Description
This Best Dill Pickle Chicken Recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts coated with a flavorful blend of spices, topped with creamy dill pickle ranch dressing, Parmesan cheese, and crispy breadcrumbs, then air fried to perfection. Garnished with fresh dill, this quick and easy dish brings a tangy and savory twist that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 ½ pounds, sliced in half horizontally
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Dressing and Topping
- ½ cup (120 g) dill pickle ranch dressing, plus more for serving
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 3 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
Garnish
- Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the spice mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to create a well-balanced seasoning blend.
- Season the chicken: Evenly coat each side of the horizontally sliced chicken breasts with the spice mixture, ensuring the flavors adhere well before cooking.
- Prepare the dressing topping: In another small bowl, mix the dill pickle ranch dressing with half (½ cup) of the grated Parmesan cheese. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the top of each seasoned chicken breast.
- Combine breadcrumb topping: In a third bowl, blend the remaining Parmesan cheese with plain breadcrumbs, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over each dressed chicken piece to create a crispy crust.
- Preheat and load air fryer: Place the coated chicken breasts carefully into your air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer’s size, cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
- Air fry the chicken: Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook the chicken for 8-10 minutes. Begin checking at 8 minutes to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption and optimal juiciness.
- Rest the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, enhancing flavor and tenderness.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped dill over the chicken and add a drizzle of extra dill pickle ranch dressing before serving for a bright, tangy finish.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken breasts are sliced evenly for uniform cooking.
- If you don’t have dill pickle ranch dressing, you can mix regular ranch dressing with some pickle juice to replicate the flavor.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and avoid overcooking.
- Working in batches in the air fryer prevents overcrowding and helps each piece cook evenly and develop a crispy crust.
- Use fresh dill for garnish to add a vibrant color and fresh herb flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast half
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
