Zesty Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken – 30-Minute Italian Dinner
Zesty Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken is a quick and delightful Italian-inspired dish that elevates your weeknight dinners in just 30 minutes. Featuring tender chicken coated in a crispy panko crust, this recipe combines the bright flavors of lemon zest and savory Pecorino Romano cheese, all enveloped in a luxurious cream sauce. Perfect for busy evenings or entertaining guests, this dish not only satisfies the palate but also impresses with its elegant presentation. Serve it alongside pasta, fresh salads, or roasted vegetables to create a complete meal that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken tenderloins (2 ounces each)
- 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
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Flatten chicken tenderloins with a meat mallet for even cooking.
- Set up a breading station: one bowl with flour, another with beaten eggs, and a third mixing panko breadcrumbs with lemon zest and Pecorino Romano.
- Dredge each tenderloin in flour, dip in eggs, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry chicken for 3–5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- In a separate saucepan, sauté minced garlic in olive oil, whisk in flour, milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth gradually. Simmer until thickened.
- Stir in lemon juice and butter before serving the sauce over the crispy chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken tenderloin (85g)
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 206mg