments
Moira
9 months ago
I made this tonight for dinner, and it was great! Instead of yogurt I used one egg and 1/4 cup of buttermilk. I will definitely make it again.
Kris
7 years ago
I tried this tonight. I didn’t have Cajun seasoning or cayenne but I found some buffalo mix in my pantry so I used that. My kids loved it. I will def pick up Cajun spices to try it again. Thank you!
Ravin
10 years ago
I’ve just tried it with a side of spinach and potatoes it is delicious I will be using this recipe more often ??
Andi Gleeson
10 years ago
Thanks, Ravin! So glad you liked it!
Joanne
10 years ago
Hi Andi! I have never had fried chicken using cornmeal. I will definitely try this for my guys.
Andi
10 years ago
I think you’ll like the texture it adds to the breading, Joanne. Thank you!
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6 comments
I made this tonight for dinner, and it was great! Instead of yogurt I used one egg and 1/4 cup of buttermilk. I will definitely make it again.
I tried this tonight. I didn’t have Cajun seasoning or cayenne but I found some buffalo mix in my pantry so I used that. My kids loved it. I will def pick up Cajun spices to try it again. Thank you!
I’ve just tried it with a side of spinach and potatoes it is delicious I will be using this recipe more often ??
Thanks, Ravin! So glad you liked it!
Hi Andi! I have never had fried chicken using cornmeal. I will definitely try this for my guys.
I think you’ll like the texture it adds to the breading, Joanne. Thank you!