Description
This Zesty Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken recipe offers a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken tenderloins are coated in a crunchy panko and Pecorino Romano crust infused with fresh lemon zest, pan-fried to golden perfection, and served with a luscious, creamy lemon garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy way to enjoy crispy, savory chicken with a bright citrus twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 2-ounce chicken tenderloins
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Tenderloins: Flatten the chicken tenderloins using a meat mallet to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Set Up Dredging Stations: Place the flour in one shallow bowl, beat the eggs in a second, and mix panko breadcrumbs with lemon zest and grated Pecorino Romano cheese in a third bowl.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each tenderloin first in flour, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko, lemon zest, and Pecorino mixture.
- Heat the Pan: Warm the extra virgin olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for frying.
- Pan-Fry Chicken: Cook the coated chicken tenderloins 3–5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked through, working in batches if necessary. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Sauté Garlic: In a separate saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Sauce Base: Whisk in flour to the garlic, then gradually stir in milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Allow the mixture to simmer for 3–5 minutes until it thickens to a creamy sauce consistency.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and butter to add brightness and richness to the sauce.
- Serve: Drizzle the creamy lemon garlic sauce over the crispy chicken tenderloins and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using a meat mallet ensures even thickness and helps the chicken cook uniformly.
- Drain cooked chicken on paper towels to keep it crispy by removing excess oil.
- If panko is unavailable, regular breadcrumbs can be used but will be less crispy.
- You can adjust the lemon juice amount in the sauce to your preferred level of tanginess.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, although sauce will be less rich.
- Work in batches when frying to avoid overcrowding the pan and steaming the chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: crispy chicken, lemon chicken, pecorino romano, Italian dinner, quick chicken recipe, pan-fried chicken, lemon garlic sauce
