The Juiciest Lemon Pepper Chicken Cutlets Recipe Ever Made

Lemon pepper chicken cutlets spark culinary excitement with their vibrant, zesty profile and irresistible seasoning blend.

Bright citrus notes dance alongside sharp, aromatic spices that change ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

The perfect combination of tangy and peppery flavors creates a sensational dining experience that delights the palate.

Crispy exterior and tender interior make these cutlets a go-to meal for busy home cooks seeking maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Simple ingredients and quick preparation ensure you can whip up this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen.

Strategic seasoning techniques elevate humble chicken into a sophisticated, crowd-pleasing entrée that promises to become a family favorite.

You’ll love how effortlessly these cutlets come together, impressing everyone around the dinner table.

A Zesty Take on a Classic Cutlet

• Savor Zesty Flavor Explosion: Lemon pepper seasoning transforms bland chicken into a tangy, vibrant dish that dances on your taste buds with bright citrusy and bold peppery notes.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Enjoy Perfectly Crispy Texture: Pan-frying creates a golden, crisp exterior that gives a satisfying crunch while keeping the chicken inside juicy and tender, providing a delightful contrast in every bite.
• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Using basic pantry staples like chicken, butter, and lemon pepper seasoning, you can create a sophisticated meal that feels gourmet but requires minimal culinary skills.

Ingredients That Make Lemon Pepper Pop

• Chicken Breast: Lean and tender meat that becomes the star of the dish, best when fresh and without any dark spots or unusual odors.

• Lemon Pepper Seasoning, Salt: Zesty blend that adds bright, tangy flavor and enhances the chicken's natural taste, choose a high-quality brand for best results.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crispy coating that helps seal in moisture and provides golden-brown exterior.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning during pan-frying.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce, unsalted preferred for better control of saltiness.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and subtle sharpness to the sauce.
• Chicken Stock: Builds a flavorful base for the sauce, adds complexity and richness.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, citrusy acidity that balances the richness of butter and complements the lemon pepper seasoning.

How to Cook Chicken Cutlets with Crisp Coating

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Cutlets

Carefully slice chicken breast horizontally on a clean cutting board using a sharp knife to create thin, even cutlets. Place your hand flat on top of the chicken to stabilize it while cutting.

Step 2: Create Seasoning Blend

• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Kosher salt
• All-purpose flour

Step 3: Coat Chicken Perfectly

Thoroughly dredge each chicken cutlet in the seasoning mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage on both sides.

Step 4: Sizzle and Cook

• Olive oil
• Butter

Carefully place seasoned cutlets in the hot pan. Cook until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 5: Craft Tangy Sauce

• Removing excess oil
• Adding minced garlic
• Pouring in chicken stock
• Squeezing fresh lemon juice
• Stirring and reducing until slightly thickened

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Transfer chicken to serving plates and drizzle with the vibrant pan sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges.

Tips for Juicy Meat and Tangy Kick

• Slice Chicken Precisely: Use a sharp knife and steady hand to create even cutlets, ensuring uniform cooking and tender texture.
• Season Generously: Don't be shy with lemon pepper seasoning; coat chicken thoroughly for maximum flavor penetration.
• Control Pan Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown crust without burning the chicken.
• Rest Chicken Smartly: Let cutlets rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and preserve moisture.
• Sauce Timing Matters: Create sauce immediately after cooking chicken to capture delicious pan drippings and enhance overall flavor profile.

Best Storage Methods for Breaded Chicken

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken cutlets to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cutlets in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality.
• Reheat: Warm cutlets in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through, or microwave at 50% power for 1-minute intervals, checking temperature.

Pairing Ideas for a Balanced Plate

• Zesty Wine Complement: Pair these tangy lemon pepper chicken cutlets with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, whose bright citrus notes perfectly match the lemon undertones in the dish.
• Fresh Salad Sidekick: Serve alongside a light arugula salad with shaved parmesan and lemon vinaigrette, which echoes the chicken's zesty flavor profile and adds refreshing green elements.
• Herbed Potato Partner: Roast baby potatoes with rosemary and thyme, creating a hearty side that balances the chicken's light, peppery character while providing a satisfying starch component.
• Citrus Smoothness Enhancer: Drizzle extra lemon sauce over steamed asparagus or green beans to complement the chicken's citrusy essence and add a vibrant vegetable dimension to the meal.

Fun Ways to Change Up the Seasoning

• Zesty Mediterranean Cutlets: Replace lemon pepper seasoning with oregano, garlic powder, and dried basil. Add crumbled feta cheese on top after cooking for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Version: Swap lemon pepper with Cajun seasoning blend. Incorporate cayenne pepper for extra heat and serve with a cool remoulade sauce.
• Herb-Crusted Parmesan Cutlets: Mix Italian breadcrumbs with grated parmesan cheese instead of flour. Coat chicken cutlets and pan-fry until crispy golden brown. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
• Coconut Curry Chicken Cutlets: Use curry powder and coconut flour for dredging. Add coconut milk to sauce instead of chicken stock for a tropical, creamy finish.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Cutlets Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Lemon pepper chicken cutlets bring zesty Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Crispy, golden-brown chicken breasts seasoned with tangy lemon and bold black pepper create a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 ½ to 1 ¾ pounds (680 to 794 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• ¾ cup (94 grams) all-purpose flour

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 ½ tablespoons (22 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken stock
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ cup (15 grams) Italian parsley, chopped
• Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by carefully slicing each breast horizontally on a clean cutting board, creating evenly thin cutlets that will cook quickly and uniformly.
2. Create a flavorful coating by combining lemon pepper seasoning with flour, ensuring each chicken piece is thoroughly and generously dredged for maximum taste and crispy texture.
3. Preheat a heavy skillet with a mixture of oil and butter, creating an ideal environment for achieving a golden-brown exterior while maintaining the chicken’s moisture.
4. Carefully place the seasoned cutlets into the hot skillet, cooking each side until a rich, amber color develops and the meat is completely cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Transform the skillet into a flavor-building platform by removing excess fat, then introducing minced garlic to release its aromatic essence.
6. Deglaze the pan with chicken stock and fresh lemon juice, allowing the liquid to reduce and create a vibrant, tangy sauce that complements the crispy chicken.
7. Finish the dish by sprinkling additional lemon pepper seasoning over the cutlets, enhancing the overall zesty profile and ensuring a robust, well-rounded flavor experience.

Notes

• Perfectly sliced cutlets ensure even cooking and tender texture, maximizing flavor absorption.
• Dredging in seasoned flour creates a delightful crispy exterior that locks in juicy chicken moisture.
• High-heat pan-frying generates a beautiful golden-brown crust with maximum flavor development.
• Use fresh lemon juice and high-quality lemon pepper seasoning for the most vibrant taste profile.
• Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to retain succulent internal juices and prevent dryness.
• Quick sauce preparation transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality finishing touch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 375
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg