Baked Breaded Chicken

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Pull the skin from the chicken; it will pull away quickly.

2. Step 2

   Tear the bread into small pieces and place in a food processor with the onion and your chosen herbs. Blitz briefly in the processor, do not over chop, you want the crumb to remain chunky. If you do not have a food processor, break the bread into pieces as small as possible and add the chopped onion and parsley. 

3. Step 3

   Place the breadcrumb mixture in a large mixing bowl.

4. Step 4

   Melt the butter and pour over the breadcrumbs then add the lemon juice. Stir well but gently, to thoroughly coat the bread with the butter.

5. Step 5

   Place the flour in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Break the eggs into another bowl and beat lightly with a fork.

6. Step 6

   Roll a chicken piece in the flour. Tap it on the side of the bowl to remove any excess flour then immediately dip into the beaten egg. Finally, roll the chicken in the breadcrumbs.

7. Step 7

   Using your hands, press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken so it has a thick coating of bread. Place the coated chicken piece onto a lightly greased baking tray.

8. Step 8

   Repeat with all the chicken thighs then place onto the baking sheet with the chicken pieces into the fridge for one hour.

9. Step 9

   Cook in a preheated oven 400 F / 200 C / Gas 6 for 30 to 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown, crunchy and the chicken cooked right through.

10. Step 10

    Serve hot with coleslaw, seasonal veggies or even a salad. The chicken is also rather lovely cold which makes it perfect for lunch boxes, for picnics or the buffet table.

11. Step 11

    The breadcrumbs can be made in advance and frozen in plastic bags.