Schnitzel is an iconic dish that critically deserves a spot in your plate, not simply throughout Oktoberfest, however any time you’re craving consolation meals with a crispy twist! This recipe for Hen Schnitzel is every little thing I would like: golden and crunchy on the surface, juicy and tender on the within, and so flavorful I discovered myself going again for seconds. It’s additionally made with easy, on a regular basis components you most likely have already got in your kitchen! I already know this crispy hen schnitzel goes to win you (and your loved ones!) over the identical manner it did me.

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Straightforward Fried Hen Schnitzel
Whereas schnitzel is tremendous standard in Germany and Austria, there are variations nearly in every single place on the earth. However regardless of the place you’re consuming it, the concept is normally the identical. Skinny cutlets (many variations use pork or veal, although I really like utilizing hen) are breaded and fried till golden and crisp. This recipe really begins out quite a bit like our hen Parmesan recipe because you pound the hen skinny and bread it utilizing a easy mixture of seasonings, flour, an egg wash, and Panko breadcrumbs. Nonetheless, as an alternative of topping it with sauce and cheese, I end it with a squeeze of contemporary lemon.
Frying the hen would possibly sound like a giant deal for those who’ve by no means achieved it earlier than, however with this recipe, it’s fully beginner-friendly. In the event you’ve acquired some oil and a heavy-bottomed skillet, you may make hen schnitzel!!
If you wish to save just a little extra cash, you’ll be able to omit the Parmesan cheese. Simply be sure so as to add additional panko breadcrumbs (about ½ cup extra) for breading the hen!
Be sure that to pound out the hen to ¼-inch thickness. This promotes even cooking and helps make sure the panko doesn’t burn earlier than the hen reaches the protected inside temperature of 165°F.
Be happy so as to add further seasonings to the flour or egg wash. I feel onion powder, dried thyme, or dried oregano could be nice additions!
Use a heavy-bottomed skillet to fry your do-it-yourself hen schnitzel (or any recipe that requires shallow frying for that matter!). The thicker base holds warmth extra evenly and helps the oil to remain at a gradual temperature.
Maintain the oil temperature round 350°F whereas frying. If it’s too sizzling, the crust can burn earlier than the hen cooks by way of, and if it’s too cool, the breading can get soggy. An on the spot learn thermometer is one of the best ways to verify! However for those who don’t have one, dip the top of a picket spoon into the oil; if regular bubbles type across the wooden, the oil is probably going sizzling sufficient. Nonetheless, utilizing a thermometer provides you with probably the most dependable outcomes!
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when frying. I used to be solely in a position to fry one piece of hen at a time. Overcrowding may cause the oil temperature to drop, which suggests the coating received’t crisp up correctly, and the hen can end up greasy as an alternative of golden and crunchy.
Hen Schnitzel

Collect and put together all components.
Take every hen breast and reduce it evenly down the center, lengthwise. Place every cutlet right into a ziplock bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Then, with a meat tenderizer mallet or rolling pin, gently pound each bit to ¼-inch thickness. Season them with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper and set them apart.
Seize 3 medium bowls or shallow dishes. Within the first bowl, mix the flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Within the second bowl, whisk collectively the egg, water, garlic powder, and parsley. Within the third bowl, combine the panko and grated Parmesan.
To bread the hen, coat each bit in flour, shake off any extra, and switch it to the egg bowl. Coat it within the egg wash, letting any additional drip off, then switch to the panko. Coat it in panko, urgent it to make sure the hen is absolutely coated. Then place all of the breaded hen onto a sheet pan.
As soon as all of the hen has been breaded, warmth the oil in a skillet to 350°F-375°F over medium warmth. As soon as the oil is sizzling, rigorously place one piece of breaded hen into the oil. Don’t overcrowd the skillet, and work in batches.
Fry the hen undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, till golden brown. Utilizing tongs, gently flip and proceed cooking for 2-3 minutes, till the interior temperature reaches 165°F.
As soon as the hen is completed, place it on paper towels to empty. Be sure that to keep up the oil temperature at 350°F and proceed frying till all of the items are achieved cooking. Serve with a squeeze of contemporary lemon and revel in.
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**I just like the added crunch that Panko provides you, however you may as well use common breadcrumbs or do-it-yourself breadcrumbs!
***I take advantage of vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil when frying as a result of they’ve a excessive smoke level, and might attain 350°F simply with out burning the oil.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 470kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 35gFats: 23gSodium: 1101mgFiber: 1g
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the right way to make Hen Schnitzel step-by-step pictures

Collect your entire components.

Prep the hen: Evenly slice down the center (lengthwise) of two giant hen breasts to create 4 separate cutlets.

Place every cutlet right into a ziplock bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Utilizing a meat tenderizer mallet or a rolling pin, gently pound each bit to ¼-inch thickness all the way in which throughout.

Season the pounded hen with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper (complete) and set them apart for now.

Make the breading station: Collect 3 medium bowls or shallow dishes. Add ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper to the primary bowl and mix. Within the second bowl, whisk collectively 2 eggs, 1 Tbsp water, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp dried parsley. Lastly, mix 1¼ cup panko breadcrumbs and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese within the third bowl.

Bread the hen: Dip every cutlet into the flour combination on either side and shake off any extra. Then dip it into the egg wash, letting any additional drip off, and switch to the panko breadcrumb bowl. Coat the hen in panko on either side, urgent it to verify the hen is absolutely coated. As soon as breaded, place all of the hen onto a sheet pan.

Prepare dinner the hen: Now warmth 2 cups of vegetable oil in a skillet to 350°F-375°F over medium warmth (use an instant-read thermometer to verify the temperature). When the oil is the right temperature, rigorously place one hen into the recent oil. Work in batches right here! Don’t overcrowd the skillet.
Fry the hen undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, till golden brown. Utilizing tongs, gently flip and proceed cooking for 2-3 minutes, till the interior temperature reaches 165°F.

Drain the hen: When it’s achieved, place the hen onto a paper towel-lined plate to empty any extra oil. Be sure that to keep up the oil temperature at 350°F and proceed frying till all of the items are achieved cooking. Serve your do-it-yourself hen schnitzel with contemporary lemon and revel in!

Serving Recommendations
In the event you’re leaning into the Oktoberfest theme this 12 months, I’d serve this crispy hen schnitzel with one thing traditional like spaetzle or a hearty German potato salad! However this recipe can be a scrumptious midweek choice (children LOVE it!). Mashed potatoes with inexperienced beans make it a brilliant filling household meal, or you’ll be able to hold it lighter with a inexperienced salad and sauerkraut. Air fryer French fries and a aspect of apple slaw is one other combo I attain for after I need one thing scrumptious and simple.
Storage & Reheating
As with something fried, I wish to serve hen schnitzel instantly whereas it’s sizzling and crispy. In the event you do have leftovers, allow them to cool and retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days. To carry again the crunch, I desire reheating within the oven or air fryer at 350°F till heated by way of (flip them after 5-10 minutes so either side can crisp up). You can too freeze schnitzel for as much as 3 months. Thaw it within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating for the most effective outcomes.