Description
Classic recipe for easy Italian chicken cutlets delivers a crispy, golden-brown delight straight from Mediterranean kitchens. Seasoned breadcrumbs and quick pan-frying create a simple yet delectable meal that welcomes you to savor authentic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package chicken cutlets (roughly 1 – 1.5 lbs / 450 – 680 g)
- 4 tbsps (60 ml / 2 fl oz) olive oil
- 4 tbsps (56 g / 2 oz) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 oz) parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Tenderize chicken cutlets with a meat mallet, creating an even, delicate surface that ensures uniform cooking and enhanced texture.
- Breading Creation: Blend Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a shallow dish to form a vibrant, aromatic coating.
- Coating Process: Thoroughly dredge each cutlet in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to secure a complete, crisp exterior that will transform during cooking.
- Culinary Searing: Melt olive oil and unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a golden, shimmering cooking surface that promises a perfect crisp.
- Cooking Technique: Carefully place breaded cutlets into the hot pan, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown crust and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Finishing Touch: Rest cooked cutlets on a wire rack to drain excess oil, preserving the breading’s irresistible crunchiness and preventing sogginess.
- Serving and Storage: Plate alongside preferred accompaniments like pasta or salad, and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, reheating gently to maintain optimal texture.
Notes
- Tenderize with Precision: Flatten chicken cutlets evenly to ensure uniform cooking and maximum juiciness, preventing dry or tough meat.
- Boost Breading Flavor: Mix Panko, Parmesan, and seasonings for a crunchy, zesty coating that elevates the chicken’s taste profile beyond basic breading.
- Monitor Oil Temperature: Heat skillet to medium-high, watching for butter and oil shimmer to achieve perfect golden-brown crust without burning the breading.
- Maintain Crispiness: Use a wire rack after cooking to prevent soggy bottoms, allowing excess oil to drain and keeping the breading delightfully crunchy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg