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chicken cutlet recipe

Chicken Cutlet Recipe

5 from 3 votes
This recipe for Italian breaded Chicken Cutlets is unparalleled! There are a few essential secrets to achieving that perfect crispy outer coating.
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CourseMain Course
CuisineItalian
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings6 Servings
Calories489kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups homemade breadcrumbs or panko
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning optional
  • 1 ¼ cups finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese or a mix, 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

  • In a medium shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and ¾ cup of cheese. Season with salt and pepper, then mix thoroughly with your fingers, ensuring the garlic is evenly distributed. In another medium shallow bowl, whisk together 3 eggs, ½ cup of cheese, a pinch of salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon of water until well combined. Pour the flour into a third shallow bowl or plate, season with salt and pepper, and mix to combine.
  • Place one piece of thinly sliced chicken on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and use a meat mallet to pound it to about ½ inch thick. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Season each piece of chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Set up the breading station: place the chicken on the far left, followed by the flour, then the egg mixture, the breadcrumbs, and finally, a plate or pan to hold the breaded chicken. Dip a piece of chicken into the flour, coating all sides, then tap off the excess. Next, dip it in the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off, and then transfer it to the breadcrumbs. Press and move the chicken around to ensure it is thoroughly coated. Place the breaded chicken on the reserved plate and repeat with the remaining pieces.
  • Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan over medium-high heat. Depending on the size of your pan, cook 1-3 chicken breasts at a time, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until golden brown on each side, then remove to a rack or paper towels to drain. Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 250°F oven for up to 1 hour before serving.

Notes

When breading, it's helpful to use one hand exclusively for handling dry ingredients like flour and breadcrumbs, and the other hand for handling wet ingredients like raw chicken and eggs. This helps prevent getting your fingers coated in the breading mixture.
Serve the chicken cutlets as they are with a squeeze of lemon, alongside a tomato arugula salad, or topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese for a delicious chicken parm. This breading technique also works well with veal and pork.
Leftover chicken cutlets can be stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If you have leftover breadcrumbs, simply freeze them in a zip-top bag and use them again for your next batch of chicken cutlets!

Nutrition

Serving: 6Servings | Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 725mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 269mg | Iron: 4mg
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