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Homemade Lemon Chicken Romano photo

Lemon Chicken Romano

Crispy breaded chicken cutlets flavored with lemon, oregano, and Romano, finished with melted mozzarella and provolone.
Prep Time 18 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (8–9 oz each), halved and pounded to 1/2-inch
  • 1/2 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese (about 2 oz)
  • 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese (about 2 oz; can use more mozzarella if desired)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup finely shredded Romano cheese (packed, about 1.25 oz)
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh oregano plus 1 tsp reserved for garnish
  • 2 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 4 lemon wedges for spritzing each serving (can use zested lemon)
  • 2 tsp minced fresh parsley (optional)

Equipment

  • Cutting Board
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Three shallow dishes
  • 10-inch nonstick skillet
  • Tongs
  • Rimmed Baking Sheet
  • parchment paper or nonstick spray
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly sprinkle both sides of each chicken cutlet with salt and let them rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk the egg and flour together until smooth.
  3. In a separate shallow dish, combine the Panko, Romano cheese, 1 Tbsp minced oregano, lemon zest, garlic powder, and 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper; toss to mix evenly.
  4. Pat the chicken dry. Working one cutlet at a time, dredge in the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then press both sides into the Romano-Panko mixture until well coated. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining cutlets.
  5. Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  6. Add two coated cutlets to the skillet and fry without moving until the bottom is golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden, about 2 more minutes. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment or sprayed with nonstick spray. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
  7. Combine the mozzarella and provolone, then mound the cheese mixture evenly over the top of each fried cutlet.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 8–10 minutes.
  9. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp minced oregano and optional parsley, and serve warm with lemon wedges for spritzing.

Notes

  • Use the zested lemon as a wedge to squeeze over the finished chicken.
  • Pound the chicken evenly to 1/2-inch for consistent cooking.
  • Press crumbs firmly so the coating adheres well.
  • Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.