Crispy Chicken Schnitzel Recipe
Crispy Chicken Schnitzel is a classic dish featuring tender chicken cutlets coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust and fried to golden perfection. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a satisfying crunch with every bite, perfect as a main course for lunch or dinner.
- Author: Ria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: German
Chicken
- 4 chicken cutlets (about 6 oz each)
Breading
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crispiness)
- 2 large eggs
Cooking
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Prep the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance flavor before breading.
- Prepare the Breading Station: In one shallow dish, beat the eggs until smooth. In another dish, place the breadcrumbs for coating.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken cutlet first into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumbs pressing gently so the crumbs adhere well on all sides.
- Heat the Oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 3-4 minutes.
- Fry the Schnitzel: Place the breaded chicken cutlets carefully into the hot oil. Fry each side for about 3-4 minutes or until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drain and Serve: Remove the schnitzel from the skillet and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately while crispy.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can season the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs.
- Panko breadcrumbs will give a lighter, crispier coating compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken cutlets evenly if they are uneven in thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Keep the oil temperature steady to avoid soggy schnitzel; if too cool, the coating absorbs oil; if too hot, breadcrumbs burn.
- This schnitzel can be served with lemon wedges, potato salad, or a fresh green salad.
Keywords: chicken schnitzel, crispy chicken cutlets, fried chicken, breadcrumb chicken, easy chicken recipe