Jerky Crusted Chicken: The High-Protein Recipe You Didn’t Know You Needed

You’ve been warned.  This jerky crusted chicken is totally addictive and a single bite will have you hooked for life.

Whilst the recipe is simple, quick and easy, the chicken’s unique jerky coating adds a deliciously crunchy crust and elevates this classic schnitzel into a sensationally savoury dish that packs an extra protein punch.

Before the big reveal of how to make jerky-crusted chicken, let’s take a look at a bit of the back story of this meaty treat to see why it’s such a tasty and useful ingredient in so many recipes. 

Why use jerky as a coating?

You’ve probably never really thought about using jerky as a crumb coating for chicken, but if you love the bold flavour and crunchy texture of jerky and want to boost your protein intake, why not try this tasty twist on an old favourite?

Jerky is a lower carb, protein-rich snack, so using it as a coating is a great way to boost your intake of this essential nutrient.  And when you choose DJays Gourmet’s famous beef jerky, you can trust that you’re getting the best there is (ie 100% premium Aussie beef and all natural ingredients with no preservatives) – so you can eat good and do good!

Why do we need protein in our diets?

The amino acids in protein are essential for healthy and well-functioning bodies and we should all be eating protein every day.  It’s a macronutrient and is essential for bone, muscle, tissue, digestive and metabolic health as well as for many other bodily processes like energy production and cell repair.

Pairing jerky with your favourite protein like chicken, fish or pork is a smart way to up your intake of this important nutrient. 

Read on to learn how to make jerky crusted chicken (trust us, it’s really good) and if you want more culinary inspiration using this protein powerhouse, check out this article on 10 surprising ways to cook with jerky.

Recipe for jerky crusted chicken

This is a basic recipe, but you can ring the changes with different jerky flavours or by adding different herbs and spices to the crumb mix. 

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

125g sliced or chopped beef jerky (choose your favourite flavour such as chilli jerky, smoky jerky, traditional and mango chilli jerky)

2 tbs mixed herbs (dried or fresh) such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, parsley

2 tbs olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Flatten chicken slightly by placing the fillets between two pieces of baking paper and bashing them with a rolling pin. You can also simply slice the breasts longitudinally. 
2. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper
3. Place the jerky into a food processor and pulse until it reaches a crumb-like consistency, similar to coarse breadcrumbs.
4. Place jerky crumbs into a shallow bowl
5. Add other seasonings such as herbs or Panko breadcrumbs if desired
6. Lightly coat chicken with olive oil to help the crumbs stick to the surface (olive oil spray works well)
7. Press the chicken into the jerky crumb mixture to coat evenly

Cooking the chicken

Pan-fry             Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat.  Gently place the jerky crumbed chicken into the pan and cook for around 5/6 minutes each side until golden and cooked through.

Oven bake        Pre-heat oven to 200⁰C (fan-forced).  Place the crumbed chicken onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake until the chicken is cooked through and the jerky crumb is crisp and golden. 

The cooking times will vary depending on the oven and the thickness of the schnitzels, but they should generally take around 25 minutes. 

A meat thermometer is a good way to check for ‘doneness’ ie when the internal temperature reaches 75°C.  You can also cook these in an airfryer.

Serve with a garden salad, slaw or some steamed veggies – and if you’d like some carbs on the side, you can always opt for mash, oven baked fries or roasted or boiled new potatoes.

Enjoy!

What flavour of jerky works best with this recipe?

You can use any flavour that takes your fancy – from traditional to spicy – it’s just a matter of taste.  If you haven’t yet found your favourite jerky flavour, we suggest you try out our jerky sampler which comprises 3 x 100gm Jerky packets and you can choose from four great flavours:  traditional, smoky, chilli and extra hot.  You also might find it helpful to read this article on top jerky flavours and how to find the right one for you.

Where to buy DJays Gourmet jerky

If you’re keen to try this recipe – and let’s face it, how can you resist the idea of yummy protein-powered jerky crusted chicken – it’s good to know that you can get your hands on some of Australia’s best beef jerky in a flash. 

Simply order our beef jerky online and have it delivered to your door, or if you’re on the road or doing some shopping in town, you can find a range of DJays Gourmet’s dried meat snacks at select service stations, major supermarkets and independent grocers and at leading liquor outlets around the country. 

You’ll find more detail on where to buy DJays Gourmet products here.