10 Creative Ways To Bread Chicken, Besides Breadcrumbs

Coating chicken in breadcrumbs is the perfect way to transform it into something altogether more satisfying. With a simple dunk in flour and egg, followed by the plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, you can create a mouth-watering crunchy outer layer that perfectly contrasts those tender chicken cutlets that are nestled in the center. Boneless chicken breasts or thighs are generally the cuts of choice for breading, and these can be cut down into smaller tenders, nuggets, or even bite-sized morsels for a popcorn-like feel. There's plenty of versatility when it comes to the cooking method, with deep-frying, oven-baking, and air-frying all being excellent options.

Another thing to consider when whipping up a batch of crispy chicken is whether breadcrumbs are even essential. We're not talking skipping the crunch but rather switching out the typical coating for something a little more creative. There are many ingredients that'll seamlessly coat your chicken pieces and take on a gloriously crunchy texture when cooked. From everyday snacks and cereals to nutritious, gluten-free options, there's a chicken coating to suit every taste and dietary need. So, next time you're craving the crunch, why not experiment with a new approach?

If you've run out of breadcrumbs but have a trusty box of cornflakes sitting in your pantry, then you're all set up to make some exceptionally crispy chicken. When crushed, cornflakes make an ideal coating, with a texture similar to that of panko breadcrumbs. The irregular size of the tiny pieces creates a craggy, ultra-crisp exterior, giving breadcrumb-coated chicken a run for its money. And, cornflakes' neutral taste makes it fantastically versatile, with plenty of room for experimenting with different seasonings, sauces, and dips.

When it comes to crafting this cornflakes coating, there are multiple approaches you can take. One way we love to use the cereal is paired with a herby ranch seasoning and tangy buttermilk marinade. Just let the chicken pieces sit in a garlicky, herb-infused buttermilk mixture, then remove the meat and coat it with a mixture of grated Parmesan, ranch seasoning, and those all-important crushed cornflakes. Alternatively, go for a more traditional method that sees the chicken dipped in seasoned flour and beaten egg, before the final cornflake layer. Coated chicken tenders should take around 15 minutes to bake in the oven, or five minutes if fried in oil.

With their irresistible salty crunch, potato chips are another fitting replacement for breadcrumbs. Since chips are pre-seasoned, they'll add heaps of savory flavor to the meat, reducing the need for additional add-ins to the coating. And, they're guaranteed to deliver that all-important crispy finish. To prep your chips, just add them to a zip-seal plastic food bag, and crush them using a rolling pin or meat mallet until broken down into fine pieces. You could go for classic salted chips, or to make things a little more interesting, choose a flavored variety. Smoky bacon, spicy chili, or tangy cheese chips would all taste amazing with mild, juicy chicken. 

As you'll see in many chicken-coating methods, an initial layer of flour is recommended. This removes moisture from the surface of the meat, which helps the beaten egg to stick. In turn, the egg then acts are a glue for the crushed potato chips, keeping your crispy coating intact during cooking. Once coated and baked or fried, try serving your crunchy chicken with some creamy coleslaw, leafy salad, and a selection of your favorite dips, such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.

Looking to keep your chicken low in carbs? Pork rinds are the ultimate solution for crisp breading. Not only is this coating keto-friendly and gluten-free, but using pre-crushed, store-bought rinds makes the prep wonderfully quick. The fine texture sticks to the meat with ease, and it crisp up exceptionally well when baked or fried, all while adding a distinct savory richness to the chicken. If you're using whole pork rinds, just give them a quick smash with a rolling pin or blitz them up in a food processor before using.

Begin by coating your chicken thigh or breast pieces in flour as normal or skip the carbs by simply brushing the meat with mayonnaise or Dijon mustard. This removes the need for the additional egg layer, too. Then, you can move on to the pork rinds. To enhance the coating even further, try mixing crushed rinds with grated Parmesan cheese and some additional seasonings, such as black pepper, paprika, or garlic powder. Generously coat the meat, then select your desired cooking method, and watch as your chicken takes on a gorgeous golden crust.

Chex Mix is loved for its unique blend of textures and moreish salty flavors, but this popular mix isn't just for game day snacking. It's also an effective tool for bringing some irresistible crispiness to your chicken. Wheat and corn elements inside this mix keep the coating wonderfully light and crunchy, while the other mix-ins like breadsticks and pretzels bring an appealing textural contrast. There's plenty of salty, savory depth built into it, especially if you opt for a flavored variety, such as Garlic & Herb or Cheddar Chex Mix.

A classic flour-egg-Chex coating method will work great here, but marinating the chicken in buttermilk before adding the Chex layer is another fantastic approach. This tenderizes the meat beautifully, amping up that succulent-crisp contrast. When the chicken is almost done marinating, finely crush the Chex Mix, and stir in any extra seasonings if desired. Garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper are all brilliant options. Combining the Chex with some flour or cornstarch can also help to create a slightly more cohesive mixture. Then, all that's left to do is dip the drained chicken pieces in the crunchy coating and get baking, frying, or air-frying.

With their crunch texture and salty flavor, pretzels are an undeniably tempting snack. Therefore, it's no wonder these tasty morsels are a top-tier breadcrumb substitute. When an exceedingly crispy finish is the goal, you can't go wrong with pretzels. In fact, they're deemed far more reliable than breadcrumbs, since they already possess that pleasing golden brown appearance and crunchy texture long before they hit the oven or frying pan.

With the mini pretzels or pretzel sticks finely crushed or blitzed up in a food processor, try sprucing up the coating by adding some ground mustard or a dash of chili powder. Alternatively, start with garlic or cheese-flavored pretzels. You can absolutely combine the crushed snacks with other coatings like pork rinds or potato chips, to build a more varied flavor profile. Pretzel-coated chicken will taste incredible with a whole host of comforting sides, such as mashed potatoes, fries, and cheesy casseroles. Of course, there are plenty of sauces that'll perfectly complement that salty crunch of the coating, such as honey-mustard, sweet chili, or creamy mushroom gravy. This type of bread chicken will also pair with saucy pasta to create a hearty, protein-rich meal.

Give your chicken a tropical twist with the addition of shredded coconut. This coating serves as a healthier, low-carb alternative to more traditional breading ingredients, and it leaves the meat with a delightful richness. Coconut has a sweet, nutty flavor that works brilliantly alongside nuanced, savory chicken flavor. It'll complement a variety of other sauces and side dishes, especially those made with bold, aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, and chili peppers.

To continue the tropical theme, try soaking the chicken in a flavorful coconut milk mixture prior to breading. A squeeze of lime and glug of soy sauce are fantastic add-ins for this creamy base. After a few hours in the fridge, drain the chicken and prep it for the coconut coating with the initial flour and egg layers. To balance coconut's natural sweetness, mix the shreds with some salt and pepper, and feel free to combine them with panko breadcrumbs or other crushed ingredients to boost the crunch factor. The resulting chicken is perfect for serving on a bed of fluffy coconut rice, dunking into fiery bang bang sauce, or even tossing into fragrant curries and stir-fries.

One of the best breadcrumb alternatives to attain rich, savory flavor is Parmesan cheese. When finely grated, its texture is well-suited to crafting a thin, even coating, and the cheese's sharp, salty notes enhance the meat no end. Parmesan also browns easily during cooking, so it's the perfect tool for creating a mouth-watering, golden crust. If you're a fan of a classic Italian-American chicken Parmesan, you're aware of Parmesan's transformative nature. In this dish, the cheese is often combined with breadcrumbs, ground nuts, and herbs, to create a coating with an incredible depth of flavor. 

Using Parmesan in place of or in combination with your standard breadcrumb coating introduces a whole new flavor element to your chicken, and the finished dish makes a versatile base that you can partner with other complementary sides. To build a well-rounded meal, pair your Parmesan-crusted chicken with an Italian-inspired salad, such as the vibrant Caprese or rustic panzanella. Or, enjoy it with a side of crisp potatoes and roasted Mediterranean veggies or steamed greens. A drizzle of herby pesto sauce, or a pot of garlicky aioli dip on the side, wouldn't go amiss, either.

For a unique taste and consistently crunchy result, try subbing breadcrumbs for Ritz crackers. This trusty pantry staple yields a more flavorful finish than plain breadcrumbs thanks to the buttery, salty flavor. But, you can always build on this by mixing crushed crackers with extra seasonings like paprika or Italian herbs.

Ritz crackers can be used as a direct replacement for breadcrumbs if following the traditional egg-flour coating method. Another great technique is to coat the chicken in seasoned mayonnaise or sour cream. These add richness while serving as an effective adhesive for crushed crackers. And, to build on that irresistible buttery taste, you could always mix the crackers with a little melted butter before crafting your crust.

Other types of crackers can work just as well here, too. Saltine crackers also yield plenty of crunch, while Cheez-Its boast a light texture and delicious dose of rich, cheesy flavor. And, you could absolutely reach for a gluten-free cracker variety if required, such as those made with almond or rice flour.

With the help of a simple bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, you can transform chicken into a delightfully spicy, crispy treat. The light, puffy texture of these flavor-packed snacks makes them ideal for crushing, while the distinctive red-orange hue gives the meat a bold new look. When crushing Cheetos in a zip-seal bag or food processor, aim for a breadcrumb-like consistency rather than a fine powder, as leaving some chunkiness yields crispier results.

As always, there are multiple options when it comes to prepping the meat, whether you want to keep things simple or throw some extra seasonings into the initial layer of flour, or the Cheetos mix. Cayenne pepper or chili powder would both be fantastic additions for building more heat. If you're oven-baking or air-frying the chicken, spritzing the coated pieces with some oil spray can help them reach the optimum level of crispiness during cooking.

Of course, you can experiment with other Cheetos varieties if preferred. The original cheese flavor is a great, crowd-pleasing option, and the Cheddar Jalapeño version is ideal if you prefer a milder chili kick.

The nutty richness of almond meal pairs beautifully with juicy, tender chicken, and this easy method is perfect for those looking to keep things grain-free. Almond meal holds its own as a standalone coating, but it also shines in combination with other ingredients like grated Parmesan, aromatic herbs, or warming spices. What's more, there's no crushing or blitzing required here. Just stir the ground nuts with salt, pepper, and any other mix-ins of your choice, and it's ready for breading.

If a chunkier coating is your goal, there's also the option to chop or pulse whole blanched almonds to create a mixture with a coarse, more rustic texture. And, you can always replace the standard first layer of all-purpose flour with a coating of finely ground almond flour. Try mixing this with a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning or smoked paprika to give the chicken an extra boost, before you follow with the beaten egg and add that final layer of crunchy, nutty goodness. As the chicken cooks, the almond crust will take on a gorgeous toasty flavor, giving it a wonderfully comforting feel. The meat will make a fitting accompaniment to hearty classics like mac and cheese or scalloped potatoes, but it will also go well with refreshing salads and roasted veggies.