Chicken schnitzel is a thin, breaded cutlet that has become a beloved comfort food around the world. With its crispy golden exterior and tender meat inside, it’s easy to see why this dish is so popular But to truly appreciate chicken schnitzel, it helps to understand what it’s made of In this article, we’ll explore the key ingredients and preparation steps that go into 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 play a crucial binding role in the cooking process Chicken cutlets are dipped in beaten eggs before the breadcrumb coating, This allows the crumbs to adhere tightly,
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
A light coating of all-purpose flour helps the egg bind evenly to the chicken before the crumbs are added. It creates a smooth surface for breading.
Oil or Butter
The breaded cutlets are cooked either by pan-frying in oil or baking 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 paired with a tangy sauce like this dijon cream sauce to cut through the richness of the chicken.
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 you can’t help but love, which is probably why it’s so prolific—versions of the recipe can be found in cultures around the world.
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, a pounded and fried meat cutlet is pretty common but it goes by other names, like Milanese, chicken fried steak, chicken Parmesan, and others.