Breaded Chicken Breast – Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Chicken schnitzel or breaded chicken breast is an absolute classic that everybody loves. This simple, easy and effortless recipe is dipped in flour and a creamy egg mixture for that soft interior; then coated with breadcrumbs for that outside crisp. These are pan fried not deep fried making them a healthier option.

Breaded Chicken Breast not fried aka Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Who doesn’t love chicken schnitzel? Though, not everybody calls them chicken schnitzel. My mom made these all the time but didn’t call them chicken schnitzel; we just called it breaded chicken breast. Did you know the word ‘Schnitzel’ is a German word for cutlet? So technically these are Chicken Cutlets; chicken breast dipped in egg mixture then coated in dry breadcrumbs.

It’s amazing how simple these chicken schnitzel recipes can be. And yet, it’s one of the most popular chicken dishes over generations. Aadi can eat these almost every day, every meal. My mother in law made these every single time we went for dinner because all the grandchildren loved it so much. The best thing is you can create so many different variations.

Traditionally these are fried! My mother in law would deep fry them until golden crisp which is why the kids loved it so much. Well, by now you know me – I’m not a huge fan of deep frying in oil. Mainly for health reasons but also because the whole house then smells of fried oil. I hate that!! So I pan fry them in just a little oil and I’ll share what I do in more detail below.

We often serve these with rice or mashed potatoes. Today I have served them with Lemon Rosemary Roast potatoes and salad.

Best Chicken Schnitzel not fried aka Breaded Chicken Breast Recipe

Breaded Chicken Breast not fried aka Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Breaded Chicken Breast Make Perfect Freezer Meals

I usually make more than what I need for one meal so I can put them in the freezer for my busy cake order days. And you have two options to freeze them.

1. Cook them as we do below. When they are cold just place them in a ziplock bag. These make amazing sandwiches and wraps. If you have teenagers (who are always hungry) these are great to have on hand. Just thaw as many as you need in the microwave.
2. Freeze them uncooked as you see in the image below. All you do is place them uncooked in a ziplock bag, remove as much air and lay them flat in the freezer until frozen. Once they are frozen you can stack them up and store away in the corner of the freezer until you need them.
   To re-use just thaw them in the fridge for a  couple of hours and cook them as we do below.  My kids love chicken schnitzel so I have these on hand for busy cake days and it’s such a blessing.

Breaded Chicken Breast Not Fried – Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Why Pan Fried not Baked

Personally, I’m not a big fan of putting chicken breast in the oven. If you don’t take them out at the right time they can be dry. I love cooking them with a little oil in the pan which not just cooks them thru nicely and evenly but also caramelizes them a bit on the outside giving it so much more flavor. If you follow the method I show you below you will never ever have a dry chicken schnitzel. My Buttermilk Crispy Chicken is very similar and baked in the oven, but those are legs and baking works best for that.

Breaded Chicken Breast Not Fried, not baked aka Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Recipe – Breaded Chicken Breast (Not Fried) – Best Chicken Schnitzel (Save/Pin)

Tools

• Mallet
• Chopping boardand Kitchen Knife
• Mixing Bowls
• Skilletor Fry Pan

Ingredients

• Chicken breast – 2 large
• Egg – 1 large
• Bread crumbs – 2 cups
• All purpose flour – 1 cup
• Mustard – 1 tbsp
• Herbs – 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Pepper – to taste
• Cooking oil – 2 to 4 tbsp

Optional Additions

• Parmesan cheese – 1 tbsp
• Sour cream – 1 tbsp
• Chopped fresh herbs – 2 tbsp

Method

Prepare Chicken Breast

• Clean chicken breast and wipe dry.
• Use a sharp knife and split the breast in half horizontally (see image).
• Flatten each piece with the flat of the knife or a mallet.
• Season with salt and pepper.

Breaded Chicken Breast not fried aka Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Prepare Egg Mixture

• In one bowl – whisk an egg with one tablespoon water.
• Add salt, pepper, mustard and any other optional ingredients you want to use.
• Set aside.

Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture

• In a second bowl – add breadcrumbs.
• Add salt pepper and herbs.
• Mix well and set aside.

Prepare Flour Mixture

• In a third bowl – place flour.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Set aside.

Bread the Chicken Breast

• Dust each chicken piece in the flour mix. Dust off any excess.
• Drop the chicken piece into the egg mixture. Use a fork to ensure it’s well coated on all sides.
• Then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to press lightly making sure it’s well coated.
• Remove from the breadcrumb mix and onto a clean plate.
• Do the same with all the pieces and set aside.

Breaded Chicken Breast not fried aka Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Cooking the Chicken Schnitzel

• Heat a skillet on medium-high.
• Once hot add a tbsp of canola oil – swirl the pan so you coat the whole pan well.
• Place the breaded chicken breast pieces evenly.
• Cook on high for one minute (this will add color) then reduce the heat and cook on medium for two minutes.
• Lightly spray or drizzle another tablespoon oil – on the uncooked sides of the breaded chicken breast.
• Then turn the heat up to high again and flip the chicken pieces.
• Cook on high for one minute then reduce heat and cook on low for another two minutes.
• These breaded chicken breast usually take not more than 8 to 10 minutes (depending on thickness).
• If you aren’t sure if the chicken is cooked – cut one open with a knife and check.
• Once done remove from the pan and place on a paper towel to absorb.
• Enjoy!

Breaded Chicken Breast Recipe – Not Fried – Best Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Breaded Chicken Breast Not Fried aka Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Chicken schnitzel or breaded chicken breast is an absolute classic that everybody loves. This simple, easy and effortless recipe is dipped in flour and a creamy egg mixture for that soft interior; then coated with breadcrumb for that outside crisp. These are pan fried not deep fried making them a healthier option.

5 from 16 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: International, Israeli

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Adjust Servings Here: 4 servings

Calories: 244kcal

Author: Veena Azmanov

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken breast large
• 1 Egg large
• 2 cups Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup All purpose flour
• 1 tbsp Mustard
• 2 tbsp Herbs
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp Cooking oil to 4 tbsp 

Optional Additions

• 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp Sour cream
• 2 tbsp Chopped fresh herbs

Metric - US customary

Instructions

Prepare Chicken Breast

• Clean chicken breast and wipe dry.
• Use a sharp knife and split the breast in half horizontally (see image).
• Flatten each piece with the flat of the knife or a mallet.
• Season with salt and pepper.

Prepare Egg Mixture

• In one bowl - whisk an egg with one tablespoon water.
• Add salt, pepper, mustard and any other optional ingredients you want to use.
• Set aside.

Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture

• In a second bowl - add breadcrumbs.
• Add salt pepper and herbs.
• Mix well and set aside.

Prepare Flour Mixture

• In a third bowl - place flour.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Set aside.

Bread the Chicken Breast

• Dust each chicken piece in the flour mix. Dust off any excess.
• Drop the chicken piece into the egg mixture. Use a fork to ensure it's well coated on all sides.
• Then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to press lightly making sure it's well coated.
• Remove from the breadcrumb mix and onto a clean plate.
• Do the same with all the pieces and set aside.

Cooking the Chicken Schnitzel

• Heat a skillet on medium-high.
• Once hot add a tbsp of canola oil - swirl the pan so you coat the whole pan well.
• Place the breaded chicken breast pieces evenly.
• Cook on high for one minute (this will add color) then reduce the heat and cook on medium for two minutes.
• Lightly spray or drizzle another tablespoon oil - on the uncooked sides of the breaded chicken breast.
• Then turn the heat up to high again and flip the chicken pieces.
• Cook on high for one minute then reduce heat and cook on low for another two minutes.
• These breaded chicken breast usually take not more than 8 to 10 minutes (depending on thickness).
• If you aren't sure if the chicken is cooked - cut one open with a knife and check.
• Once done remove from the pan and place on a paper towel to absorb.
• Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Breaded Chicken Breast Not Fried aka Chicken Schnitzel Recipe

Amount Per Serving (109 g)

Calories 244 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 11g 17%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 69mg 23%

Sodium 402mg 17%

Potassium 0mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 0g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0g

Protein 17g 34%

Vitamin A 0%

Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 0%

Iron 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @veenaazmanov or tag #veenaazmanov!

Love cooking? Entertaining? Looking for inspiration for your next dinner party ideas? Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter Dinner ideas. I think you will love my collection of recipes to entertain.
Click here to see my Recipe Index with all recipes or check out my recommended Celebration Dishes

Appetizers to Desserts – A recipe for every celebration