Lemon Chicken Romano is a mouthwatering dish that combines the tanginess of lemon, the creaminess of provolone and mozzarella cheeses, and the crunchiness of panko breadcrumbs. The Romano cheese and fresh oregano elevate the savory profile, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. It's an ideal recipe for a special dinner or to add a little bit of zest to your weeknight meals.
Photos of Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
Most of the ingredients for this Lemon Chicken Romano recipe are likely to be already in your pantry. However, provolone and romano cheese may not be commonly found in every kitchen, so make sure to add them to your shopping list. And if you don't have panko breadcrumbs, these are a must for achieving the essential crispiness of this dish.
Key Ingredients for Lemon Chicken Romano
Chicken breasts: The main component of the dish, providing a lean, healthy source of protein.
Mozzarella cheese: This type of cheese adds a delicious creamy texture and flavor.
Provolone cheese: A semi-hard cheese that gives the dish a smoky, tangy flavor.
Egg: Helps the breadcrumb coating adhere to the chicken.
Flour: Helps to create a crispy coating for the chicken.
Panko bread crumbs: Japanese-style breadcrumbs that provide a light, crispy coating.
Romano cheese: A hard, salty Italian cheese, typically used for grating over dishes.
Fresh oregano: Adds a warm, balsamic and aromatic flavor to the dish.
Lemon zest: Provides a tangy flavor that complements the chicken and cheese beautifully.
Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Olive oil: Used for frying the chicken, adding a subtle richness to the dish.
Lemon wedges: Used for spritzing over each serving for added brightness.
Fresh parsley: Used for garnishing and adding a pop of color to the dish.
One reader, Isa Washington says:
This lemon chicken romano recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are perfectly balanced, and the chicken comes out so tender and juicy. The crispy coating and cheesy topping make it absolutely irresistible. I highly recommend trying this recipe - it's a guaranteed hit!
Essential Techniques for Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
How to dredge the chicken: The chicken cutlets should be coated with the egg mixture and then immediately transferred to the romano mixture, pressing to allow plenty of crumbs to adhere.
How to fry the chicken: The coated chicken cutlets should be fried in olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until crispy and golden brown on both sides.
How to bake the chicken: After frying, the chicken should be transferred to a baking sheet, topped with a mixture of mozzarella and provolone cheese, and then baked in a preheated oven until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
How to serve: The lemon chicken romano should be served warm with lemon wedges for spritzing over each serving.
How To Make Lemon Chicken Romano
Chicken Romano is a dish of chicken cutlets coated in a crispy Romano cheese breading. This recipe has zesty notes from the lemon & a melted cheese topping.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 18ozchicken breasts,boneless, skinless, halved through their thickness, and pounded to ½-inch thick
- ½cupwhole milk mozzarella cheese,shredded
- ½cupprovolone cheese,shredded, or more mozzarella
- 1largeegg
- 1tbspall-purpose flour
- ¾cuppanko bread crumbs
- ⅓cupromano cheese,packed, finely shredded
- 1tbspfresh oregano,minced, plus 1 more tsp for garnish
- 2tsplemon zest,(from about 1 lemon)
- ½tspgarlic powder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓cupolive oil
- 4lemon wedges
- 2tspfresh parsley,minced, optional
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle each side of the chicken cutlet lightly with salt and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.
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In a shallow dish, whisk together flour and egg until smooth. In a separate shallow dish, toss together Panko bread crumbs, Romano cheese, oregano, lemon zest, garlic powder and ¾ teaspoon pepper.
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Pat chicken dry with paper towels then working with 1 chicken cutlet at a time, dredge chicken in egg mixture coating both sides and allowing excess to run off, then immediately transfer to Romano mixture and coat both sides with mixture, while pressing to allow plenty of crumbs to adhere.
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Transfer chicken to a plate and repeat process with remaining chicken cutlets. Pour olive oil into a 10-inch non-stick skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
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Once oil is shimmering, add 2 coated chicken cutlets and fry without moving them for about 2 minutes, until bottom is crispy and golden brown, then using metal tongs rotate to opposite side and cook for 2 more minutes until golden brown.
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Transfer chicken to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or spritzed with non-stick cooking spray, and repeat process with the remaining pieces of chicken.
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Toss together Mozzarella and Provolone cheese and sprinkle in a mound over chicken
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Transfer to preheated oven to bake for about 8 to 10 minutes until internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
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Remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon oregano and the parsley if using and serve warm with lemon wedges for spritzing over each serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 654.50kcal
- Fat: 46.82g
- Saturated Fat: 16.05g
- Trans Fat: 0.14g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 22.84g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.11g
- Carbohydrates: 13.12g
- Fiber: 1.27g
- Sugar: 1.18g
- Protein: 44.49g
- Cholesterol: 179.88mg
- Sodium: 648.53mg
- Calcium: 491.08mg
- Potassium: 395.18mg
- Iron: 2.17mg
- Vitamin A: 167.68µg
- Vitamin C: 5.85mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
When frying the chicken cutlets, it's important not to move them around too much in the pan. This allows the panko bread crumbs and romano cheese coating to form a crispy, golden crust. Moving the chicken too much can cause the coating to fall off. Also, using a non-stick skillet can make a big difference in preventing the crust from sticking to the pan.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Lemon Chicken Romano
Prep ahead: Prepare the breading mixture and cheese blend in advance to cut down on prep time when making the lemon chicken romano.
Use thin chicken cutlets: Opt for thin chicken cutlets to reduce cooking time and ensure even cooking throughout.
Double up: Make a double batch of the lemon chicken romano and freeze the extra for a quick and convenient meal option on busy days.
Organize your workspace: Set up a well-organized workspace with all ingredients and tools within reach to streamline the cooking process.
Invest in quality tools: Invest in quality kitchen tools such as a sharp chef's knife and non-stick skillet to make cooking more efficient and enjoyable.
Substitute Ingredients For Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts can be used as a lean and flavorful alternative to chicken breasts, providing a similar texture and taste in the dish.
whole milk mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella to add a slightly sharper flavor and a creamier texture to the dish.
provolone cheese - Substitute with fontina cheese: Fontina cheese can be used as a substitute for provolone to provide a rich and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a gluten-free alternative to all-purpose flour for coating the chicken, providing a crispy texture when fried.
panko bread crumbs - Substitute with regular bread crumbs: Regular bread crumbs can be used as a substitute for panko to provide a similar crunchy coating for the chicken.
romano cheese - Substitute with parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese can be used as a substitute for romano to add a rich and savory flavor to the dish.
fresh oregano - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano can be used as a substitute for fresh oregano, providing a more concentrated flavor to the dish.
lemon zest - Substitute with lime zest: Lime zest can be used as a substitute for lemon zest to add a slightly different citrus flavor to the dish.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil, providing a mild flavor and high smoke point for cooking the chicken.
lemon wedges - Substitute with lime wedges: Lime wedges can be used as a substitute for lemon wedges to provide a tangy citrus garnish for the dish.
fresh parsley - Substitute with fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro can be used as a substitute for parsley to add a bright and herbaceous flavor to the dish.
How to Beautifully Present Lemon Chicken Romano
Elevate the chicken: Carefully stack the chicken cutlets on the plate, ensuring they are positioned neatly and attractively.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly chopped parsley over the chicken to add a pop of color and freshness.
Artful lemon wedges: Arrange the lemon wedges in a visually appealing manner around the chicken, ensuring they are evenly distributed for a balanced presentation.
Incorporate a touch of elegance: Consider adding a drizzle of high-quality olive oil around the plate for a sophisticated touch.
Use a minimalist approach: Embrace simplicity by avoiding overcrowding the plate, allowing the dish to speak for itself.
Attention to detail: Wipe any excess sauce or crumbs from the edges of the plate for a clean and professional presentation.
Balance and symmetry: Ensure that the components are arranged in a balanced and symmetrical manner, creating a visually pleasing presentation.
Plate with precision: Pay close attention to the placement of each element, ensuring that the dish is presented with precision and care.
Emphasize the Romano cheese: Sprinkle a light dusting of additional Romano cheese over the top of the chicken for an added layer of flavor and visual appeal.
Consider the plate as a canvas: Approach plating as an art form, using the plate as a canvas to create a visually stunning presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for various tasks such as chopping, pureeing, and mixing ingredients.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is an essential kitchen tool used for combining ingredients and mixing batters or doughs.
Skillet: A skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods.
Baking sheet: A baking sheet is a flat, rectangular metal pan used for baking and roasting foods in the oven.
Non-stick cooking spray: Non-stick cooking spray is used to prevent food from sticking to cooking surfaces, such as pans and baking sheets.
Instant-read thermometer: An instant-read thermometer is used to quickly and accurately measure the internal temperature of foods, ensuring they are cooked to the proper temperature.
Metal tongs: Metal tongs are kitchen utensils with two arms and a pivot at the top, used for gripping and lifting hot or delicate foods.
Parchment paper: Parchment paper is a non-stick paper used for lining baking sheets and pans to prevent food from sticking and make cleanup easier.
Whisk: A whisk is a kitchen tool used for blending, whipping, and beating ingredients, such as eggs, sauces, and batters.
Rimmed baking sheet: A rimmed baking sheet is a baking pan with raised edges, used for baking and roasting foods to prevent juices and liquids from spilling over.
Oven: An oven is a kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and heating food by surrounding it with dry heat.
Storing and Freezing Lemon Chicken Romano
- To store leftover lemon chicken romano, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- When ready to reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the lemon chicken romano. Wrap each piece of chicken individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat frozen lemon chicken romano, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the frozen chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Note: You may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if reheating from frozen.
- Alternatively, you can thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven. This will reduce the reheating time to 10-15 minutes.
- When storing or freezing, make sure the lemon chicken romano has cooled completely to prevent condensation from forming, which can lead to soggy breading.
How To Reheat Lemon Chicken Romano Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover lemon chicken romano on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Cover the chicken loosely with another piece of foil to prevent it from drying out. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
For a quicker reheating method, use the microwave. Place the leftover chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. This will help keep the chicken moist during the reheating process. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the chicken to become rubbery.
If you want to restore some of the crispiness to the panko bread crumb coating, you can reheat the chicken in a skillet. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the coating is crispy and the chicken is heated through.
For a flavorful twist, slice the leftover lemon chicken romano and use it as a topping for a salad or pasta dish. The cold chicken will add a refreshing element to the dish, and the lemon zest and romano cheese will provide a burst of flavor.
If you have a lot of leftover chicken, consider shredding it and using it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. Mix the shredded chicken with some mayonnaise, chopped celery, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a delicious and easy lunch option.
Interesting Fact About Lemon Chicken Romano
The Lemon Chicken Romano recipe is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the tangy taste of lemon with the richness of Romano cheese. It's a perfect balance of savory and citrus flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This dish is a great source of protein and can be served with a side of vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy this delightful lemon chicken romano recipe with your family and friends for a delightful dining experience.
Is Making Lemon Chicken Romano at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this lemon chicken romano recipe largely depends on the availability and prices of the ingredients. The use of common pantry staples and readily available chicken breasts makes it relatively affordable. The addition of mozzarella and provolone cheese may increase the cost, but the dish can still be considered cost-effective. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $20-$25. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is Lemon Chicken Romano Healthy or Unhealthy?
The lemon chicken romano recipe is a delicious dish, but it does have some elements that make it less healthy. The use of whole milk mozzarella and provolone cheeses adds significant amounts of saturated fat and calories to the dish. Additionally, the breading process with flour, egg, and panko bread crumbs increases the carbohydrate content and overall calorie count. Frying the chicken in olive oil also adds extra fat and calories.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use low-fat or part-skim mozzarella and provolone cheeses to reduce the saturated fat content
- Replace the all-purpose flour with a whole wheat or almond flour for added fiber and nutrients
- Opt for a healthier breading technique, such as oven-baking the chicken instead of frying it in oil
- Reduce the amount of oil used in the recipe or use a healthier alternative like avocado oil
- Increase the amount of herbs and spices, such as oregano and garlic powder, to enhance flavor without adding extra calories
- Serve the chicken with a side of fresh vegetables or a salad to balance out the meal and add more nutrients
Editor's Opinion on the Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
The Lemon Chicken Romano recipe is a delightful combination of crispy, flavorful chicken and zesty lemon. The blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Romano cheese adds a rich and creamy texture, while the hint of oregano and lemon zest infuses the dish with a refreshing aroma. The cooking method ensures a perfect golden brown crust on the chicken, and the finishing touch of parsley and lemon wedges adds a burst of freshness. This dish is a perfect balance of savory and citrus flavors, making it a delightful addition to any meal.
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Why trust this Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe:
This lemon chicken romano recipe is a trusted classic, perfected through years of culinary expertise. The combination of mozzarella and provolone cheese creates a rich and creamy texture, while the addition of romano cheese adds a depth of flavor. The use of fresh oregano and lemon zest infuses the dish with vibrant, aromatic notes. The cooking process ensures a crispy, golden brown exterior, while the olive oil and lemon wedges contribute to a delightful tangy finish. This recipe guarantees a restaurant-quality dish that will surely impress your guests.
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