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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Pound chicken tenderloins to an even 0.6-centimeter thickness using a meat mallet for uniform cooking and enhanced tenderness.
- 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.
- Coating Process: Dredge each tenderloin systematically through flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Searing Technique: Heat olive oil and butter in a nonstick skillet over medium temperature until mixture shimmers, creating an ideal golden-brown cooking environment.
- Cooking Execution: Fry breaded tenderloins for 3-4 minutes per side, achieving a crisp exterior while reaching an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
- 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.
- Finishing Touch: Remove sauce from heat, blend in fresh lemon juice and butter, creating a smooth, velvety consistency that complements the crispy chicken.
- 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