What Is Deviled Chicken? The Dish That’s About to Kick Up Your Weeknight Dinners
"This was so tasty. There is not a leftover in this house to be found."
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
On the hunt for a chicken dinner that’s different but not difficult? You need to hear about Deviled Chicken. This "excellent mid-week dish" has so much flavor, it’ll have everybody at the table asking for seconds.
One bite of the spicy, crunchy crust paired with the tender chicken will make you understand the name—it’s devilishly delicious. This Southern comfort dish is the tastiest way to transform chicken thighs, and it can be ready on your table in just under an hour.
“I'm always on the lookout for quick, easy dinners to make for my two sons and me—and this fit the bill!” Allrecipes user watsola79 commented. “Happy mom here—this one is a keeper!”
What Is Deviled Chicken?
Deviled chicken is a classic Southern chicken dish flavored with spicy seasonings and coated in crispy bread crumbs. Depending on the recipe, you might use chicken breasts, thighs, or even wings for this dish, but we think thighs deliver the most flavor for the least amount of fuss (plus, they're way harder to overcook).
Where does the dish get its name? “Deviled” in the South usually means spicy, and even though this chicken dinner isn’t fiery hot, it has enough complex heat from a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, and mustard to wake up your taste buds.
Make you think of deviled eggs? It should! Those three signature seasonings are the usual suspects in the creamy egg yolk filling.
After that flavor trio, you can spice up the dish to your liking by adding hot sauce, garlic powder, spicy mustard, or even Worcestershire sauce to the mix.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Fried versions of the dish do exist, but we prefer baking to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavorful meal without all the fuss. The breadcrumb crust gets nice and crispy in the oven (especially when you mix it with shredded Parmesan cheese) delivering a savory crunch that pairs perfectly with the succulent chicken.
Some recipes marinate the chicken overnight, but when you’re short on time, you can skip the step and still turn out a tasty meal. A thick coating of mustard, mayonnaise, or a combination of the two keeps the chicken juices sealed in while the light and airy Panko breadcrumbs stay perfectly crisp on top.
Serve alongside veggie dishes like corn, green beans, or potato salad to round out this Southern-style favorite. This hot dish is sure to add excitement to your weeknight rotation.
Get the recipe: Deviled Chicken Thighs
