There is no doubt in my mind that chicken schnitzel would be my last meal on earth. There is nothing better than a crispy breaded chicken. After I found out I had celiac disease, I couldn’t eat this dish for years because most gluten-free panko was bad until recently. Now I am able to make my own gluten free schnitzel with this delicious dijon dipping sauce regularly, and I mean it when I say you really cannot tell it is gluten free.
Chicken schnitzel is a thin, breaded cutlet that people all over the world love for its comforting taste. It’s easy to see why this dish is so popular—the outside is golden and crispy, and the meat inside is soft. But to really enjoy chicken schnitzel, you need to know what goes into it. In this article, we’ll talk about the main ingredients and steps for making authentic chicken schnitzel.
The Main Ingredients of Chicken Schnitzel
Chicken schnitzel consists of just a few main ingredients, but they each serve an important purpose Here’s an overview of what goes into this iconic dish
Chicken
The star of the show is boneless, skinless chicken breast. It provides the soft, savory meat once cooked. Chicken thigh can also be used for added moisture and richness. The chicken is pounded thin before breading to ensure even cooking and a uniform texture.
Eggs
Eggs are an important part of cooking because they hold things together. Before the breadcrumb coating, chicken cutlets are dipped in beaten eggs. This makes it easier for the crumbs to stick well.
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
Putting a little all-purpose flour on the chicken before adding the crumbs helps the egg stick to it evenly. It creates a smooth surface for breading.
Oil or Butter
You can either pan-fry the breaded cutlets in oil or bake them with butter. This gives the exterior a beautifully golden browned finish.
The Step-by-Step Process
Now that we know the key ingredients, let’s look at how they come together to create the ultimate 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.
In both cases, they are cooked until the outside is crispy and golden brown, and the chicken is cooked 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. The process typically involves coating the chicken breast in flour, dipping it in beaten eggs, and then coating it with breadcrumbs before frying it in oil or butter. This cooking method results in a crispy outer layer while keeping the chicken inside moist and tender. It is often served with a sour sauce, like this Dijon cream sauce, to balance out the chicken’s rich flavor.
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.