Crispy Parmesan Chicken Cutlets with Kids' Popcorn Chicken
This delicious dual-purpose recipe brings together succulent Parmesan Chicken Cutlets with a delightful Lemon Caper Sauce for the adults, while offering crunchy Popcorn Chicken bites for the little ones. Shared from 'Just One Bite' on Food Network Canada, this dish merges elegance with playfulness. The chicken cutlets, tenderized and breaded with a crispy wholewheat and Parmesan coating, are perfect for serving at dinner parties or family gatherings. The accompanying Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce makes the popcorn chicken irresistible for kids, guaranteeing a meal that satisfies both grown-ups and youngsters. Enjoy a versatile dinner that ensures there’s something for everyone at the table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
4 (Pounded for adults, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces for kids)
Buttermilk
1 cup (For marinating)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (For cooking)
Wholewheat breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups (For coating)
Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup (For coating)
Paprika
1/2 teaspoon (For coating)
Dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon (For coating)
Salt
1 pinch (To taste)
Fresh ground pepper
1 pinch (To taste)
Chicken stock
1/2 cup (For sauce)
Capers
1 tablespoon (For sauce)
Garlic clove, minced
1 (For sauce)
Lemon zest, grated
1 teaspoon (For sauce)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (For sauce)
Butter
2 tablespoons (For sauce)
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup (For dipping sauce)
Honey Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (For dipping sauce)
Lemon juice
1 teaspoon (For dipping sauce)
Instructions
1
For the adults: Begin by gently pounding two boneless, skinless chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper with the flat side of a mallet or a rolling pin until they reach about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick.
2
For the kids: Cut the remaining two chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1 1/2 inches (3.5 cm) long and 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick.
3
Place all the chicken pieces into a large mixing bowl and cover them with buttermilk. For best results, marinate in the refrigerator overnight. If you're short on time, a brief dip in buttermilk right before coating will suffice.
4
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
5
Prepare the coating by combining breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, paprika, dry mustard, salt, and fresh ground pepper in a shallow dish.
6
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then toss each piece in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Transfer the coated chicken to the prepared baking sheet, placing them evenly apart, and allow the coating to set for about 10 minutes.
7
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken cutlets for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Once browned, transfer them back to the baking sheet.
8
Bake both the chicken cutlets and the popcorn chicken in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. For even cooking, turn the popcorn chicken pieces halfway through the baking time.
9
To prepare the Quick Lemon Caper Sauce, pour the chicken stock into a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and minced garlic, allowing the mixture to simmer for about 1 minute.
10
Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter, mixing until the sauce slightly thickens, around 1 minute. Drizzle this delicious sauce over the adults' chicken cutlets before serving.
11
For the Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce, simply mix mayonnaise, honey Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Serve this delightful dipping sauce alongside the popcorn chicken for the kids.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main feature of this recipe?
This is a dual-purpose recipe that creates Parmesan Chicken Cutlets with Lemon Caper Sauce for adults and crunchy Popcorn Chicken for children.
How many chicken breasts are required?
The recipe calls for 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
What is used to marinate the chicken?
The chicken pieces are marinated in 1 cup of buttermilk.
How long should the chicken marinate?
For the best results, it is recommended to marinate the chicken in the refrigerator overnight.
Can I marinate the chicken if I am short on time?
Yes, a brief dip in buttermilk right before coating will suffice if you do not have time for an overnight soak.
How thin should the adult chicken cutlets be pounded?
The cutlets should be pounded until they reach about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thickness.
What size should the popcorn chicken pieces be?
The popcorn chicken should be cut into bite-sized pieces approximately 1 1/2 inches long and 1/4 inch thick.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
What ingredients make up the crispy coating?
The coating consists of wholewheat breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, paprika, dry mustard, salt, and fresh ground pepper.
How long should the coated chicken set before cooking?
The chicken should sit on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes to allow the coating to set.
Do the chicken cutlets need to be pan-fried?
Yes, the adult cutlets are cooked in a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown before baking.
How much oil is used for searing the chicken?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used in the skillet.
How long is the total baking time?
The chicken bakes in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Should the popcorn chicken be turned during baking?
Yes, the popcorn chicken should be turned halfway through the baking time for even cooking.
What sauce is served with the adult chicken cutlets?
A Quick Lemon Caper Sauce is served with the adult portion.
What ingredients are in the Lemon Caper Sauce?
The sauce includes chicken stock, capers, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter.
What dipping sauce is provided for the popcorn chicken?
A Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce is served with the kids' popcorn chicken.
How do you make the Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce?
Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Is the breadcrumb coating wholewheat?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 1/2 cups of wholewheat breadcrumbs.
How much Parmesan cheese is used in the coating?
The coating uses 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What kind of mustard is used in the breading mixture?
The dry coating uses 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard.
What is the source of this recipe?
This recipe is shared from 'Just One Bite' on Food Network Canada.
How much garlic is needed for the lemon sauce?
One minced garlic clove is required for the sauce.
How much butter is used in the lemon caper sauce?
Two tablespoons of butter are stirred into the sauce.
What is used to pound the chicken cutlets?
You can use the flat side of a mallet or a rolling pin.
Does the recipe include paprika?
Yes, it includes 1/2 teaspoon of paprika in the coating.
What type of skillet is recommended?
A large nonstick skillet is recommended for cooking the chicken and the sauce.
How much lemon juice is used in the main sauce?
The lemon caper sauce uses 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
What type of chicken stock is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chicken stock for the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is designed to satisfy both adults and children, making it perfect for family meals.