Description
Craving a crispy, golden dinner with a bright punch of flavor? This Zesty Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken Recipe delivers exactly that. Juicy chicken cutlets are breaded with pecorino cheese and panko, then fried or baked to crunchy perfection. Finished with a drizzle of tangy lemon butter sauce, it’s a gourmet-level dish you can whip up on any weeknight. It’s perfect for those who love easy dinner recipes with bold flavor, crowd-pleasing textures, and citrusy flair. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just shaking up your dinner ideas, this one hits every note.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
3⁄4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Pound chicken breasts to even thickness and season with salt and pepper.
2. Prepare three bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and a mix of panko, pecorino, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third.
3. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in eggs, then coat in breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes.
5. In a small saucepan, melt butter and stir in lemon juice. Simmer briefly and season.
6. Plate chicken and drizzle lemon butter sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley.
7. Serve immediately while crispy.
Notes
Use a wire rack when baking to keep the bottom crispy.
Swap pecorino with parmesan if that’s what you have on hand—still delicious!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-fried or Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cutlet
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: crispy chicken recipe, lemon chicken, pecorino crusted chicken, easy dinner, chicken ideas