Zesty Lemon Pecorino Chicken Delight Recipe: A Flavor Symphony

Sizzling in the kitchen with a zesty lemon pecorino chicken delight recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds, this dish combines bold Mediterranean flavors with simple, elegant ingredients.

The bright citrus notes dance perfectly with the sharp, salty pecorino cheese, creating a mouthwatering harmony on your plate.

Tender chicken breasts become the canvas for this culinary masterpiece, absorbing every nuanced flavor with grace.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this incredibly easy yet impressive meal that looks like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant.

Rich, aromatic, and bursting with freshness, each bite delivers a punch of flavor that will leave you wanting more.

The combination of herbs, lemon, and pecorino transforms an ordinary chicken dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 640 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Lemon Pecorino Chicken

• Chicken Tenderloins: Lean, tender cut perfect for quick cooking, select fresh, uniform-sized pieces for consistent results.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates light, crispy barrier for even coating and golden exterior.
• Eggs: Helps breading adhere and adds rich binding properties to the coating.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides exceptional crunch and airy texture to chicken's exterior.
• Pecorino Romano Cheese: Delivers sharp, salty flavor and helps create crispy golden crust.
• Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes that complement the cheese and chicken.

• Olive Oil: Adds smooth, fruity undertone and helps prevent sticking during cooking.
• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create golden-brown coloration.
• Garlic: Infuses deep, aromatic essence into the sauce and enhances overall dish complexity.
• Flour: Thickens sauce and creates smooth, velvety texture.
• Milk: Contributes creamy consistency and mild background flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky mouthfeel to sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Deepens sauce's savory profile and adds subtle umami undertones.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens sauce with tangy, fresh flavor and balances richness.

Tools for Cooking Lemon Pecorino Chicken

• Meat Mallet: Essential for flattening chicken tenderloins evenly.
• Large Nonstick Skillet: Perfect for achieving golden brown chicken without sticking.
• Medium Saucepan: Ideal for creating the creamy lemon sauce.
• Three Mixing Bowls: Necessary for setting up the breading station with flour, eggs, and breadcrumb mixture.
• Whisk: Key for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Paper Towels: Helpful for draining excess oil from cooked chicken.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Grater: Useful for zesting lemon and grating Pecorino Romano cheese.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and preparing ingredients.

How to Make Lemon Pecorino Chicken Quickly

• Chicken Preparation Gentle flattening creates uniform thickness for even cooking. Use a meat mallet to soften and spread tenderloins carefully across their surface.
• Breading Blend Create a magical coating mixture combining panko, zesty lemon shavings, and fragrant Pecorino cheese. This layer will transform ordinary chicken into a crispy sensation.
• Coating Ritual Dip each tender piece through a three-stage dance: first dusting with flour, then swimming in whisked eggs, and finally rolling through the cheesy breadcrumb landscape.
• Golden Transformation Heat a skillet with a luxurious olive oil and butter blend. Slide chicken pieces into the warm embrace, cooking until edges turn golden and centers become perfectly tender. Work in small batches to ensure each piece achieves crispy perfection.
• Silky Sauce Journey Start by awakening minced garlic in olive oil, releasing its aromatic potential. Gradually introduce flour, milk, and broth, whisking continuously until the sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety companion for the chicken.
• Final Touch Finish the sauce with a splash of bright lemon juice and a knob of butter, creating a glossy, tangy complement that elevates the entire dish to a culinary masterpiece.

Ideas to Upgrade Lemon Chicken Flavor

• Pound tenderloins uniformly to guarantee even cooking and tender meat that melts in your mouth.
• Swap Pecorino Romano with Parmesan or Asiago for different flavor profiles and personal taste preferences.
• Press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create a crispy, golden crust that locks in moisture and adds incredible crunch.
• Replace homemade sauce with store-bought lemon cream sauce or alfredo for a faster meal preparation without sacrificing delicious flavor.
• Transform remaining chicken into gourmet salad topping or sandwich filling by slicing and storing in an airtight container for up to three days.

Serving Suggestions for Pecorino Chicken

• Serve with Zesty Greens: Pair the crispy chicken with a fresh arugula salad tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette, adding a peppery contrast to the rich, golden tenderloins.
• Complement with Creamy Sides: Plate the chicken alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a smooth parmesan risotto to balance the crunchy breading and enhance the lemony flavor profile.
• Garnish with Bright Accents: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the dish, and add a quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to boost the citrusy notes and provide a vibrant visual pop.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Match this dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which will beautifully echo the lemon's brightness and cut through the richness of the pecorino and cream sauce.

Store Lemon Chicken the Right Way

• Store Smart: Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Safely: Keep the lemon Pecorino chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring optimal taste and texture when properly sealed.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain its crispy breading.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual portions of cooled chicken in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months, labeling with the date to track storage time.

Tangy Lemon Pecorino Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory lemon pecorino chicken delight merges Mediterranean zest with creamy cheese notes. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques create a delicious Italian-inspired dish you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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• 8 (2 oz / 56 g) chicken tenderloins
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ¼ cup milk
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 1 tbsp butter

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Pound chicken tenderloins to an even 0.6-centimeter thickness using a meat mallet for uniform cooking and enhanced tenderness.
2. Breading Setup: Arrange three separate bowls – first with all-purpose flour, second with whisked eggs, third with panko breadcrumbs mixed with lemon zest and Pecorino Romano cheese.
3. Coating Process: Dredge each tenderloin systematically through flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil and butter in a nonstick skillet over medium temperature until mixture shimmers, creating an ideal golden-brown cooking environment.
5. Cooking Execution: Fry breaded tenderloins for 3-4 minutes per side, achieving a crisp exterior while reaching an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
6. Sauce Creation: Sauté minced garlic in olive oil, develop a roux by adding flour, then gradually incorporate milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth, whisking continuously until sauce thickens and bubbles.
7. Finishing Touch: Remove sauce from heat, blend in fresh lemon juice and butter, creating a smooth, velvety consistency that complements the crispy chicken.
8. Serving Presentation: Drizzle luxurious sauce over golden tenderloins, garnishing with additional lemon zest for a vibrant, aromatic final touch.

Notes

• Tenderize with Care: Pound chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and maximum tenderness, preventing dry or uneven meat.
• Breading Technique Matters: Create a layered coating by dredging through flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs to achieve a crispy, flavorful exterior.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat while cooking to prevent burning and ensure golden-brown, perfectly cooked chicken tenderloins.
• Sauce Secrets: Whisk sauce constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that complements the crispy chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 640
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg