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– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 large eggs
– 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (you can use panko or homemade breadcrumbs)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
– Vegetable oil, for frying
– Lemon wedges, for serving
– Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
1. **Prepare the Chicken:**
– Place a chicken breast on a cutting board and cover it with a piece of plastic wrap. Pound the chicken breast using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
2. **Set up Breading Stations:**
– In three separate shallow dishes, set up your breading stations. Place flour seasoned with salt and pepper in the first dish. Beat the eggs in the second dish. In the third dish, combine the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
3. **Coat the Chicken:**
– Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
4. **Heat the Oil:**
– In a large skillet, heat enough vegetable oil over medium-high heat to shallow fry the chicken. The oil should be hot enough that when you drop a breadcrumb in, it sizzles immediately, but not so hot that it burns the schnitzel.
5. **Fry the Schnitzel:**
– Carefully place the breaded chicken breasts in the hot oil, cooking 2 at a time if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each schnitzel for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Remove the schnitzels from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6. **Serve:**
– Transfer the cooked schnitzels to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the schnitzels. Accompany with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, salad, or vegetables.
7. **Enjoy!**
– Serve your delicious chicken schnitzel immediately while it’s hot and crispy. Enjoy the crunchy exterior and juicy interior of this classic dish!
Enjoy your delicious homemade chicken schnitzel!