Description
Baked chicken cutlets have long been a favorite in kitchens around the world. Originating from traditional Italian cuisine, these delightfully crispy and tender slices of chicken have found their way into the hearts and dinner tables of many, becoming a global comfort food. The art of baking, as opposed to frying, offers a healthier alternative that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture. This guide dives deep into creating the perfect baked chicken cutlets, exploring the best ingredients, cooking techniques, and variations to ensure your chicken is always golden, juicy, and irresistibly crisp.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (plus 3 Tbsp for egg wash)
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp dried basil
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp onion powder
2 large eggs
2 Tbsp whole milk
Salt and black pepper to taste
Olive oil or cooking spray for greasing
Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If you have a convection option, use it for a crisper finish.
Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets. If they’re too thick, place them between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even thickness of about ½ inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
2. Make Seasoned Breadcrumbs:
Mix the breadcrumbs, ½ cup of grated Pecorino cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl until well combined.
3. Prepare the Egg Wash:
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, 3 tablespoons of grated Pecorino cheese, and milk until smooth.
4. Breading:
Season both sides of the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
Dip each cutlet in the egg wash, ensuring both sides are well-coated.
Coat each cutlet in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken.
5. Baking:
Grease a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray and place the breaded cutlets in a single layer.
Spray or lightly brush the top of each cutlet with additional oil to encourage browning.
Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the cutlets and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy.
6. Serving:
Rest the cutlets for a few minutes after baking for juicier meat.
Serve hot with your choice of sides like a green salad, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: CHICKEN
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cutlet
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: baked chicken cutlets, oven-baked chicken breasts, crispy baked chicken, healthy chicken cutlets