If you’re looking for a delicious dinner option that’s quick, easy, and sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, look no further! This Easy Parmesan-Basil Chicken Cutlets comes together in about 30 minutes and is pan-fried to perfection for a delightful weeknight meal that your family will love. The best part is, you can easily switch up the ingredients based on what you have at home, use this as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal or as your new go-to recipe for comforting chicken that’s always a hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s take a look at the ingredients. This list is super straightforward and full of flavor. You probably have most of these in your kitchen already!
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: About one pound will do! They’re the stars of this dish.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Get the real deal if you can! Freshly grated elevates everything.
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs: You can make your own by toasting bread and blitzing it in the food processor.
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped: You can also use dried basil if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
- 2 large eggs: For binding all the yummy flavors together.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: For that extra aromatic kick.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Because a couple pinches of salt and pepper never hurt anybody!
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Add this to taste; we love a bit of warmth!
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: You’ll be using this for the dredging process.
- Olive oil, for frying: Use good olive oil! It adds such a nice flavor.
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional): Because everything is better with a squeeze of fresh lemon!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Ready to whip up these amazing chicken cutlets? Here’s how I make this recipe!
Pound the Chicken: Start by placing the chicken breasts in a plastic bag and pound them to about ½ inch thick. Take out any frustrations, the more even thickness means they’ll cook nicely! (About 5-10 minutes).
Set Up Your Breading Station: Now, let’s set up a little assembly line with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, add the flour. In the second, beat the eggs until they’re well mixed. For the last dish, mix together the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Isn’t it looking beautiful already?
Dredge the Chicken: Coat each chicken breast in flour first; this helps the egg and breadcrumb mixture stick better! Next, dip it in the beaten egg, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it’s nice and covered on all sides. It should be looking golden before it even hits the pan!
Heat the Pan: Now, in a large skillet, heat about ¼ inch of olive oil over medium heat. You’ll know it’s hot enough when a pinch of breadcrumbs sizzles on contact.
Cook the Chicken: Place a few cutlets in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan! Cook them for about 4-5 minutes per side until they’re golden brown and cooked through. The smell oh my goodness, it’s incredible!
Drain and Serve: Once cooked, drain the cutlets on paper towels to absorb any extra oil. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for that perfect bright touch.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something comforting yet quick! I love how crispy the outside gets, while the chicken stays tender on the inside. Seriously, I’m a real sucker for chicken cutlets that are bursting with flavor. The best part is that you can throw in whatever herbs or spices you have, you could even make it a little spicy with some red pepper flakes!
Plus, if I have leftover chicken, I can toss it in salads or make a sandwich out of it for lunch the next day. It’s such a versatile dish that I never get tired of making!
If you loved this Quick and Easy Parmesan-Basil Chicken Cutlets, be sure to check out my Crispy Honey Garlic Tofu, my Amazing Maple Dijon Glazed Pork Tenderloin, or my Easy Slow Cooker Pineapple Pork! You’ll find a bunch of recipes there to inspire your next meal.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This delicious recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! Anytime I need to whip up dinner fast, this is the queen of convenience. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want to get a meal on the table without too much hassle.
Minimal Cleanup Required
Comes together all in one pan (just one!). That means minimal clean-up afterward, which is a must for those long days.
Kid-Friendly
Your family will love it seriously! My kids devour these chicken cutlets and ask for seconds. It’s comfort food that’s packed with tons of flavor.
Customizable
The best part? You can use whatever ingredients you have! If you’re missing basil, swap it for parsley or even add some Italian seasoning. I’ve experimented with different cheese, too; mozzarella works great if you want to get a little cheesy with it!
Meal Prep Friendly
These cutlets are great for meal prep! You can make them ahead of time and reheat for a quick dinner option throughout the week.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
These chicken cutlets are delicious on their own or served alongside fresh veggies like a simple green salad or some roasted broccoli. They also pair beautifully with mashed potatoes or a nice pasta dish, you really can’t go wrong!
Storage
Leftovers (if you have any!) can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. Just make sure they’re in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until heated through. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes if you want that crispy texture back.
Is This Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze the uncooked breaded chicken cutlets. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just fry them straight from the freezer, adding a couple minutes extra to the cooking time. It’s a lifesaver for future meals!
And there you have it! My Quick and Easy Parmesan-Basil Chicken Cutlets recipe brings a delicious, comforting meal to your table in no time. I just know you and your family will love it as much as mine does. Enjoy your cooking, and remember, this is all about sharing love through food! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Quick and Easy Parmesan-Basil Chicken Cutlets
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Poultry
Description
A quick and easy family favorite, these chicken cutlets are pan-fried to perfection and can be customized with various ingredients.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Olive oil, for frying
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breasts in a plastic bag to about ½ inch thick (5-10 minutes).
- Set up a breading station with flour in one dish, beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of Parmesan, breadcrumbs, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, then dip in the egg, and coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat about ¼ inch of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the chicken cutlets for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain cutlets on paper towels and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
These cutlets are customizable with herbs and spices you have on hand and work well for meal prep. Great for kids and pairs well with various side dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cutlet
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
