Description
Oven Baked Chicken Cutlets are a crispy, golden, and flavorful chicken dish made by coating thinly pounded chicken breasts in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and baking them to perfection. This healthier alternative to fried cutlets offers a deliciously tender interior with a crunchy exterior, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Breading Stations
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Other
- Cooking oil or cooking spray, for the wire rack and tops
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and brush or spray it lightly with cooking oil. This setup helps the cutlets bake evenly and get crispy on all sides.
- Set up Breading Stations: Arrange three separate shallow dishes: one with the all-purpose flour, the second with the whisked eggs, and the third with a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest. These stations will help create the perfect coating for the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets. Place each piece between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat tenderizer until they are about 1/4-inch thick and evenly flattened. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, coating it lightly, then dip into the whisked egg, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture ensuring the coating sticks well and covers the entire chicken piece.
- Arrange on Rack: Place the breaded cutlets on the prepared wire rack. Lightly spray or brush the tops with cooking oil to promote browning and a crispy texture as they bake.
- Bake: Bake the chicken cutlets in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- For extra zest, add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Make sure to pound the chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dryness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness to avoid overcooking.
- Leftover cutlets can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- Serve with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
