Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Tara Smithson · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Crispy Chicken Fritta is breaded and pan fried to perfection! It's an Olive Garden Copycat recipe, but even better at home. It's great paired with risotto, pasta, or potatoes and is ready in under 30 minutes!

this recipe

This crispy chicken cutlet recipe is thinly sliced and sautés in the skillet until golden brown. Traditionally, Chicken Fritta is dipped in milk rather than egg, but I found that created a really soggy version.

After testing this recipe several times, my favorite way was to marinate the chicken in milk and still use egg for dipping. It turns out perfect!

For more weeknight Chicken Dinners, try this Hash Brown Chicken Casserole, Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, and Creamy Chicken and Noodles Recipe.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe:
  • Ingredients:
  • Substitutions and Variations:
  • How to Make Crispy Chicken Fritta:
  • Expert Tips:
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • What to Serve with Crispy Chicken:
  • Storage:
  • More Dinner Recipes You Will Love:

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

  • It is a super versatile recipe. You can serve it with my easy honey mustard recipe or chipotle mayo and french fries or fancy it up and cover it with my homemade pasta sauce and mozzarella for Chicken Parmesan. Yum!
  • It takes less than 30 minutes to make.
  • This recipe is crispy and delicious with a bit of cheesiness from the parmesan.

Looking for more dinners filled with flavor? Try my boneless beef short ribs, Creamy Basil Pasta, and Chicken and chorizo paella.

Ingredients:

Chicken Cutlets- In this recipe, we use the flat side of a kitchen mallet to create thin cutlets. These fry up quickly and are perfectly browned.

Whole Milk- Milk helps tenderize the chicken. The enzymes in the milk help to break down the protein in the meat.

Panko- Panko gives the batter an airy, light texture and absorbs less oil than traditional breadcrumbs.

Breadcrumbs- For a bit of traditional, Italian style coating

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese- My favorite cheese to bring out a nutty flavor and parmesan crust on the chicken

Flour- To allow the egg to stick to the chicken

Eggs-To help the batter to adhere to the chicken

*Full recipe ingredients and quantities are listed in the recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations:

The parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano, for a saltier taste.

Equipment substitution: If you don't have a kitchen mallet, use a rolling pin or the bottom of a pan to pound out the meat.

How to Make Crispy Chicken Fritta:

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (2)

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Cutlets

Begin by patting dry the chicken breast and slicing each chicken breast into two thin breasts, making 4 total breasts. Using the flat side of a kitchen mallet, pound each chicken breast about 10 times each to thin them into cutlets. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Chef Tip: To avoid chicken juice flying around, cover with plastic wrap before using the mallet.

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (3)

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Add milk into a bowl and place the chicken into the milk for 10 minutes.

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (4)

Step 3: Dip Chicken Into Breading

Get three medium size bowls or pie plates ready for the dipping process.

Bowl 1: Add in flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper

Bowl 2: Crack the eggs and whisk

Bowl 3: Toss together the Panko, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt.

Dip the chicken into the flour mixture using the hands or tongs.

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (5)

Step 4: Next, dredge the chicken cutlet into the egg mixture and cover entirely.

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (6)

Step 5: Lastly, dip the chicken into the panko bowl. Make sure to really coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture.

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (7)

Step 6: Fry the Chicken Fritta. Place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium high heat. Pour in the vegetable oil and allow it to heat up to 375 degrees. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken is crispy, browned and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Transfer to a baking sheet with rack and cover with foil.

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (8)

Step 7: Allow it to cool for just a few minutes before serving. It is best hot and fresh. Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips:

  • To avoid chicken juice flying around, cover with plastic wrap before using the mallet to thin out the chicken.
  • The oil temperature is super important for the correct results. Make sure it's around 375 degrees before adding in the chicken. To make sure the oil is hot enough, toss a piece of breadcrumb in the oil or just dip the very end of the chicken in and make sure it is really bubbling before dropping the whole piece of chicken into the oil.
  • Be sure that the chicken is cooked entirely, by making sure it is no longer pink inside and/or a thermometer should read 165 degrees. Mine were completely cooked after frying. However, if the chicken is not cooked, finish it off in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes and re-check the temperature.

For more Crispy Chicken recipes, try Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Crispy Chicken Burgers, and Crispy Chicken Romano.

Recipe FAQs:

Why do you soak the chicken in milk before frying?

Milk works to tenderize the chicken. Don't worry, you only need to leave it in the milk for 10 minutes.

Why use panko breadcrumbs?

I might be breaking the rules by using classic bread crumbs along with Panko, but it totally works here. I love Panko for it's airy, light texture when frying, but I wanted traditional breadcrumbs in the mix as well. It creates the best combo!

How to know if the oil is hot enough for frying?

Make sure the oil is hot enough to avoid soggy, oil soaked chicken. It should be around 375 degrees. Instead of using a thermometer, I either toss a piece of breadcrumb in the oil or just dip the very end of the chicken in and make sure it is really bubbling before dropping the whole piece of chicken into the oil.

Do I need flour to fry chicken?

The flour helps the egg to stick to the chicken to then be dipped in the breadcrumbs. For the best crispy chicken, you will need flour.

What to Serve with Crispy Chicken:

This crispy chicken goes well with so many recipes! Pair it with my Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or pesto gnocchi!

For Chicken Parmesan, try my Homemade Marinara Pasta Sauce. Top the Crispy chicken with a piece of mozzarella cheese and broil for a minute in the oven. Serve with a nice helping of your favorite pasta tossed in Marinara. Don't forget the Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing without Anchovies.

For an easy Friday night meal, serve this crispy chicken with fries or tater tots and some fun sauce options like bbq, smash burger sauce, and honey mustard.

Storage:

This recipe can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat by placing the chicken on a cookie sheet and baking at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until hot.

More Dinner Recipes You Will Love:

  • Grilled Chicken Pesto Sandwich
  • Couscous Stuffed Peppers
  • Mini Turkey Meatloaf Muffins (in a Muffin Tin)
  • Blackened Salmon in the Air Fryer

If you tried this Chicken Fritta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

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Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (13)

Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat)

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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Tara Smithson
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

ThisCrispy Chicken Frittais breaded and pan fried to perfection! This parmesan crusted chicken absolutely blows the Olive Garden's chicken away.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 chicken breasts (about a 1 pound package)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¾ cup plain bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano cheese, shredded finely
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • Optional: lemon wedges and parsley for serving

Instructions

  1. Begin by patting dry the chicken breast and slicing each chicken breast into two thin breasts, making 4 total breasts. Using the flat side of a kitchen mallet, pound each chicken about 10 times each to tenderize and thin the breast. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Add milk into a bowl and place the chicken into the milk for 10 minutes.
  3. Use three medium size bowls or pie plates for the dipping process.Bowl 1: Add in flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper Bowl 2: Whisk the eggs Bowl 3: Whisk together the Panko, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt.
  4. Dip the chicken into the flour mixture.Then, dip it into the egg mixture.Lastly, dip the chicken into the panko bowl. Use your hands to really coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture.
  5. Place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium high heat. Pour in the vegetable oil and allow it to heat up to 375 degrees. *To make sure the oil is hot enough, toss a piece of breadcrumb in the oil or just dip the very end of the chicken in and make sure it is really bubbling before dropping the whole piece of chicken into the oil.
  6. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken is crispy, browned and the internal temperature reaching 165 degrees. Transfer to a baking sheet with rack and cover with foil.
  7. Allow it to cool for just a few minutes before serving. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • To avoid chicken juice flying around, cover with plastic wrap before using the mallet to thin out the chicken.
  • The oil temperature is super important for the correct results. Make sure it's around 375 degrees before adding in the chicken.
  • Be sure that the chicken is cooked entirely, by making sure it is no longer pink inside and/or a thermometer should read 165 degrees. Mine were completely cooked after frying. However, if the chicken is not cooked, finish it off in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes and re-check the temperature.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: dinner
  • Method: pan fried
  • Cuisine: italian
Crispy Chicken Fritta (Olive Garden Copycat Recipe) - Simply Made Eats (2024)

FAQs

How many calories are in olive garden crispy chicken fritta? ›

Olive Garden Create Your Own Pasta, Crispy Chicken Fritta (1 Serving) contains 14g total carbs, 13g net carbs, 12g fat, 20g protein, and 240 calories.

How to make crispy chicken after frying? ›

To keep your freshly fried chicken crisp for a few hours, Follow these steps:
  1. The oven should be set to 200 degrees F (100 degrees C).
  2. Set a wire rack on top of the baking pan or roasting tray.
  3. Once you've cooked an entire batch or piece of chicken, take it from the fryer and then place it on the rack.
Aug 28, 2022

How to reheat fried chicken in the UK? ›

To get the best results, place a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate and set the fried chicken on top. Microwave in 30-second intervals, flipping each time until the chicken has warmed up. The paper towel will help absorb some of the moisture that rises to the surface.

Should I use cornstarch or flour for crispy chicken? ›

When paired with all-purpose flour, cornstarch helps prevent gluten development, which makes the flour coating crispier, and absorb moisture (from the frying and the chicken), which also means a crispier coating. If you already have a favorite fried chicken recipe, try replacing a quarter of the flour with cornstarch.

Is cornstarch or baking soda better for crispy chicken? ›

The baking powder raises the pH of the surface, allowing it to crisp better*), and tossing in plain cornstarch to absorb some surface moisture and create a rougher texture for the batter to adhere to. *See more on the science of baking powder and chicken wings in this article on oven-fried buffalo wings.

Is olive garden healthy for you? ›

Olive Garden's healthiest meals come from their Lighter Italian Fare menu. Olive Garden claims that their Lighter Italian Fare menu items are inspired by Italy's Mediterranean Coast where the diet is primarily vegetables, whole grains, herbs and spices, and olive oil.

What is fritta Olive Garden? ›

Olive Garden chicken fritta has quickly become another favorite of mine. Chicken breasts are fried in a Parmesan cheese-infused batter and paired with a quick and easy-to-make alfredo sauce over fettucini.

What is the lowest calorie meal at Olive Garden? ›

10+ Lowest Calorie Olive Garden Orders Under 500 Calories
  • Minestrone Soup.
  • Pasta fa*gioli Soup.
  • Zuppa Toscana Soup.
  • Chicken & Gnocchi Soup.
  • Famous House Salad.
  • Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce.
  • Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks.
  • Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce.
Nov 29, 2023

Does cornstarch make chicken crispy? ›

My not-so-secret tip to the best fried chicken is a combination of FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, and BAKING POWDER. When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.)

What makes chicken crispy, baking soda or baking powder? ›

That trick is a sprinkling of baking powder, and it'll get you the crispiest, crackliest bites of fatty, salty skin imaginable, whether you're cooking just one thigh, a plate of wings, or an entire bird. Baking powder, it turns out, is good for quite a lot more than baking.

Do you dip chicken in egg before frying? ›

Submerge the chicken in the egg wash. Remove the chicken from the egg wash and dredge it in the flour a second time. Shake off the excess flour and place the chicken skin-side down in the hot oil.

Can I eat week old KFC? ›

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

Can you eat KFC left out overnight? ›

Whether the cooked chicken has been sitting out for a few hours or overnight, you cannot tell it is safe to eat by its appearance, taste, smell and texture. The two-hour rule still stands; do not attempt to taste the chicken, as this may increase your risk for food poisoning.

Is KFC ok to eat the next day? ›

It is good news because yes, you can reheat KFC. If you realise that you have way too much chicken in your bucket, simply put it in a container and store it in your fridge. As long as your takeaway is stored the right way, it is safe to reheat it the next day.

How do Chinese get their chicken so crispy? ›

The chicken is then air-dried for 10 to 12 hours before being flash-fried, then oil-poached. The skin gets its signature crispiness from 10 to 12 minutes of basting with scalding hot oil right before serving.

Is baking powder or soda better for crispy chicken? ›

It may sounds unappealing, but coating chicken wings in seasoned baking powder is what makes the skin super crispy. You won't taste it in the end results, so long as you use aluminium-free. To be clear, make sure you use baking powder, NOT baking soda, because there is a big difference!

Why isn't my chicken coming out crispy? ›

If your oil temp is too high, your fried chicken will be scorched on the outside with meat that is undercooked. If the oil is too cool, your chicken will be greasy and will lack the golden-brown crispy exterior you want.

Why doesn't my chicken come out crispy? ›

If the oil isn't hot enough when you start frying the chicken, the chicken will absorb too much oil and won't get crispy. You want to make sure that the oil is at the right temperature before you start frying the chicken. The ideal temperature for frying chicken is around 350°F.

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