Technique: Three-Step Breading

  1. Place plain flour or other starch (as specified by the recipe) on a plate or in a shallow bowl.
  2. Swish together egg and water to create an egg wash. Place in a plate or in a shallow bowl that is deep enough to make it easy to coat your chicken pieces.
  3. Fill a third plate or shallow bowl with breadcrumbs, panko, cracker meal, or other coating as specified by the recipe.
  4. Prepare (cut, pound, marinate, etc.) and season the chicken as specified in the recipe.
  5. Dip the chicken into the flour, turning it and working with your fingers to make sure it is evenly coated.
  6. Allow the chicken to rest briefly to hydrate.
  7. Dip the flour-coated chicken into the egg wash.
  8. Dip the floured and egg-washed chicken into the bread crumbs.
  9. Bake or fry per the recipe instructions.