Ingredients
Method
Pounding & 3-Bowl Breading Station
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
