Pan-Fried Chicken Cutlets

Let's Cook

1. Step 1.

   Have ready: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)

2. Step 2.

   Trim any fat around the edges. Butterfly each breast by holding the knife parallel to the work surface and slicing lengthwise through the thicker side. Continue slicing through the breast, stopping ½ inch from the opposite side to form a hinge. Open each breast like a book and flatten it with your hand. Place a butterflied breast between sheets of wax paper and pound with a mallet or rolling pin to flatten to ¼ to ½ inch thick. If the breasts seem too large for the pan once they have been pounded, cut them in half.

3. Step 3.

   Season with: 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper

4. Step 4.

   Spread on a plate: ½ cup flour

5. Step 5.

   Preheat the oven to 200°F. Heat in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat: 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

6. Step 6.

   Working in batches, coat the cutlets with the flour, shake off the excess, and cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes each side, adding more oil between batches if the skillet looks dry. As they finish cooking, transfer the cutlets to a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels and keep warm in the oven. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

7. Step 7.

   CHICKEN MILANESE

8. Step 8.

   Butterfly and pound chicken breasts as for version I. Combine in a wide shallow bowl: 1 ½ cups dry bread crumbs; (¼ to ½ cup grated Parmesan [1 to 2 ounces]); (1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano, crumbled); 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper

9. Step 9.

   Whisk together in a shallow bowl: 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon water

10. Step 10.

    Spread on a plate: ½ cup flour

11. Step 11.

    Coat the chicken with the flour and shake off the excess. Dip in the egg mixture, then coat with the bread crumb mixture, patting with your fingers to make the crumbs adhere. Set aside on a plate. Preheat the oven to 200°F.

12. Step 12.

    Pan-fry the cutlets as directed in version I, using: ⅓ cup vegetable oil

13. Step 13.

    CHICKEN KATSU

14. Step 14.

    These Japanese-style cutlets have an appealing golden-brown panko crust. To make this with the traditional pork, butterfly and pound the pork as directed in Breaded Pork Chops or Cutlets and substitute for the chicken in this recipe.

15. Step 15.

    Butterfly, pound, season, and flour chicken breasts as for version I.

16. Step 16.

    Whisk together in a shallow bowl: 2 eggs; 1 tablespoon water

17. Step 17.

    Add to a second bowl: 1 cup panko bread crumbs

18. Step 18.

    Dip the floured chicken in the egg, then coat with the panko. Place on a plate. Preheat the oven to 200°F.

19. Step 19.

    Pan-fry the cutlets as directed in version I, using: ⅓ cup vegetable oil

20. Step 20.

    Serve with: Katsu Sauce