Description
Savory Italian Lemon Pecorino Chicken brings Mediterranean sunshine to dinner tables with zesty, bright flavors. Juicy chicken kissed with tangy lemon and sharp pecorino cheese invites you to savor a delightful culinary journey through Italy’s delicious landscapes.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 2-ounces (56 grams) chicken tenderloins
Coating and Breading:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (120 grams) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter
- Zest from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Gently pound chicken tenderloins to create uniform thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring even cooking.
- Prepare three separate dredging stations: first with flour, second with whisked eggs, and third with a zesty blend of breadcrumbs, freshly grated lemon zest, and grated pecorino cheese.
- Carefully coat each tenderloin by first dipping in flour, then completely covering in egg wash, and finally rolling thoroughly in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Warm a large nonstick skillet with olive oil and butter over medium heat (around 350°F), creating a golden cooking surface.
- Fry chicken pieces until crispy and golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer fried chicken to paper towels to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- In a separate saucepan, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Incorporate flour into the garlic, then gradually whisk in milk, cream, and chicken broth, creating a smooth base.
- Increase heat to medium-high, allowing sauce to simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes while stirring consistently.
- Remove sauce from heat, then finish by stirring in fresh lemon juice and butter for a vibrant, rich flavor.
- Generously drizzle warm sauce over crispy chicken before serving, ensuring each piece is beautifully coated.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is evenly pounded to guarantee uniform cooking and tender texture throughout the meat.
- Try gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the crispy coating.
- Pat chicken completely dry before dredging to help breading adhere perfectly and create a crispier golden crust.
- Allow sauce to rest briefly after cooking to develop richer, more concentrated flavors before drizzling over the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 0.8 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg