Can I just express my absolute obsession with Chicken Schnitzel? It's basically a glorified Chicken Nugget and I'm obsessed!
We've been making chicken schnitzel since I was a little munchkin and I will never get enough. According to Thomas, it's basically a glorified chicken nugget and honestly, I'm here for it. That said, I like to jazz it up a bit by adding some spices and topping it off with a generous squeeze of lemon and a pinch of freshly chopped chives. Or if I'm in need of some childhood like comfort food, I'll serve it with a side of ketchup. DON'T JUDGE ME. Or, if I want to make this meal even more delicious, I'll top this chicken with my famous skillet cheesy chickpeas.
When I ask Thomas what he wants for dinner, 9 times out of 10 he answers with Schnitzel so let's break down how to make the perfect piece of chicken schnitzel! We're making these step by step, so here it goes!
Start with a chicken breast...
Place it in a plastic bag and pound it out so they are about ⅓ - ½ inch thick throughout. *TIP: I use a meat mallet or wooden rolling to pound the chicken, but if you don't have either, you can use a heavy bottom pot or pan.
Prepare a breading station with flour, whisked eggs and Panko bread crumbs. I like to add a touch of salt, pepper, lemon zest and garlic powder to the flour mixture to ensure perfect seasoning.
Place each piece of chicken in the flour, coating both sides, and shaking off any excess. Next, dunk the chicken into the eggs, let any excess liquid drain off, then coat with a healthy dose of bread crumbs!
Place a large skillet over medium high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully place one piece of the breaded chicken into the pan and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip it over to finish cooking. Each piece should be golden brown on both sides.
Remove the chicken to a paper towel lined plate, to absorb any excess oil and give each breast a generous squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives, and season with salt as needed.
Serve it up with a side of my German Potato Salad and make someone else do the dishes 🙂 auf Wiedersehen friends!
Chicken Schnitzel
Ingredients
- 4 4-6 ounce skinless boneless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Freshly chopped chives
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a plastic bag, one at a time, and pound them so they are about ½ inch thick throughout its entirety.
- Prepare 3 bowls, one with flour, salt, pepper, lemon zest and the garlic powder, one with whisked eggs and the last with Panko bread crumbs.
- Place each piece of chicken in the flour, coating both sides, and shaking off any excess.
- Next dunk it into the whisked egg – let any excess liquid drain off.
- Next, coat it with the Panko breadcrumbs.
- Place a large skillet over medium high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully place one piece of Chicken Schnitzel into the pan and let it cook for 3-5 minutes and then flip it over to finish cooking. Each piece should be golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the chicken to a paper towel lined plate and repeat the process with the remaining chicken. Once all the chicken is cooked, give it all a generous squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives, and season with more salt as needed.
Love this! Simple, quick and delicious. It’s become a family favorite. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Even I could do it, though I suffer from hot oil anxiety thanks to a kitchen fire when I was 12
Thank you!
Absolutely delicious! Crispy and lemony
You have been my saving grace during this quarantine as I have run out of recipe ideas on my own. I made this last night and it was a total hit. Absolutely juicy and delicious. The lemon zest really gives the flour a little somethign extra. A little taste of summer greatness in your mouth.
MADE MY DAY!
Works great with an air fryer too.
who doesn't love a great nugget??!!
I made this last night for my husband and a friend and it came out perfect, and got tons of compliments. The lemon zest is key! It was the perfect week night meal because it was quick to make but still felt special and hearty. I did use ghee instead of olive oil because I was worried the olive oil would burn but other than that I made it exactly to the recipe. I have a feeling this will be requested again very soon. Another hit from Gaby!
I love the schnitzel as well. My fav. Having dinner party. Can I cook 1/2 way then finish in oven after they come so there isn’t a mess?
I would cook them entirely and then just warm in the oven!