Savor the Crunch With This Crispy Grilled Fried Chicken Recipe

Give traditional grilled chicken breasts a summertime twist by making flavorful fried chicken on your outdoor grill instead of in the deep fryer. Try this recipe for a weeknight meal or holiday weekend when friends and family gather around the grill. They'll love the crunchy, zesty breadcrumb coating. Like many grilled chicken recipes, this dish features a buttermilk marinade that keeps the chicken nice and moist.

Grilled Chicken Marinade Ingredients

· 2 cups buttermilk

· 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

· 2 cloves diced garlic

· 1 teaspoon salt

· 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

· 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or paprika

Fried Chicken Ingredients

· 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

· 1 cup fine breadcrumbs or Panko breading

· 1 tablespoon olive oil

· 1 egg, beaten

· ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

· 1 teaspoon dried thyme

· 1 teaspoon dried basil

· ½ teaspoon salt

· ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

· All-purpose flour

Step One

Whisk together the chicken marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts to a plastic zipper bag. Pour the marinade into the bag and coat the chicken breasts evenly. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.

Step Two 

In a frying pan, combine the breadcrumbs, olive oil, herbs, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Stir to coat the breadcrumbs in the oil. Saute the breading mixture until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned.

Step Three

Remove the marinated chicken breasts from the bag and place them between two sheets of wax paper. Use a rolling pin to pound the breasts out to a thickness of 1 inch.

Step Four

Pour the beaten egg onto a plate. Add all-purpose flour to a separate dish. Add the browned breadcrumbs into a third dish. Coat each chicken breast in flour, then egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, dip the breasts in the egg and breadcrumbs a second time to add another layer of breading.

Step Five 

Place the chicken breasts on the grill over medium heat. Cook them for 5 minutes on each side or until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve with caprese salad or on buns with your favorite sandwich toppings.