Italian Basil Chicken Cutlets Recipe
Italian Basil Chicken Cutlets are tender, flavorful chicken breasts marinated in fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. They are breaded and pan-fried until golden and crispy, creating a delightful Italian-inspired dish perfect for a comforting meal.
- Author: Mick
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Breading Station
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs
For Frying and Serving
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken cutlets on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and gently pound with a meat mallet to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Make the basil marinade: In a small bowl, combine chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir well to create a flavorful basil marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Coat the chicken cutlets thoroughly with the basil marinade. Place them in a shallow dish, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
- Set up breading station: Prepare three shallow bowls—one with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with bread crumbs.
- Bread the chicken: Dredge each marinated chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten eggs, then press into the bread crumbs to ensure complete coating.
- Fry the cutlets: Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Fry the breaded chicken cutlets for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the chicken cutlets from the skillet and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil, ensuring a crispy texture.
- Serve: Serve the Italian basil chicken cutlets warm with lemon wedges and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves if desired for added freshness.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh basil and Parmesan cheese to maximize flavor.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook uniformly and remain tender.
- You can substitute bread crumbs with panko for an extra crispy texture.
- Adjust frying time depending on the thickness of the cutlets to avoid overcooking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and can be reheated in an oven to retain crispiness.
Keywords: Italian chicken, basil chicken cutlets, fried chicken cutlets, chicken breast recipe, crispy chicken, Parmesan chicken, easy Italian dinner