Table of Contents
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Italian chicken cutlets – crispy and golden with a hint of garlic and herbs. This versatile recipe is a must-try, taking only about 35 minutes to prepare.
Quick Overview of Chicken Cutlets
- ⏱ Ready In: 35 minutes (20 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook)
- 🍽 Serves: 4
- 🌱 Diet: High-Protein (gluten-free swap noted below)
- 💪 Nutrition Highlights: High in protein from the chicken, egg coating, and parmesan
- 🥕 Main Ingredients: Chicken breast, flour, egg, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning
- 🔥 Flavor Profile: Crispy, garlicky, herby and cheesy
- 🧊 Meal-Prep Friendly: Leftovers keep well and reheat crispy in a pan, oven, or air fryer (or eat cold as a snack!)
- Best Served With: Salads, sandwiches, pasta, or dipped in marinara
Elevate your cooking game with these crispy Italian chicken cutlets. Infused with garlic powder and Italian seasoning, each bite is bursting with flavor. Pan-frying in a combination of olive oil and butter creates a rich, delectable crust that sets this recipe apart.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Whether served over a salad, in a sandwich, or paired with pasta and marinara, these cutlets never fail to impress. Once you master this recipe, it will become a staple in your kitchen.
👩🍳 You might also like these chicken recipes:
→ Pecan-crusted chicken with honey & garlic
→ Grilled chicken tenders (with herb and garlic sauce)
→ Garlic Parmesan chicken (and pasta)
→ High-protein chicken pasta salad
→ Chicken salad wraps
→ Chicken Milanese with Parmesan Caesar salad (uses the same cutlets but with a tasty side dish).
Ingredients Needed
Here is a list of ingredients required for this Italian chicken cutlets recipe. Refer to the full measurements in the recipe card below.
For the chicken
- Chicken breasts — sliced into thinner cutlets for faster and even cooking
- Salt, garlic powder, and pepper — season the chicken for a flavorful taste
For the crumbing station
- Flour — helps the egg adhere to the chicken
- Eggs — bind the coating to the chicken
- Breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch) — mixed with Italian seasoning for a seasoned crust
- Italian seasoning — adds a burst of flavor to the coating
For cooking
- Olive oil and butter — create a rich, golden crust when combined
Instructions for Making Italian Chicken Cutlets
Discover the complete recipe and nutritional details below. Follow these steps to prepare delectable Italian chicken cutlets.
- Begin by trimming the chicken tenderloins and slicing the breast into thinner pieces. Tenderize the chicken until thin and uniform. Season one side with salt, garlic powder, and pepper, and the other side with a touch of salt.
- Set up your breading station: flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs mixed with Italian seasoning and salt in the third.
- Dredge each cutlet in flour, then egg, and press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring full coating on both sides.
- To pan-fry: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil and butter. Cook cutlets for 2.5-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Sprinkle with sea salt before serving.
- To air fry: Preheat to 200°C/400°F. Cook cutlets for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
- To bake: Preheat to 220°C/425°F. Bake cutlets on a wire rack for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- Allow the cutlets to rest briefly before serving – whether in a salad, sandwich, or with pasta and marinara.
Watch The Video
Recipe Tips
- Tenderize the chicken evenly. Ensuring uniform thickness is crucial for juicy results.
- Enhance flavor with the oil-and-butter combo. A richer crust is achieved by combining olive oil and butter.
- Air frying and baking methods are equally effective. Choose these options for a lighter approach.
- For a gluten-free option: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs in the breading process.
- Add Parmesan to the breadcrumbs: Introduce finely grated Parmesan for a cheesy touch.
- Create chicken parmesan: Top a cooked cutlet with marinara and mozzarella, then broil until melted.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a crispy finish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the cutlets ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Serving Suggestions
These Italian chicken cutlets are incredibly versatile. Serve them over salad, in a sandwich, or with pasta and marinara for a satisfying meal. For a complete dining experience, try pairing them with a Parmesan Caesar salad in my chicken Milanese recipe.