Description
Crispy chicken layered with gooey cheese and a bright spritz of lemon, Lemon Chicken Romano is an irresistible fusion of textures and flavors. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is as elegant as it is easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- Chicken and Coating
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (8–9 oz each, halved and pounded to ½-inch thick)
- ½ cup whole milk mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup provolone cheese (shredded)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Romano cheese (shredded, packed)
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano (minced, plus 1 tsp for garnish)
- 2 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt (to taste)
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- For Cooking and Serving
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 4 lemon wedges (for spritzing)
- 2 tsp fresh parsley (optional, minced)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Halve and pound chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness. Lightly season with salt and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Set Up the Coating Station
- Mix flour and egg in one dish.
- In another dish, combine breadcrumbs, Romano cheese, oregano, lemon zest, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Coat the Chicken
- Pat chicken dry, dredge in the egg mixture, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Fry the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken cutlets for 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake and Add Cheese
- Sprinkle chicken with mozzarella and provolone cheeses.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese melts and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with oregano, parsley (optional), and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying; work in batches if necessary.
- Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American