Yes to Yolks

a food journal

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy Policies

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

June 30, 2015 by Molly 7 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

I am so excited to tell you guys about today’s recipe. It is bonkers. In a good way.

Fried chicken. It’s one of America’s most American foods. People go nuts for it. People get downright impassioned about it, too…always debating who has the best version or recipe. Me? Well, I’m actually not a huge fan.

I know. I’m weird. I don’t outright DISLIKE it, per say, but I definitely wouldn’t choose it over other American classics, like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. They all beat out fried chicken in my world. Strangely, though, I LOVE chicken tenders or nuggets. Maybe because they are slightly lower maintenance to make and eat? Maybe it’s my 6-year-old self emerging every now and then? Just like those rare moments when all I want (no, NEED) is the mac and cheese out of a blue box with powdered cheese followed by approximately three bowls of rainbow sherbet. Childhood. The best.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

With Independence Day happening this weekend and in the general spirit of ‘Merica, I am biting the bullet and making fried chicken to celebrate. Except I’m not. I’m “oven frying” this chicken. I know, so annoying. Why do we even bother calling it oven FRIED? Nothing oven fried is ever as good as the actual deep-fried version of itself. THIS chicken, however, begs you to rethink your oven-fried prejudices. This chicken has got it goin’ on. Even though it’s not technically fried.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

It’s crispy and packed with flavor. The chicken itself is moist (sorry) and juicy, thanks in part to an awesome dill pickle inspired brine. Dill pickles have always been one of my most favorite munches/garnishes/condiments. I figured that if I was going to attempt a version of “fried” chicken at home, I may as well infuse it with some of that incredible dill pickle flavor. SO GOOD.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

And the breading! Swoon! It’s crunchy, golden, and absolutely delicious. Sure, it’s not exactly the same TEXTURE as fried chicken breading, but it definitely tastes good and doesn’t require me to haul out a vat of hot oil. And that’s pretty darn awesome in my book.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

I like to serve this chicken with a spicy sesame honey drizzled (poured?) over top. As you can see from the pictures, I’m generous with the honey. I want to swim in it, it’s so good. It’s my little twist on an American classic, if you will.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

Along those same lines, we’re working with a dill pickle brine here. If there was ever a step I could recommend you don’t skip, it would be to brine this chicken. Even if you opt for your own brine recipe, just BRINE THE DAMN CHICKEN. It is the game changer. It ensures that the meat stays juicy and tender and glorious throughout the baking process. There’s not much worse than dried out chicken, am I right? I know I am.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

Another bonus? Because there is no actual frying involved, this is the perfect picnic chicken for your July 4th celebration. Brine a big batch of chicken thighs and then coat in the breading and bake. So easy. Still so impressive.

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey

‘Merica.

 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Pickle-Brined (Oven) Fried Chicken with Spicy Sesame Honey


  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brine:

  • 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
  • 1½ teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup kosher salt
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 bunch fresh dill (about ¾ cup)

For the Chicken:

  • 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 3 lbs)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup regular unseasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • Salt and pepper

For the Spicy Honey:

  • ½ cup honey
  • 3 teaspoons hot sauce (or more, to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (I like a mix of white and black, but you can use all one kind)

Instructions

For the Brine:

  1. Toast mustard and coriander seeds in a dry saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Add the vinegar, salt, and sugar and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved and then remove the brine from the heat. Add the dill and 4 cups of cold water. Allow to cool completely.
  2. Submerge the chicken in the brine and chill for 3 hours.

For the Chicken:

  1. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Keep cold until ready to bake.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  3. Whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce in a shallow bowl. Whisk together the two types of breadcrumbs, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and a pinch each of salt and pepper in another bowl. Drizzle the oil into the mixture, mixing well with a fork until everything is evenly coated. You want it to look kind of wet and crumbly.
  4. Working in batches, coat the chicken thighs with the buttermilk mixture and then in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere the coating. Transfer the breaded chicken thighs to the prepared baking sheet, leaving a couple inches of space in between each one.
  5. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.

For the Spicy Sesame Honey:

  1. To a small saucepan, add the honey and hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and then remove from the heat. Stir in the toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds. Keep warm until ready to serve. Serve the chicken drizzled with the warm honey.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @yestoyolks on Instagram and hashtag it #yestoyolks

Adapted from here.

Related

Filed Under: Chicken & Poultry, Entrée, Meat, Recipes Tagged With: brine, chicken, honey, pickle, sesame, spicy

« Grilled Kiwi Martinis
Peanut Butter Caramel S’mores Ice Cream »

Comments

  1. jennifer says

    October 5, 2015 at 11:34 pm

    what kind of hot sauce did you use?

    Reply
    • Molly says

      October 7, 2015 at 8:27 am

      You can use whatever hot sauce you like. I went with a traditional vinegar-based sauce. Nothing special!

      Reply
  2. Nicole says

    January 8, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    This looks incredible! Can’t wait to make it.

    Reply
  3. Whitney says

    March 31, 2016 at 1:12 am

    Oh my god. I came for the pickle brine, and I stayed for the spicy honey. SO PINNING THIS!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      March 31, 2016 at 7:12 am

      Thanks, Whitney! It is an AWESOME combo!

      Reply
  4. Karly Campbell says

    March 31, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    There’s nothing better than fried chicken and pickles! Well, except for pickle-brined chicken, I guess! Can’t wait to try this out!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      April 1, 2016 at 10:06 am

      AGREED!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi there. I’m Molly. Welcome to my little space devoted to all things FOOD! More about me...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • November & December Favorites
  • Creamy White Bean & Gnocchi Soup
  • Soft Pretzel Strata
  • Snickerdoodle Skillet Cookie
  • Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
  • Peppermint Cocoa Blossoms

Archives

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Connect

Hi There. I'm Molly. I'm a food-obsessed, self-taught cook and I can't wait to share my passion for all things culinary with you. My love for egg yolks is just the tip of the iceberg! Read More…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
Copyright © 2023 Yes to Yolks