If I had to pick my last meal on earth, there is no doubt in my mind that chicken schnitzel would make it to the menu. There is nothing better than a crispy breaded chicken. For years I wasn’t able to have this dish after finding out I had celiac disease because most gluten free panko was garbage until recent years. I can now regularly make my own gluten-free schnitzel with this tasty dijon dipping sauce. I really mean it when I say you can’t tell it’s gluten-free.
Chicken schnitzel is a thin, breaded cutlet that has become a beloved comfort food around the world. With its crispy golden exterior and tender meat inside, it’s easy to see why this dish is so popular But to truly appreciate chicken schnitzel, it helps to understand what it’s made of In this article, we’ll explore the key ingredients and preparation steps that go into making authentic chicken schnitzel.
The Main Ingredients of Chicken Schnitzel
There are only a few main ingredients in chicken schnitzel, but each one is very important. Here is a list of what goes into this famous dish.
Chicken
The star of the show is boneless, skinless chicken breast. It provides the soft, savory meat once cooked. You can also add chicken thighs to make it more moist and rich. The chicken is pounded thin before it is breaded to make sure it cooks evenly and has the same texture.
Eggs
Eggs play a crucial binding role in the cooking process Chicken cutlets are dipped in beaten eggs before the breadcrumb coating, This allows the crumbs to adhere tightly,
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs create the signature crispy exterior of schnitzel. Standard breadcrumbs work well, but many recipes call for Japanese panko breadcrumbs for an ultra-crispy crunch. The crumbs are seasoned, often with salt, pepper, parsley, and lemon zest.
Flour
A light coating of all-purpose flour helps the egg bind evenly to the chicken before the crumbs are added. It creates a smooth surface for breading.
Oil or Butter
The breaded cutlets are cooked either by pan-frying in oil or baking with butter. This gives the exterior a beautifully golden browned finish.
The Step-by-Step Process
Now that we know what the main ingredients are, let’s see how they work together to make the best chicken schnitzel:
Preparing the Chicken
The chicken breasts are trimmed, sliced horizontally, and gently pounded to a thin, even thickness, usually about 1⁄4 inch. Pounding tenderizes the meat and allows for quick, uniform cooking. The cutlets are seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
Breading the Chicken
The chicken goes through a three-step breading process:
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Flour: The cutlets are dredged lightly in flour, coating both sides.
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Egg Wash: Next, they are dipped in beaten eggs.
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Breadcrumbs: Finally, the chicken is coated thoroughly in seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they adhere.
Cooking the Chicken
The breaded schnitzel can now be cooked either by:
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Pan-frying: In a skillet with 1⁄4 inch of oil or butter over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Baking: On a sheet pan at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
They are cooked until the outside is golden brown and crispy and the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooked, chicken schnitzel is classically served with lemon wedges, to squeeze fresh juice over the top. Side dishes like potato salad, roasted vegetables, or fresh greens complement it beautifully.
The Origins of Chicken Schnitzel
While Wiener schnitzel is the famous veal version from Austria, chicken schnitzel has become popular worldwide. The breading technique used in schnitzel can be traced back to Roman times. But the dish as we know it today surfaced in the 19th century in Vienna, spreading quickly throughout Europe and beyond. Each culture has put its own spin on the basic method. For instance, in Germany, schnitzel is often made with pork or turkey. The Japanese katsu and Italian Milanese are essentially schnitzel under a different name. Wherever it originated, chicken schnitzel has cemented its place as a cherished specialty.
Make Your Own Perfect Chicken Schnitzel
Now that you know what chicken schnitzel is all about, it’s time to try making your own at home. Follow an authentic recipe using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Pay close attention to properly preparing and breading the chicken. Pan-fry or bake until the outside is beautifully crisp and the inside is cooked through and tender. Serve it up with traditional sides and lemon. With its comforting flavors and satisfying crunch, your homemade chicken schnitzel is sure to become a new family favorite.
What is Chicken Schnitzel?
Chicken schnitzel is a popular dish from Austria made from chicken breast that has been pounded thin, breaded, and fried until crispy. Usually, the chicken breast is covered in flour, then dipped in beaten eggs, and finally covered in breadcrumbs. It is then fried in butter or oil. This cooking method results in a crispy outer layer while keeping the chicken inside moist and tender. It is often paired with a tangy sauce like this dijon cream sauce to cut through the richness of the chicken.
Chicken Schnitzel Recipe | How to Make Chicken Schnitzel
FAQ
What does chicken schnitzel contain?
For the uninitiated, chicken schnitzel is merely a chicken breast pounded thin, breaded, and fried. It’s one of those foods that everyone loves, which is likely why it’s so common. Different cultures all over the world have their own versions of the recipe.
What is schnitzel usually made of?
Schnitzel (German: [ˈʃnɪt͡sl̩]) is a thin slice of meat. The meat is usually thinned by pounding with a meat tenderizer. Most commonly, the meat is breaded before frying. Breaded schnitzel is popular in many countries and is made using veal, pork, chicken, mutton, beef, or turkey.
What’s the difference between breaded chicken and chicken schnitzel?
What’s the difference between breaded chicken and chicken schnitzel? Chicken schnitzel is a type of breaded chicken. It is a chicken breast pounded very thin, coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and fried until crispy.
What is a chicken schnitzel called in America?
You’d have to go to a German or Eastern European restaurant to find it on a menu. Those aren’t commonly found in America either. Schnitzel is a common name for a meat cutlet that is pounded and fried. It is also known as chicken fried steak, chicken Parmesan, and other names.