Description
A quick and easy recipe featuring boneless chicken breasts coated in a crispy Romano cheese and breadcrumb crust, brightened with fresh lemon juice and zest. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
- 1 cup finely grated Romano cheese (100g)
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (100g)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (30ml)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (45ml)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
Instructions
- Trim any fat or tendons from the chicken breasts. If thick, slice horizontally to make two thinner cutlets or pound to about 1/2 inch thickness.
- In a shallow bowl, combine Romano cheese, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic powder, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs and fresh lemon juice.
- Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, letting excess drip off, then press firmly into the Romano-breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides.
- Place coated chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the top.
- Bake in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crust is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let chicken rest a few minutes after baking. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Use finely grated Romano cheese for best crispiness; avoid pre-grated cheese with anti-caking agents.’, ‘Let coated chicken rest in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before baking for extra crisp crust.’, ‘Flip chicken halfway through baking to ensure even crisping.’, ‘Let chicken rest after baking to keep it juicy.’, ‘Use a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips and ease cleanup.’, ‘Do not overcrowd the pan to prevent steaming.’, ‘For a pan-fried version, cook chicken in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.’, ‘Gluten-free option: use gluten-free seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.’, ‘To reheat leftovers, warm gently in a skillet with a little olive oil to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving if possible.’]
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 420
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 45
Keywords: lemon chicken, Romano cheese, crispy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken, zesty chicken