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Ultra close-up macro of sliced crispy baked parmesan crusted chicken cutlet with juicy interior

Crispy Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken Cutlets

Ultra-crispy baked parmesan crusted chicken cutlets with an airy panko herb coating and tender, juicy white chicken breast. Baked on an elevated wire rack for 360-degree crunch in just 25 minutes without pan frying.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 cutlets
Calories: 395

Ingredients
  

Tender Chicken Cutlets
  • 4 cutlets boneless skinless chicken breasts halved horizontally and pounded to 1/3-inch thickness
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 0.25 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Seasoned Flour & Dijon Egg Wash
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp sweet smoked paprika
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard secret binding agent and flavor booster
Parmesan Panko Crunch Coating
  • 1 cup Japanese panko breadcrumbs airy and extra crispy
  • 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano finely microplaned
  • 2 tbsp fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley finely minced
  • 1 tsp dried Italian oregano
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil spray for golden blistered browning
  • 1 whole lemon cut into wedges for serving

Method
 

Pounding & 3-Bowl Breading Station
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and fit a metal wire cooling rack inside the sheet. Lightly mist the rack with olive oil spray.
  2. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment paper. Use a meat mallet or heavy rolling pin to gently pound them to an even 1/3-inch thickness across. Pat completely dry with paper towels and season with sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Set up three shallow wide bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Bowl 2 with beaten eggs whisked with Dijon mustard. Bowl 3 with panko breadcrumbs, microplaned parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and dried oregano.
Dredging & Elevated Baking
  1. Working with one cutlet at a time, dredge lightly in seasoned flour (shaking off excess), submerge completely into the egg Dijon wash, then press firmly into the parmesan panko mixture until heavily coated on both sides.
  2. Transfer breaded cutlets onto the prepared wire cooling rack in a single layer without overlapping. Generously mist the top of each cutlet with olive oil spray.
  3. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12 to 14 minutes until the exterior is deeply golden and crunchy, and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Switch broiler to HIGH for 60 to 90 seconds for maximum blistering.
  4. Rest 3 minutes on the wire rack before slicing diagonally on a bias. Dust with extra parmesan, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the crust, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 46gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 540mgPotassium: 620mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 240mgIron: 2.1mg

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