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Main Dishes

Crispy Chicken Schnitzel

Crispy chicken schnitzel is the perfect comforting and fresh chicken recipe. It's easy enough to be made on a weeknight, too!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 2 -4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken schnitzel:

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied to 1/2" thickness (see notes above)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons za'atar seasoning
  • salt and pepper
  • canola oil for frying
  • lemon wedges for serving

Brussels Sprouts Salad:

  • 10 oz shaved brussels sprouts
  • 4 pieces cooked crispy bacon, chopped (1 tablespoon of bacon fat reserved)
  • 1 small shallot thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup toasted almonds roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • To make the chicken schnitzel: Using a sharp knife, butterfly the chicken breasts. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, you'll want to cut it almost all the way in half through the middle leaving you with a larger, much thinner steak (see notes in the blog post). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, dijon, Worcestershire, water, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper until smooth. In a separate, shallow dish or pie plate, combine the panko with the sesame seeds and za'atar until well-mixed.
  • Heat about 1 1/2 inches of canola oil in a wide-bottomed, high-sided pot (reduces splatter, a dutch oven works well, or a large cast-iron skillet) to 350 degrees F.
  • Dip the chicken into the batter and coat it well. Shake off any excess as you lift it from the bowl and then transfer it to the panko crumbs and coat it really well. Repeat with the second chicken breast.
  • One a time, gently ease the chicken into the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet and into a 200-degree F oven. This keeps the chicken warm and crispy while you fry the second piece.
  • To make the brussels sprout salad: heat a large skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon fat and when the fat starts to shimmer, add the shaved brussels sprouts to the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the sprouts are lightly charred. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately with lots of lemon wedges for squeezing.