Q1: What exactly is in a dry falafel mix?

A dry falafel mix is a fantastic pantry staple! It is typically made from a simple blend of ground, dried chickpeas or fava beans , along with a classic mix of Middle Eastern herbs and spices, such as parsley, cumin, coriander, and garlic powder . It is a perfect, all-in-one, pre-seasoned, and naturally gluten-free coating for chicken or fish.

Q2: What is the secret to getting a super crispy, not soggy, baked crust on my chicken?

This recipe uses two brilliant professional secrets! First, we pan-sear the coated chicken in a little bit of hot oil first. This is the key to creating that initial, deep golden-brown, and super-crispy crust. Second, we finish the chicken by baking it on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. This allows the hot air of the oven to circulate all around the chicken, which is the secret that keeps the bottom of the crust just as crispy as the top.

Q3: Can I make this dish ahead of time

Yes! The cucumber-yogurt salad is a perfect make-ahead component and is even better on the second day. You can also bread the raw chicken and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, which makes the final cooking process incredibly fast.

Q4: Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Of course! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be a fantastic and even juicier substitute in this recipe. Because they are typically thinner and smaller than chicken breasts, you may need to reduce the final baking time in the oven by a few minutes.

Q5: What are Kirby cucumbers?

Kirby cucumbers are a type of small, firm cucumber with a bumpy skin. They are often used for pickling because they have a very crisp texture, thin skin, and very few seeds. They are a fantastic choice for a salad like this one because they will not become watery. If you can't find them, a Persian or an English cucumber

The Best Crispy & Easy Falafel-Crusted Chicken

A creative and flavorful main course featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated in a crispy crust made from prepared falafel mix. The seasoned chicken is first pan-fried in a skillet to achieve a golden-brown exterior, and then finished in the oven until cooked through. The dish is served with a refreshing and creamy cucumber salad made with whole-milk yogurt, fresh mint and dill, red onion, and a bright lemon dressing.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

For the Chicken:
1/2 cup prepared falafel mix
Vegetable oil, for frying
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the Salad:
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
3 Kirby cucumbers, diced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
1/4 cup fresh dill fronds, coarsely chopped
1/4 red onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a small wire rack on a baking sheet.
Prepare the Chicken: Put the falafel mix in a shallow bowl. Heat about 1/2-inch of oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then coat them with the falafel mix, shaking off any excess.
Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Repeat with the rest of the chicken if cooking in batches.
Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared wire rack on the baking sheet.
Bake until the chicken is firm and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Make the Salad: While the chicken bakes, toss the diced cucumbers, torn mint, chopped dill, diced onion, minced garlic, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt together in a small bowl.
Finely grate the zest from the lemon into the salad, then squeeze in the lemon’s juice. Stir the yogurt into the salad.
Arrange the cooked chicken on a platter and serve with the cucumber salad on the side.

Notes

This recipe uses prepared falafel mix as a convenient and flavorful shortcut for the crispy chicken coating.
The chicken is pan-fried first to create a crispy crust, then finished in the oven to ensure it is cooked through without burning.
The cool, creamy cucumber salad is a perfect contrast to the warm, crispy chicken.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/falafel-crusted-chicken/