This Ina Garten Chicken Cutlets recipe is a crispy and golden main dish, which includes Parmesan cheese and seasoned breadcrumbs. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in just 20 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Chicken Cutlets Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 extra-large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 1¼ cups seasoned dry breadcrumbs (or panko)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil and unsalted butter, for frying
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Optional: Arugula or mixed greens salad with vinaigrette
How To Make Ina Garten Chicken Cutlets
- Pound and season the chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to ¼-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station: Fill one shallow bowl with flour. In a second bowl, beat eggs with water. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the cutlets: Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat in breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Press lightly to adhere.
- Fry the cutlets: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Cook chicken in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Add more oil and butter between batches if needed.
- Serve hot: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm with lemon wedges and a green salad, if desired.

Recipe Tips
- Can I use chicken tenders instead? Yes, just reduce the cook time slightly.
- How to keep them crispy: Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches and serve immediately.
- What kind of breadcrumbs work best? Panko gives extra crunch, but seasoned dry breadcrumbs add more flavor.
- Can I prep ahead? You can bread the cutlets a few hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to fry.
- How to reheat leftovers: Reheat in the oven at 375°F to keep them crisp.
What To Serve With Chicken Cutlets
These crisp cutlets go well with fresh and vibrant sides:
- Lemon-dressed arugula or mixed greens
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted asparagus or green beans
- Pasta tossed with olive oil and herbs
- Tomato salad or bruschetta
How To Store Chicken Cutlets
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Use a 375°F oven or toaster oven for best texture.
Freeze: Freeze cooked cutlets between layers of parchment for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen.
Chicken Cutlets Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~350 kcal per cutlet (without sides)
- Protein: ~32g
- Carbs: ~20g
- Fat: ~18g
- Sodium: ~600mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on portion size and ingredients used.
FAQs
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 400°F on a wire rack-lined baking sheet for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
What’s the best oil for frying?
Use olive oil or a neutral oil like avocado oil.
Can I add herbs to the breadcrumbs?
Absolutely—try dried oregano, basil, or thyme.
How thin should I pound the chicken?
About ¼ inch thick ensures even cooking and tenderness.
Try More Recipes:
- Barefoot Contessa Pasta Fagioli Recipe
- Ina Garten Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Ina Garten Couscous With Pine Nuts Recipe
Ina Garten Chicken Cutlets Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutes350
kcalCrispy, golden chicken cutlets with Parmesan and breadcrumbs—perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-
Salt and pepper
-
1 cup all-purpose flour
-
2 extra-large eggs + 1 tbsp water
-
1¼ cups seasoned breadcrumbs or panko
-
½ cup grated Parmesan
-
Olive oil & butter for frying
-
Lemon wedges (for serving)
-
Optional: salad greens with vinaigrette
Directions
- Pound chicken to ¼-inch thickness and season.
- Set up breading station: flour, egg wash, breadcrumb-Parmesan mix.
- Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, coat with breadcrumbs.
- Fry in olive oil and butter, 3–4 mins per side.
- Serve hot with lemon and salad, if desired.
