Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between breaded chicken and schnitzel? ›

A breaded chicken fillet is just that, a breaded chicken fillet. A schnitzel has been bashed out flat so it is wider and thinner, then breaded. This makes it quicker to cook, and tenderises it somewhat.

Dip into the egg wash and drain the excess, then straight into the breadcrumb mixture. Cover completely and press down with fingertips. “Crumb just before you cook them, as the moisture can come through the chicken and make the crumbs soggy. Crumb and fry keeps them crisp,” Tony says.

Cook's Tip: Be sure to pound the chicken well until quite thin, this will help it cook quickly and evenly without drying out. Dinner Prep Tip: Because chicken schnitzel will cook very quickly, and you do want to serve it nice and warm, be sure to prepare your salad or sides first before you begin cooking the chicken.

Pounding helps tenderize the meat by breaking down its tough fibers. It also thins it out for more even cooking. Do this before frying, grilling, or roasting for better retention of moisture content. To tenderize chicken breast, place the meat on a durable, flat surface.

Make sure the breadcrumbs completely cover the chicken, making a nice, thick coating. Don't forget to gently pat the coating on all sides of the chicken to help it adhere.

schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities. The Americanized version of the dish is chicken-fried steak.

Popping the crumbed food in the fridge for 15 minutes before frying will also help the crumbs to stick to the meat. Make sure that your oil is hot enough before you add the crumbed meat to the pan.

The reason you dredge the veal cutlet is so the flour absorbs any excess moisture, enabling the egg to better adhere to the meat. I double dredge when I want a double coating of egg.

Remember, the key to a crispy coating is frying the schnitzel at the right temperature. Too low and it'll absorb too much oil, too high and it'll burn. Aim for medium-high heat and you'll get that golden, crispy finish every time – about 165°C if you have a kitchen thermometer.

The white stuff coming out of chicken as it cooks is simply extra protein that dissolves in water and is forced out of the meat by heat. Food scientist Topher McNeil, PhD, explains, “The [chicken] muscles themselves actually contract and squeeze out the liquid that's in between muscle cells.”

What is the best oil to fry chicken schnitzel? ›

I typically prefer to use olive oil over canola oil because it's healthier (see this article), but I hardly ever use it and it's fine in moderation! Plus it's worth it for me for this one because it really helps give this schnitzel that perfect crispy crunchy outer coating!

Brining keeps chicken incredibly moist while adding an excellent flavour. It's a bit more labour intensive than a simple spice rub, but it's worth the effort for that extra special chicken dinner. Brining is basically soaking meat in a salt water solution, but the flavour doesn't stop at just salt.

The best tenderizer though, is a salted yogurt marinade. The salt has the same effect as in a regular brine, but the lactic acid in the yogurt further tenderizes the meat. A 15-minute marinade with one cup of yogurt and one teaspoon of salt makes for the most tender chicken breasts imaginable.

You might have wondered why most chefs or cooks prefer to soak their chicken in buttermilk or yogurt overnight. Well, the answer is simple: they are tenderizing the chicken for cooking later, and that's the secret behind their super delicious, juicy chicken.

In Germany, the term Schnitzel means cutlets in general, not just breaded, fried ones. Schnitzel Wiener Art ('Viennese style schnitzel') is a pounded, breaded and fried cutlet, more often made of pork than of veal.

The breading is typically an easy coating of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs. Schnitzel is not typically highly seasoned, relying instead on bold toppings such as fresh lemon wedges, mushroom sauce, or cream sauce to add a boost of flavor.

A hearty chicken schnitzel made with 100% chicken breast. Some items may not be available in all markets.