Go Back
A detailed eye-level photograph of a sliced piece of Pecorino crusted chicken, revealing the juicy interior and the thick, crispy exterior.

Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken (The Ultimate Weeknight Recipe)

This Lemon Pecorino Crispy Chicken features tender chicken with a golden, crunchy crust of Panko, zesty lemon, and salty Pecorino cheese. An easy, elegant, and crowd-pleasing dinner ready in under an hour, perfect for any weeknight.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts thinly sliced or pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese freshly grated
  • 1 lemon zest and juice separated
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for frying

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 3 Shallow Dishes For dredging.
  • 1 Wire Rack

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Arrange three shallow dishes. In the first, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, mix the Panko, grated Pecorino, lemon zest, garlic powder, and parsley.
  3. Dredge one chicken breast in the flour, then dip in the egg wash, and finally press firmly into the Panko-Pecorino mixture to coat completely.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
  5. Transfer the chicken to a wire rack for a few minutes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving.

Notes

For the crispiest results, make sure the oil is hot before adding the chicken and do not overcrowd the pan.
Reheat leftovers in an oven or air fryer at 400°F (200°C) to restore crispiness.