Description
Crispy lemon pecorino crusted chicken brings Mediterranean zest to weeknight dinners. Herbed breadcrumbs and tangy cheese create a golden, irresistible coating you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams total)
Coating Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare an oven environment at 400°F (200°C) and create a non-stick surface on a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Craft a textural coating by blending flour, Pecorino Romano, aromatic lemon zest, robust garlic powder, seasoning elements, and ground pepper in a shallow vessel.
- Meticulously coat each chicken breast in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring thorough and even coverage by gently pressing the mixture onto the protein.
- Position the herb-encrusted chicken pieces strategically on the prepared baking sheet, allowing adequate spacing between each piece.
- Transfer the baking sheet into the preheated oven and roast for approximately 20-25 minutes until the chicken achieves perfect doneness with a golden, crispy exterior.
- Concurrently, generate a luxurious sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over moderate heat.
- Incorporate flour into the melted butter, whisking consistently to create a smooth roux and eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually introduce chicken broth, whisking continuously to develop a silky, lump-free consistency.
- Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring attentively until the sauce reaches a desirable thickened state.
- Enrich the sauce with heavy cream, tangy lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, and complementary seasoning elements.
- Reduce heat and let the sauce gently simmer, developing deeper flavors and achieving a velvety texture.
- Once the chicken emerges golden and crisp, lovingly drench the pieces with the creamy lemon sauce.
- Present the dish immediately to preserve its optimal temperature and textural integrity.
Notes
- Customize the crust by experimenting with different hard cheeses like Parmesan or Asiago for varied flavor profiles.
- Use gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring the same crispy texture.
- Pat chicken breasts dry before coating to help the flour mixture adhere more effectively and create a crispier crust.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg