Crispy Parmesan Chicken Cutlet (Printable)

Pan-fried chicken with Parmesan crust, golden and crispy. Perfect for weeknight dinners in just 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz each)

→ Breading Station

02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 2 tablespoons milk
04 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3.5 oz)
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ For Frying

11 - 1/3 cup olive oil or vegetable oil

→ For Serving

12 - Lemon wedges
13 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound to an even 1/2 inch thickness for uniform cooking.
02 - Generously season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and black pepper.
03 - Prepare three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, whisk eggs with milk in the second, and combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, and oregano in the third.
04 - Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then press firmly into Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly on both sides.
05 - Pour olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
06 - Cook chicken cutlets in batches without overcrowding the pan. Fry 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crispy, or internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - Transfer cooked cutlets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
08 - Arrange cutlets on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crust stays impossibly crispy while the chicken inside stays so tender it almost melts on your tongue.
  • Thirty minutes start to finish means you can have something restaurant-quality on the table before anyone gets too hungry.
  • It's endlessly flexible—serve it with pasta, on a sandwich, or with just a squeeze of lemon and you've got dinner solved.
02 -
  • Don't skip pounding the chicken uniformly, or you'll end up with parts cooked through while others are still pale and tough.
  • The moment you add the breaded cutlet to hot oil is crucial—if the oil isn't hot enough, the coating absorbs oil instead of crisping, and you end up with something heavy instead of light.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than cutting into the cutlet, which releases all those delicious juices and defeats the purpose of having a crispy exterior.
  • The difference between good and extraordinary often comes down to how hot your oil is and how patiently you let the coating develop that deep golden color without moving it around.
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