Description
This Zesty Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken features tender, golden chicken tenders coated in a flavorful lemon and Pecorino breadcrumb crust, topped with a creamy, tangy lemon sauce. It’s a perfect balance of crispy and creamy, ideal for a quick dinner or special meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 (2-ounce) chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Zest from 1 lemon
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Using a meat mallet, flatten the chicken tenderloins to an even thickness.
- Set up three bowls for dredging: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, lemon zest, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Coat each tenderloin first in flour, then in egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Once hot, fry the chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side. Work in batches if necessary. Drain on paper towels.
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Whisk in flour, then gradually add milk, cream, and chicken broth.
- Increase heat to medium-high, bring to a boil, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and butter.
- Drizzle the sauce over the crispy chicken before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with a lower-fat cream or milk.
- This dish can be served with a side of vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken tenderloin with sauce
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 105mg