Introduction

This Zesty Italian BFC is a crispy, flavorful baked chicken dish that combines aromatic herbs with a crunchy breadcrumb coating. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and promises a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (room temperature & patted dry)
2 lbs chicken drumsticks
2 eggs
2 packets of zesty Italian dressing mix (divided)
2 tbsp dried rosemary
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 ½ cups plain panko breadcrumbs
2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
3 oz grated parmesan
¼ cup olive oil (divided)

Instructions

Step 1: 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. Mix well using your hands until everything is fully incorporated. Set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: In a large ziplock bag, add plain panko breadcrumbs, seasoned panko breadcrumbs, the remaining packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, and grated parmesan. Seal the bag and shake to combine. Set aside.
Step 3: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a baking rack on top. This rack is essential to help the chicken get crispy all around.
Step 4: After marinating, add a few pieces of chicken (around 3 at a time) into the breadcrumb mixture bag. Seal and shake until the chicken is fully coated. Place the coated chicken pieces on the baking rack. If some spots aren’t fully covered, press extra breadcrumbs onto the chicken. Save the leftover breadcrumbs for later.
Step 5: Drizzle about 1/8 cup (or more) of olive oil evenly over the chicken pieces. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for 1 hour. When 40 minutes have passed, flip each piece over. If some breading has fallen off, add more from the saved breadcrumbs. Drizzle about another 1/8 cup of olive oil on this side and bake for the remaining 20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, make sure the chicken is patted dry before marinating and avoid overcrowding the baking rack.
Substitute dried rosemary with dried thyme or oregano for a different herb flavor.
If you prefer, swap chicken drumsticks with wings for a smaller portion.
Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place chicken on a baking rack in a 375°F oven for about 10-15 minutes to keep it crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it may make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Yes, marinating overnight in the refrigerator will deepen the flavors, but be sure to cover the bowl well and bring the chicken back to room temperature before coating and baking.

Is it necessary to use a baking rack?

Using a baking rack allows air to circulate around the chicken, helping it crisp up evenly on all sides. Without it, the bottom may become soggy, so it’s highly recommended but not absolutely required.

Zesty Italian BFC Recipe

Print Recipe

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This Zesty Italian BFC recipe features juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks marinated in zesty Italian dressing and herbs, then coated in a flavorful blend of seasoned and plain panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan. Baked to crispy, golden perfection using a baking rack to ensure crispiness on both sides, this dish offers an easy, delicious way to enjoy a healthier baked fried chicken alternative with bold Italian flavors.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

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

Breading

2 ½ cups plain panko breadcrumbs
2 cups seasoned panko breadcrumbs
1 packet zesty Italian dressing mix
3 oz grated Parmesan cheese

Finishing

¼ cup olive oil (divided, about 1/8 cup for each side of chicken)

Instructions

Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs and drumsticks with the eggs, 1 packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, dried rosemary, chopped fresh parsley, and cracked black pepper. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until well incorporated. Cover and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
Prepare the breadcrumb coating: In a large ziplock 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 well to evenly combine all breadcrumb ingredients. Set this mixture aside for coating the chicken.
Set up baking equipment: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place a baking rack on top of the foil-lined sheet. The rack is essential to allow air circulation and ensure the chicken crisps evenly on both sides during baking.
Coat the chicken pieces: After marinating, place 3 pieces of chicken into the prepared breadcrumb mixture bag at a time. Seal the bag and shake vigorously until each piece is evenly coated in the breadcrumb mixture. Remove the coated chicken and arrange it on the baking rack spaced evenly. Press extra breadcrumbs onto any bare spots to ensure full coverage. Reserve any leftover breadcrumb mixture for later use.
Add olive oil and bake: Drizzle about 1/8 cup of olive oil evenly over the top of the coated chicken pieces on the baking rack. Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven at 425°F. Bake for 40 minutes, then carefully flip each piece of chicken. If necessary, recoat any bare spots with leftover breadcrumbs and drizzle another 1/8 cup of olive oil over the flipped side. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden crispy. Serve and enjoy your Zesty Italian BFC!

Notes

Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes intensifies the flavor, but marinating for up to 2 hours is even better.
Using a baking rack ensures that the chicken crisps evenly and doesn’t sit in its own juices, preventing sogginess.
For even crispier results, you can broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning.
This recipe works best with bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces to retain moisture and flavor during baking.
Make sure to pat the chicken dry before marinating to help the breading adhere better.

Keywords: Zesty Italian BFC, baked fried chicken, crispy chicken thighs, Italian dressing chicken, panko breadcrumb chicken, healthy fried chicken alternative