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This is a simple recipe that takes no time at all to make. Serve with a nice salad (try my cannellini bean salad if you want something different), and even a dish of pasta on the side to round it out and you are all set!
On the other hand, you can also use these cutlets with Italian bread to make a delicious sandwich. If frying isn’t your thing, you should also check out my breaded chicken breasts recipe where I show you how to bake the chicken and still have them come out crispy!
When I first made this recipe I didn’t follow any instructions. I got the gist of what to do from my mother-in-law over the phone when I called for help finding good Italian recipes.
And true to the stereotypical old Italian woman describing a recipe, I was told how to make them with… “a little bit of this… and a little pinch of that… and I don’t know… you’ll just know when it’s ready. Okay honey?”
Yeah, that’s pretty much how it went… literally. So I was soon on my way… very scary indeed.
But alas, it proved to be so simple my husband was totally surprised and raved about the meal. So what I’ve done is create a more detailed step by step version of the recipe, one with actual *gasp* measurements!
Enjoy, I know you’ll love them! It’s so easy to make you can’t go wrong!
Easy Chicken Cutlets Recipe - Italian Style!
This easy Italian recipe for fried chicken cutlets is a family favorite! It's easy and is awesome with pasta or salad! You must try it!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts partially thawed
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2-3 tbsp fresh or dried parsley
- 1 beaten egg
- pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
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Slice the chicken breasts to fillet them very thin. No more than 1/4 thick!
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Place a few at a time in a large plastic ziplock bag and use a meat mallet/tenderizer to flatten the breasts even more. You can skip this step if you're real low on time - I have done it both ways.
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In a bowl, add the salt and pepper to the flour and mix so it's blended evenly.
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In a separate bowl mix the parsley with the breadcrumbs
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Dip cutlets in the flour, egg, then breadcrumbs mixture in that order. The flour allows the egg to adhere, hence it is first.
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Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat
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Place in frying pan and fry for about 2 - 3 minutes
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Turn over and fry another 1 minute or until fully cooked. Length of time varies depending on the thickness of the breasts.
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Remove from the pan and place directly on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Recipe Notes
A few tips to mention:
TIP #1: Fry your chicken in batches and add more oil if you need to during the process. You know when to add more oil when it starts to smoke or burn.
TIP #2: Serve with a nice salad, bread and some pasta.
TIP #3: You do not have to use extra virgin olive oil, regular olive oil is fine for frying.
TIP #4: Feel free to add in some Italian cheese in the breadcrumb mixture!
A good Italian cutlet has at least 1/2 to 3/4 cup of good Italian cheese like Reggiano or Locatelli. Why didn’t you use it? Also fresh snipped parsley!
Hi Marie! This recipe from my Sicilian mother-in-law doesn’t use cheese but I do use it in my Italian baked chicken breasts recipe. I’ve added the cheese in as a tip as it makes sense! Thanks for catching the issue with the parsley!! I always add that in and I don’t know why my recipe didn’t have it. I love fresh parsley over dried when available. I’ve updated the recipe accordingly – thanks!!
I love this recipe better then any italian dish
I just made these as I had chicken cutlets and no dinner ideas.these were fantastic. I did use Italian seasoned pinko breadcrumbs . BUT any ideas as how to make the breadcrumbs stick after I flip them in pan? Is it my oil isn’t hot enough initially? Also could I use cutlets to make your chicken Parmesan or are they too thin?
5 stars
Hi Julie, I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe! I am not sure regarding the sticking, if it is sticking to the pan itself I would think not enough oil at a high enough temp. Hard to say. Also I make sure to really press the breadcrumbs into the chicken to help it stay on.
For a chicken parm you would probably want them a little thicker than a cutlet. Hope that helps!
Are crumbs store bought seasoned?
Hi Carol, many stores offer both seasoned and “plain” breadcrumbs. It should be stated on the box/container. I’ve noticed sometimes brands only offer seasoned. I’ve seen panko breadcrumbs offered plain.
Easy to follow except the recipe calls for parsley but didn’t say what to do with it in the direction
Thanks! Just add the parsley in with the breadcrumbs. I will update the recipe!
Hi can this be oven baked too?
Hi Paula, yes it can! Follow the steps in my baked breaded chicken breasts here but just add more oil to make it more crispy! https://www.simpleitaliancooking.com/breaded-chicken-breasts-recipe/