Crispy Parmesan Chicken Cutlets (Printable)

Tender, juicy chicken with a golden, cheesy Parmesan crust baked to crispy perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 lbs)

→ Breading

02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60 g)
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 tablespoon milk
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (60 g)
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ To Finish

11 - Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
13 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly coat with olive oil or spray.
02 - Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally, then pound to an even thickness of 1/2 inch using a meat mallet. Pat dry with paper towels.
03 - Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and milk, and one with combined panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
04 - Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off the excess, dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the panko-Parmesan mixture on both sides.
05 - Place the breaded cutlets on the prepared baking sheet and lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil to promote crispness.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The Parmesan crust gets so crispy in the oven, you wont miss frying at all.
  • Its fast enough for a Tuesday but impressive enough to serve guests without hesitation.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and make incredible sandwiches the next day.
02 -
  • If you skip pounding the chicken, the thick parts will stay undercooked while the thin parts dry out.
  • Drying the chicken before breading is not optional, any moisture will make the coating slip right off in the oven.
  • Flipping halfway through is the difference between pale and golden, do not forget this step.
03 -
  • Press the panko coating firmly onto the chicken, loose breading will fall off and burn on the pan.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of guessing, overcooked chicken is the saddest thing.
  • Let the cutlets rest for a minute after baking, it keeps the juices inside instead of running all over your cutting board.
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