Chicken Cutlets are an Italian-inspired delicacy, boasting a delightful combination of crispy, crunchy, and juicy textures, infused with rich flavors. Typically crafted from boneless chicken breast, basic seasonings, eggs, and a breading mixture, these cutlets offer an excellent and easy-to-make chicken dish. They pair impeccably with roasted or baked vegetables, refreshing salads, sandwiches, French fries, or simple dips and sauces, enhancing the meal's overall appeal.
The shared recipe provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to create these delectable Chicken Cutlets effortlessly. A detailed video accompanies the recipe, visually assisting in the cooking process.
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What are Chicken Cutlets?
Chicken Cutlets are a crispy, crunchy, and juicy Italian dish known for its rich flavor profile. It is made with thin, tender slices of chicken breast, basic seasonings, eggs, breading mixture, and a touch of Parmesan cheese. It is usually served as a main course with various side dishes like roasted or baked vegetables, salads, sauces or even nestled in a sandwich.
Undoubtedly one of the finest chicken recipes, Chicken Cutlets emerge as a top choice, particularly when craving fried chicken dishes. Whether it's an intimate date night or a lively get-together dinner, these cutlets add a touch of gourmet to any occasion.
With a few tips and tricks, such as ensuring the oil is preheated and avoiding overcrowding the pan, achieving perfect results every time is a guarantee. So why wait? Delight your loved ones with these crispy and savory homemade chicken cutlets, elevating your dining experience to new heights.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients needed for making chicken cutlets are basic pantry elements that can be easily available in most grocery stores. Let's explore them below:
- Chicken Breast: Thinly sliced boneless chicken breast is the main ingredient, providing tender and succulent Chicken Cutlets
- Eggs: Essential for creating a binding mixture that helps the breading adhere to the chicken, resulting in a crispy exterior
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a delightful depth of flavor to the cutlets, enhancing their taste and texture
- Breadcrumbs: Used to coat the chicken, providing a crispy and crunchy outer layer. I have used Italian breadcrumbs but you can also use panko breadcrumbs if that's handy for you
- Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. These seasonings elevate the flavor profile of the chicken, making the cutlets savory and aromatic
- Oil: Required for pan-frying the cutlets to golden-brown perfection. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use any cooking oil of your choice
- All-Purpose Flour: Used in the breading process along with the breadcrumbs and eggs. It helps to create a crispy and well-coated exterior for the Chicken Cutlets
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Cutlets at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Chicken Cutlets, thin, tender slices of boneless chicken breast, seasoned with a delightful blend of seasoning, and breading mixture. These homemade Chicken Cutlets perfectly complement various side dishes, making for a delectable meal that's sure to please any palate.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Prepare the Chicken:
- Clean and Slice: Start by gently patting dry the thinly sliced chicken breasts with a kitchen towel. If the chicken breasts are too thick, you can flatten them by placing them between plastic wraps and using a meat hammer. Once they are even, cut them into thin slices
- Season: Season the chicken slices with minced garlic, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning. Make sure to coat each slice evenly with the seasoning. Set the seasoned chicken aside for later use
Breading the Chicken
- Whisk Egg: In a bowl, whisk the eggs and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set the egg mixture aside
- Prep Breading Mix: In a separate shallow tray, combine breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, grated Parmesan cheese, a dash of paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly
- Bread Chicken: Dip each seasoned chicken breast into the egg mixture, ensuring it's fully coated, then transfer it to the breading mixture. Gently press the breading onto the chicken breasts to ensure a nice, even coating
Frying the Chicken Cutlets
- Preheat Oil: In a pan, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Make sure there's enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan but avoid overcrowding.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the breaded chicken cutlets for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until they achieve a golden-brown, crispy texture. To guarantee they are cooked thoroughly, check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (the recommended temperature for poultry)
- Remove: Once the Chicken Cutlets are perfectly cooked, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil
- Serve: Serve the crispy chicken cutlets with your preferred dipping sauces, or pair them with simple and refreshing salads
Tips
- Thin and Even Slices: For quick and even cooking, slice the chicken breasts thinly and try to maintain a consistent thickness throughout each slice. If the chicken breast is too thick, you can use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to an even thickness
- Proper Seasoning: Make sure to season the chicken cutlets well with your choice of spices, herbs, and seasoning. This enhances the flavor of the chicken and adds depth to the dish
- Allow Seasoning Time: After seasoning the chicken, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat before breading and cooking
- Preheat the Oil: If you're pan-frying the Chicken Cutlets, ensure that the oil is preheated to the right temperature before adding the chicken. This helps create a crispy and golden exterior
- Breading Techniques: When breading the chicken, use one hand or a tong for wet ingredients and the other for dry ingredients. This prevents the mixture from clumping on your fingers and gives a more even coating
- Pressing the Breadcrumbs: After breading the chicken cutlets, gently press the breadcrumbs onto the surface to help them adhere better
- Avoid Overcrowding: When frying the cutlets, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook them in batches if necessary, as overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and reduce the crispiness
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the cooking time to prevent the chicken cutlets from becoming dry. Overcooked chicken tends to be tough and less flavorful
- Cheese Burning Prevention: If using cheese in the preparation, be attentive to the heat levels. If the cheese show signs of burning quickly, reduce the heat accordingly to preserve taste and presentation
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should reach 165°F (74 °C) for safe consumption
- Resting Time: Allow the cooked chicken cutlets to rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This helps retain their juiciness and allows the flavors to settle
Storage Suggestions
To preserve the Chicken Cutlets, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, please note that reheating may result in the loss of their crispiness. For the best experience, consider enjoying them fresh and crispy right after cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Cutlets are a delicious dish that tastes great with a variety of side dishes to create a balanced and satisfying meal. Here are some options:
- Salads: Serve them with fresh and vibrant coleslaw, cucumber salad, potato salad, or chickpea salad
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini make for a flavorful and nutritious side dish
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, or French fries provide a comforting and delicious accompaniment to the crispy Chicken Cutlets
- Rice or Quinoa: Serve the cutlets with fluffy white rice, brown rice, or nutty quinoa for a filling and wholesome meal
- Pasta Dishes: A side of pasta with marinara sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce can be a delightful pairing
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread or dinner rolls can be a tasty side to enjoy with the Chicken Cutlets, especially if you want to make a sandwich
- Grilled Corn on the Cob: Seasoned and grilled corn on the cob adds a touch of smokiness and sweetness to the meal
Related Recipes
You can also find similar fried chicken recipes below and more at fried recipes, chicken breast recipes, and chicken recipes.
- Fried Chicken
- Fried Chicken Tenders
- Korean Fried Chicken
- Chicken Nuggets
- Popcorn Chicken
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Fried Chicken Wings
- Parmesan Chicken
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
Chicken Cutlets Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Chicken Cutlet recipe below that I hope will help you make a crispy meal at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Cutlets
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 piece Boneless Chicken Breast, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder, or freshly grated garlic
- ¾ tsp Black Pepper, powder
- 1 tsp Salt, or adjust to taste
- ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
For Egg Mix
- 2 Eggs
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, powder
For Breading
- 1 cup Italian Breadcrumb, or panko
- ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Paprika
- Salt, to taste
Other Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Oil, or enough oil to pan-fry chicken
- Parsley Leaves, to garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Begin by patting dry the thinly sliced chicken breasts with a kitchen towel. If the chicken breast is not thinly sliced, place it between plastic wrap and gently pound it with a meat hammer until it reaches an even thickness. Proceed to cut it into thin slices
- Season the chicken slices with garlic, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning. Ensure that the seasoning is applied to all sides of the chicken breasts. Set the seasoned chicken aside for later use
Bread the Chicken
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs and season them with salt and pepper. Set the egg mixture aside
- In another shallow tray, combine breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix the dry ingredients well
- Dip each seasoned chicken breast into the egg mixture, making sure it's fully coated, then transfer it to the breading mixture. Press the breading onto the chicken breasts to ensure it adheres nicely
Fry the Chicken Cutlets
- In a pan, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Add the breaded chicken breast and make sure not to overcrowd the pan
- Fry the breaded chicken cutlets for approximately 5-7 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (the safest temperature for consuming poultry)
- Once the chicken cutlets are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil
To Serve
- Serve the crispy chicken cutlets with your choice of sauces, such as honey mustard sauce, garlic Parmesan sauce, mayonnaise, or aioli. They also pair well with simple salads, creating a well-rounded and delicious meal
Video
Notes
- Thin and Even Slices: For quick and even cooking, slice the chicken breasts thinly and try to maintain a consistent thickness throughout each slice. If the chicken breast is too thick, you can use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound it to an even thickness
- Proper Seasoning: Make sure to season the chicken cutlets well with your choice of spices, herbs, and seasoning. This enhances the flavor of the chicken and adds depth to the dish
- Allow Seasoning Time: After seasoning the chicken, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat before breading and cooking
- Preheat the Oil: If you're pan-frying the Chicken Cutlets, ensure that the oil is preheated to the right temperature before adding the chicken. This helps create a crispy and golden exterior
- Breading Techniques: When breading the chicken, use one hand or a tong for wet ingredients and the other for dry ingredients. This prevents the mixture from clumping on your fingers and gives a more even coating
- Pressing the Breadcrumbs: After breading the chicken cutlets, gently press the breadcrumbs onto the surface to help them adhere better
- Avoid Overcrowding: When frying the cutlets, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook them in batches if necessary, as overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and reduce the crispiness
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the cooking time to prevent the chicken cutlets from becoming dry. Overcooked chicken tends to be tough and less flavorful
- Cheese Burning Prevention: If using cheese in the preparation, be attentive to the heat levels. If the cheese show signs of burning quickly, reduce the heat accordingly to preserve taste and presentation
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken should reach 165°F (74 °C) for safe consumption
- Resting Time: Allow the cooked chicken cutlets to rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This helps retain their juiciness and allows the flavors to settle
Nutrition
FAQ
Fried chicken breast is a whole, thick, and juicy piece of chicken coated with seasoned flour or batter and deep-fried for a crispy exterior. In contrast, chicken cutlets are thinly sliced boneless chicken breast pieces, breaded, and pan-fried until uniformly crispy and tender. The former boasts a thicker and moister texture, while the latter offers a thin and crunchy delight.
Yes, you can skip the Parmesan cheese while making chicken cutlets. While Parmesan cheese adds a delightful depth of flavor to the cutlets, it is not a mandatory ingredient. You can still enjoy delicious and crispy chicken cutlets without it. Simply follow the rest of the recipe as usual, and the cutlets will turn out just as tasty and satisfying
The frying time for chicken cutlets can vary depending on the thickness of the cutlets and the heat of the oil. On average, you should fry them for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until they achieve a golden-brown and crispy exterior. To ensure they are thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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