Description
Lemon Pecorino Crusted Chicken with Creamy Lemon Sauce is an exquisite dish that elevates standard chicken with a crispy, cheesy crust and a refreshing, indulgent creamy lemon sauce. It’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated Pecorino cheese, lemon zest, and additional salt and pepper.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in the beaten eggs, and then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the breaded chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce: heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the chicken from the oven, plate each piece, and drizzle with the creamy lemon sauce.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- A meat thermometer is recommended to ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly.
- Leftover sauce can be used as a salad dressing or vegetable dip.
- A crisp white wine pairs well with this dish.
- Variations include adding herbs to the crust, using Parmesan cheese instead of Pecorino, adding red pepper flakes for heat, using yogurt for a lighter sauce, or substituting chicken thighs.
- Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken breast)
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: N/A