Description
This Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken recipe is crispy, flavorful, and effortless. Juicy boneless chicken thighs are baked over sliced dill pickles, crusted with a golden Parmesan-cracker blend, and finished with a cool herbed caper sauce. It’s a weeknight dinner showstopper with texture, tang, and comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 ½ cups dill pickles, sliced
1 ½ cups crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz or Club)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
¼ cup chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons capers
¾ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Spread the sliced dill pickles across the baking sheet and place the chicken thighs directly on top. Press them lightly onto the pickles.
3. In a bowl, mix the crushed crackers, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
5. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture, then coat it fully in the Parmesan-cracker mixture. Press the coating onto each thigh to ensure it sticks well.
6. Place the coated chicken back on the pickle layer.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked.
8. While the chicken bakes, combine sour cream or Greek yogurt with chopped dill, capers, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt to make the herbed caper sauce. Chill until ready to serve.
9. Once the chicken is done, top each piece with a dollop of the sauce and garnish with extra dill. Serve hot.
Notes
To make the coating extra crunchy, let the coated chicken sit for 10 minutes before baking—it helps the breading set.
Greek yogurt makes the sauce tangier and lighter, while sour cream gives a richer finish.
For a spicy kick, mix a teaspoon of hot sauce into the egg wash or add crushed red pepper to the crumb mix.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh (approx)
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1020mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 165mg