Description
Parmesan-Basil Chicken Cutlets are crispy, flavorful chicken breasts coated in a savory mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Pan-fried to golden perfection, these cutlets make a delicious and easy main dish perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Breading
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Seasoning & Cooking
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for frying
Instructions
- Pound the chicken: Begin by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook uniformly and remain juicy.
- Season: Lightly season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Prepare breading station: Set up three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh basil.
- Bread the chicken: Coat each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off the excess. Next, dip it into the beaten egg, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb-Parmesan-basil mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat the oil: In a large frying pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Fry the cutlets: Place the breaded chicken cutlets in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until they are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Drain excess oil: Transfer the cooked cutlets to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil, ensuring they remain crispy.
- Serve: Serve the Parmesan-Basil Chicken Cutlets immediately with your favorite sides like a fresh salad, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Enjoy your crispy delight!
Notes
- The chicken breasts should be pounded evenly to about 1/2 inch thickness for the best texture and even cooking.
- Use fresh basil for the brightest flavor in the breadcrumb mixture.
- You can substitute plain breadcrumbs with panko for an extra crispy texture.
- Monitor the oil temperature to prevent burning and ensure the cutlets cook through.
- For a lighter version, baking the breaded cutlets at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes can be a good alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Parmesan Chicken, Basil Chicken Cutlets, Crispy Chicken, Fried Chicken Cutlets, Italian Chicken Recipe
