Parmesan-Crusted Chicken

Ingredients

• Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each)
• 1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• Lemon wedges (optional)
• Heat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Slice each breast in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets total. Pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are 1/4-inch thick. Season the cutlets with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
• In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over the mixture and toss until the bread crumbs are evenly coated and glistening.
• Brush each cutlet on both sides with about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Press each cutlet firmly into the panko mixture until fully and evenly coated.
• Arrange the breaded cutlets on your prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are beautifully golden-brown and cooked through.
• Give them a final light sprinkle of kosher salt right out of the oven and serve hot with lemon wedges.
• For an extra punch of deep, savory umami, try tossing a pinch of MSG into the panko-Parmesan mixture along with your kosher salt before coating!

Method

1. 01

   If using frozen chicken breasts, they must be fully thawed before slicing and pounding. Choose one of these safe methods:

2. 02

   Cold Water Bath (Recommended): Place sealed chicken in a leak-proof bag and submerge completely in cold tap water (change water every 30 minutes). Takes 1–2 hours. Tip: Slicing is easiest when the chicken is 90% thawed but slightly firm.

3. 03

   Refrigerator Thawing: Place chicken in the fridge until fully thawed. Takes 12–24 hours.

4. 04

   Microwave Defrost (Emergency): Remove packaging and place on a microwave-safe plate. Use the defrost setting (30% power) in 2-minute intervals, flipping frequently. Note: You must cook the chicken immediately after using this method.