Have you ever bitten into a chicken cutlet so divine that it transported you straight to culinary heaven? Well, folks, that’s exactly the kind of recipe I’m thrilled to share with you today! Not only are these chicken cutlets crispy and juicy, but they’re also incredibly easy to whip up on a busy weeknight. So tie on your apron, and let’s get cooking!
What You Need to Know About Chicken Cutlets
What is a cutlet of chicken?
First things first: what exactly are chicken cutlets? In the simplest terms, they are thin slices of chicken breast that have been tenderized and flattened to ensure even cooking. Choosing the right chicken breasts for cutlets is crucial—look for plump, moist breasts without any discoloration or off smells.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Chicken Cutlets
For this knockout recipe, you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts without bones and skin
- Dredging flour
- Whipped eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Salt, pepper and your selected seasoning
- Olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
Each ingredient plays a star role. To begin with, the flour aids in getting the egg wash clung to the chicken while panko bread crumbs provides that unmatchable crunchiness. You can add up any additional flavorings you desire such as paprika, garlic powder or even some cayenne if you want it hot!
Here we go then!
How to make chicken cutlets – Step by step instructions
Are you ready for tasty chicken cutlet making lesson? Even if you are not an expert at home cooking; this step-by-step guide would help achieve those crispy and juicy chicken cutlets that will have everybody wanting more. Let’s do it!
Prep Your Chicken
Trim and Slice: Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Trim any excess fat and slice them horizontally into two even pieces. If the pieces are too thick, place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and slowly pound them with a meat mallet or even rolling pin to an even thickness of approximatively ½ inch. This helps them cook evenly and makes them super tender.
Season the Chicken
Season Generously: Then, put some salt and pepper on both sides of your strips of chicken. Furthermore, you can add any spices you want – garlic powder or paprika are great in addition to Italian seasoning!
Set Up Your Breading Station
Three Bowls: For ideal coating, you would require three flat dishes. Put some plain flour in the first dish. In the second dish, beat together two eggs with about one spoonful of either milk or water – this will make a paste for sticking crumbs to the meat later on. In the third bowl, pour your bread crumbs. If you want something special, add grated Parmesan cheese or aromatic dried basil and oregano for an extra delicious outer layer.
Bread the Chicken
Dredge, Dip, and Coat: One at a time, dredge each single chicken piece in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip next into the beaten egg, letting any extra drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Set the breaded cutlets aside on a plate.
Cook the Cutlets
Deciding How to Cook:
Pan-Fried: In a broad skillet, place a generous amount of olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Put cutlets in when the oil is ready and fry each side for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and done in the inside. Don’t crowd the frying pan; you may need to fry them in small portions.
Baked: Preheat your oven at 400°F . Now lay down the breaded cutlets onto a greased baking sheet and drizzle some olive oil on top of them. Approximately 12-15 minutes later, turn them over, this way they’ll be crispy and golden.
Rest and Serve
Let Them Rest: Once cooked, let the cutlets rest for a few minutes on a wire rack. This helps keep them crispy.
Serve Up the Goodness: Serve your chicken cutlets hot from the pan or oven. They go fantastically with a squeeze of fresh lemon, a side of marinara sauce for dipping, or atop a fresh salad.
This is it crispy chicken cutlets that are perfectly crispy and wonderfully tender. It’s a foolproof and flexible way, so go ahead and some varieties of spices or sides for this dish. Enjoy your meal, and may you spread your love one chicken cutlet at a time!
Tips To Get The Crispiest Chicken Cutlets
The Perfect Cut
First off you need to lay down your chicken breast on a chopping board. If they are overly thick, then you should slice them horizontally into thinner fillets. Place then on top of plastic wrap above them and with a soft touch, hit them with a meat mallet until they become approximately ¼ inches thick. This approach ensures they cook well and transforms them into something blissfully soft.
Seasoning Secrets
For me seasoning is like the soul of the cutlet. You can earnestly mix salt black pepper and Italian seasoning for that classical touch. Alternatively, take it up several notches by adding some grated Parmesan cheese into your breadcrumbs for some extra flavor.
Cooking Techniques to Master
Essentials for Pan-Frying
Pan frying chicken cutlets takes place in a swift dance around the skillet- over high heat while there is just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. The secret lies in ensuring that the grease is hot enough so as to make the cutlets sizzle the moment they hit the pan but not too hot for it will burn the outside before it has time to cook properly.
Baking As An Option For Healthy Eating
Baking is an excellent option if you are monitoring your waist line. Just put some of your breaded cutlets on some wire racks set over a baking sheet then spray with some cooking spray before putting inside an oven which has been preheated at 400° F (around 205° C) temperatures. They will come out crispy and nice with no frying!
What goes well with chicken cutlets?
To even the crispy chicken cutlets, nothing is as invigorating as a fresh garden salad. Just combine some greens, tomatoes, maybe a cucumber or two, and drizzle your favorite vinaigrette dressing over it. Simple, refreshing and oh-so-crisp!
Who can turn down a good Caesar salad? Those crunchy croutons and creamy dressing together with a juicy chicken cutlet? Yes please! It’s like they were destined to live happily together.
Roasted veggies? Total game changer! I like to mix up whatever’s in season—carrots, Brussels sprouts—whatever happens to be there. Just add little olive oil, salt and pepper, toss it all into the oven and they come out all caramelized and tantalizingly delicious next to that golden chicken breast.
However, if you want to indulge in true comfort, there are the garlic mashed potatoes. And they taste really–really creamy with garlic! Too good to be true! They soak up all excess sauce or juice from chicken appropriately.
For a hastily made pasta side dish simply choose Spaghetti Aglio e Olio which consists basically of spaghetti tossed with chopped raw garlic cloves, olive oil and on occasionally sprinkled by little hot pepper flakes on top of dishes. It tastes so good despite seeming simple because it brings out the best in cutlets!
Quinoa salad is a good option for lighter taste. I simply add in whatever vegetables I have, squeeze some lemon juice and then add my herbs. It is fresh with great flavor and it keeps the weight low.
Make sure to consider garlic bread too! There is nothing that can compare to a slice warm and garlicky bread when one wants something else to take along with their meal. This makes it perfect for scooping all those delicious bits.
Last but not least we have chimichurri. If you have not tried it together with chicken cutlets you are definitely missing out on something great! It has an herbaceous taste and a tangy kick which makes each bite bursting with freshness.
Creative Ways to Serve Chicken Cutlets
Mouthwatering Pairings
Chicken fillets are really adaptable. Serve them with a delicate arugula salad; roasted veggies or even on some velvety white mashed potatoes. For wine, this dish is best enjoyed with crisp chardonnay or light-bodied pinot noir that brings out the unique taste.
Dressing Up Your Cutlets
Just add some drops of lemon juice prior to serving and you have added an amazing freshness. Alternatively, make it more extravagant by preparing mushroom cream at once? It will change everything!
Solving Common Chicken Cutlet Mistakes
Troubleshooting Tips
Overcooking is one problem that people face all the time. This results in dry, hard meat. To prevent such mistakes, monitor your cutlets closely while cooking – it requires only a few minutes on either side. But also remember to leave them to rest after frying for some minutes. This helps to redistribute the juices for every cutlet to be equally moist and soft as the previous one.
FAQs About Making Chicken Cutlets
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
How different are chicken cutlets from thin breasts?
A chicken cutlet is a thin breast that has been pounded or sliced even thinner for quick cooking and tenderness. All that matters is the uniformity in thinness as well as ease of cooking.
Why are chicken cutlets so delicious?
Chicken cutlets are adored due to their fast cooking time, crispy outer layer, and adaptable flavor profile. They are juicy inside and crunchy outside; this makes them perfect for every kind of seasoning or sauce!
How do you ensure your chicken cutlets do not dry out?
Do not overcook them! Sear them quickly on both sides then allow them to rest unto five minutes off the heat so as to maintain those juices intact.
Can one prepare chicken cutlets in advance?
Yes! Bread them, freeze on a tray and once solid put in a freezer bag before keeping it inside. Cook straight from frozen but you should add a few minutes extra cooking time.
Everything concerning making chicken cutlets in your own home is right here in one place. These cutlets will surely amaze you. What’s holding you back? Go ahead and make some! Just remember to show us your delicious creations as well! Enjoy cooking!
PrintChicken Cutlets Recipe
The most AMAZING Crispy Italian Breaded Chicken Cutlets! Perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside – these cutlets are a true masterpiece! Whether you’re serving them with marinara or in a sandwich, these cutlets are bursting with flavor! I couldn’t resist having one straight out of the pan!
Who’s ready to give this recipe a try?! Let me know how you serve your cutlets!
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 cups breadcrumbs (homemade or panko)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 ¼ cups grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (or both), divided
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- Extra virgin olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread Crumb Mixture: In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and ¾ cup of cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, ½ cup of cheese, a pinch of salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Arrange the flour, egg mixture, and breadcrumb mixture in separate bowls.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken into thin cutlets, then pound each piece to ½ inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each cutlet first into the flour, then into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, press into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the cutlets in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until golden brown on each side, then drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken cutlets with a squeeze of lemon or serve them as a sandwich with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Italian rolls for a delicious chicken parm sandwich.
Notes
- Let the breaded chicken sit for 30 minutes before frying to help the breading adhere better.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying to ensure even crispiness.
- Use a wire rack to drain the cutlets instead of paper towels to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 489 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 47g
- Cholesterol: 197mg
Keywords: #ChickenCutlets #ItalianFoodLove #CrispyGoodness #ComfortFood #HomeCooking #DeliciousRecipes #FoodieFavorites #QuickAndEasyMeals