Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (2024)

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This chicken schnitzel recipe is a traditional German dish that is pounded thin with a meat tenderizer and is coated with breadcrumbs and then lightly fried. There isn't much better or easier than this when it comes to chicken.

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (1)

You can't have enough chicken dishes - from chicken francese to chicken with white wine sauce to chicken paprikash.

But I thought today was about exploring my roots a little bit. My dad's side of the family is German if the last name Beck didn't give it away. No I'm not related to Beck's Beer sadly. Who knows, maybe I'll randomly start seeing some checks from them some day. And while my distant relatives hail from Germany, I have never actually been.

But I feel most cities this days have an authentic German restaurant. For me it was Hollerbach's in Sanford. My memories of Hollerbach's consist of live music, lots of dancing, beer and schnitzel. Now I was too young for the beer and didn't care for the dancing but I remember loving the schnitzel.

Schnitzel is usually either chicken, pork or veal that is pounded very thin. I either would order the pork or chicken and always loved it. In fact, I don't think I ever ordered anything else besides schnitzel from Hollerbach's. Since I don't live close by anymore, I thought I'd make my own version of a German chicken schnitzel recipe.

Thankfully, it tasted exactly how I remembered. It really is a super simple dish. So if you're like me and crave some German chicken schnitzel, this recipe is for you.

Jump to:
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • Ingredient Swaps
  • Step-by-Step Photos
  • FAQs
  • Side Dish Options
  • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
  • Other Chicken Recipes
  • Chicken Schnitzel
Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (2)

Recipe Ingredients

  • Chicken - you want thin chicken so you can get chicken cutlets or take chicken breasts and pound them thin.
  • Eggs - important in helping the breadcrumbs bind which creates that crispy exterior.
  • Breadcrumbs - I like to take some slices of bread and make my own breadcrumb mixture.
  • Lemon - just a touch of acidity makes all the difference in enhancing the flavor of this chicken schnitzel recipe.

Ingredient Swaps

Like any recipe you can mix up some of the ingredients. Some variations include:

  • I like to use chicken breasts and pound them thin, but you can use chicken thighs as well. Or even another protein like veal.
  • I like to take the time to make breadcrumbs but you can use store-bought, regular or panko.
  • I use canola oil to cook the chicken but vegetable oil, butter or even coconut oil works.

Step-by-Step Photos

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (3)

Pound the chicken to ¼" thickness and season with salt and pepper. Then pulse 3 slices of bread in a food processor to make the breadcrumb mixture.

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (4)

Place the flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs in three separate bowls, adding some garlic powder to the breadcrumbs. Dip the chicken in the flour and then the eggs.

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (5)

Finally dip in the breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Cook the chicken in a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through.

FAQs

What is Schnitzel?

Schnitzel is meat that is pounded thin and tenderized and then is coated with breadcrumbs and lightly fried. You typically squeeze some fresh lemon over it as well.

Do I Have to Use Chicken?

Traditional, you can make schnitzel with chicken, veal or pork. The recipe is the same except for the meat. While I've never made veal schnitzel, I've made pork from time-to-time and it's outstanding as well.

How Do I Know Chicken is Done?

You know the chicken schnitzel is cooked when it reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer or if you cut into the chicken and the juices run clear and there is no pink. Honestly, I always just cut the chicken to see when it is done. If it isn't just cook slightly longer.

How to Reheat?

Leftovers that tastes as great as the day it was made it important. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Place in 400°F oven for 15 minutes and check if it's crispy. If it isn't yet, pop back in the oven for another 5 minutes.

Side Dish Options

There are plenty of options to pair with this chicken schnitzel recipe. Some include:

  • Potato Latkes
  • Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
  • German Spaetzle
  • Homemade Pierogies
  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Do not skip pounding the chicken. It needs to be pounded to ¼ inch thickness which allows for even and fast cooking so you don't burn the breading or overcook the chicken.
  • Fresh breadcrumbs take 5 seconds extra work, but lead to a quality tasting exterior of the chicken that store-bought can't replicate. However you can use regular or panko breadcrumbs if needed.
  • Leftover chicken schnitzel will store well in the fridge for 1 daybut as is the case with anything pan fried, it's better fresh.
Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (6)

Other Chicken Recipes

  • Breaded Chicken Parmesan
  • Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
  • Chicken Rollatini
  • Chicken Satay Curry

If you’ve tried this chicken schnitzel recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (11)

Print Recipe

4.95 from 20 votes

Chicken Schnitzel

This schnitzel is made with chicken pounded thin and coated with fresh breadcrumbs, then lightly fried.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: German

Servings: 4

Calories: 529kcal

Author: Ryan Beck

Ingredients

  • 4 (6 oz) chicken breasts
  • salt and black pepper
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (pulse 3 slices of bread)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • canola or vegetable oil for frying
  • lemons and chopped parsley for serving

Instructions

  • Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them until they are ¼ inch thick. Lightly season both sides with salt and black pepper.

  • To make breadcrumbs, pulse 3 slices of bread in food processor until you get crumb mixture. You can also use plain breadcrumbs if you don't have fresh bread.

  • Place the flour, egg and breadcrumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls. Add garlic powder to breadcrumbs and mix to combine.

  • Preheat oven to 200°F. Place wiring cooling rack on baking sheet and set aside. Heat ¼ inch oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. While skillet is heating up, dip the chicken in the flour, then the eggs, then the breadcrumbs, coating both sides and all edges at each side. Gently shake off excess breadcrumbs.

  • Cook 2 cutlets at a time until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to wire rack and place in oven while cooking the remaining cutlets. Squeeze fresh lemon juice and top with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Do not skip pounding the chicken. It needs to be pounded to ¼ inch thickness which allows for even and fast cooking so you don't burn the breading or overcook the chicken.
  • Fresh breadcrumbs take 5 seconds extra work, but lead to a quality tasting exterior of the chicken that store-bought can't replicate. However you can use regular or panko breadcrumbs if needed.
  • Add cold oil to a cold skillet and let heat up to proper temperature before adding the chicken. You'll know it is ready when the oil starts to shimmer.
  • You know the chicken is cooked when it reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer or if you cut into the chicken and the juices run clear and there is no pink. Honestly, I always just cut the chicken to see when it is done. If it isn't just cook slightly longer.
  • Leftovers will store well in the fridge for 1 daybut as is the case with anything pan fried, it's better fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 1098mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 4.3mg

Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris says

    Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (12)
    I’ve only had pork but this looks good!

    Reply

  2. TrinaK says

    Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (13)
    I am confused as to why we preheat the oven to 350? I made this recipe, but cooked it using the stovetop. Was it suppose to cook in the oven? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Good catch. That was meant to place the already cooked chicken the oven if you are cooking multiple pieces so it stays warm. I updated it so it made more sense. Hope you liked it!

      Reply

  3. Michelle says

    I was looking for a schnitzel recipe and knew this was the one when I saw your reference to Hollerbach’s! Love that place!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Not much better than Hollerbach's!

      Reply

  4. Peggy says

    Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (14)
    I made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  5. Joan says

    Just had the chicken schnitzel at Hollerbach's this past weekend. It was delicious and now I can make it at home. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  6. Beth says

    Just wondered, do the bread slices need to be stale to make the crumbs? Also, my family enjoys a sauce with schnitzel, (we've had a paprika sauce at our local German restaurant). Do you have a recipe for a nice sauce rather than just lemon? Definitely going to try this!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Bread does not need to be stale. I've used both fresh and stale and either works. And while I don't have a sauce, something like a mustard cream sauce would work great.

      Reply

  7. Beth says

    Ooh, that sounds yummy! Thank you

    Reply

  8. Ket says

    Is there a certain type of bread you use for the breading?

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Most times I use leftover sourdough, but any type will work.

      Reply

  9. Sheryn says

    Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (15)
    Tastes amazing! I used regular crumbs mixed with panko. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you liked it.

      Reply

  10. Tim says

    Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (16)
    Great recipe— I just used pandora and added a little Italian seasoning

    Reply

  11. Lisa says

    Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (17)
    I have been to Germany many times...this recipe is as good as any I have had there (one of our dear friends is a chef in a German restaurant in London)...He tried it and was so impressed..I am making it AGAIN for dinner....all my family and friends love it!

    Reply

    • Ryan says

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Chicken Schnitzel Recipe - A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal - Chisel & Fork (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between breaded chicken and schnitzel? ›

Chicken schnitzel is a breaded chicken filet, so if you get down to the nitty-gritty, they're the same thing. How you serve it, meaning garnishes and accompaniments, is what turns a breaded filet into a schnitzel.

Why is my chicken schnitzel soggy? ›

I've found that seasoning the chicken directly first gives me more flavor. Heat the oil well. The oil needs to be hot enough (it should be shimmering but not smoking) so that the chicken will cook well and crisp up. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and give you soggy, oily schnitzel.

What type of meat is usually used for schnitzel? ›

The dish's name actually comes from the German word schnitt, which translates to "cut." The most popular type of meat for schnitzel is veal (wiener-schnitzel) or pork (schweine-schnitzel), but you also see varieties made with chicken (hänchen-schnitzel), or turkey (puten-schnitzel).

Why does the breading fall off my schnitzel? ›

Make sure the breadcrumbs completely cover the chicken, making a nice, thick coating. Don't forget to gently pat the coating on all sides of the chicken to help it adhere.

Is it better to fry or bake breaded chicken? ›

I admit, fried chicken IS delicious – grease and all. However, cooking them in the oven tastes just as good. Baking them retains the juices and flavors which makes it a healthier and more delicious option. You can even do this with other fried food such as fries.

What is the white stuff coming out of my chicken schnitzel? ›

Chicken is a protein powerhouse, so it shouldn't be surprising that the white stuff coming out of chicken as it cooks is exactly that: protein! According to chicken farmer Paul Greive, founder of Pasturebird, this naturally occurring, water-soluble protein is called albumin. It can also be found in meat, milk and eggs.

Why do you put flour on schnitzel? ›

Once you've flattened all of the cutlets, bread them. This is best done assembly-line fashion: flour, then egg and finally bread crumbs. The flour ensures the surface of the cutlet is dry so the egg wash will stick to it, keeping the bread crumbs in place.

Do you cook schnitzel on high or low heat? ›

Heat 1.5cm / 3/5" oil in a heavy based deep skillet over medium high heat. Dip the end of a schnitzel in to check if the oil is hot enough - it should sizzle straight away (see video). Carefully place 2 schnitzels in the oil and cook for 3 minutes until deep golden, turn then cook the other side for 3 minutes.

What is traditionally served with schnitzel? ›

Wiener schnitzel is a popular Viennese dish made of veal and traditionally garnished with a slice of lemon and either potato salad or potatoes with parsley and butter. In Austria and Germany, Wiener Schnitzel must be made of veal.

What is schnitzel called in America? ›

schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities. The Americanized version of the dish is chicken-fried steak.

What is schnitzel batter made of? ›

Flour and eggs: Dredging the veal in all-purpose flour and eggs ensures a perfectly crispy finished product. Cheese and milk: Add Parmesan cheese and milk to the egg mixture to add flavor and help lock in moisture. Seasonings: Season the wiener schnitzel with minced parsley, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

What does schnitzel mean in English? ›

a thin slice of meat, usually veal (= young cow) that is covered in egg and very small pieces of bread before being fried.

Does schnitzel mean breaded? ›

In Germany, the term Schnitzel means cutlets in general, not just breaded, fried ones. Schnitzel Wiener Art ('Viennese style schnitzel') is a pounded, breaded and fried cutlet, more often made of pork than of veal.

What's the difference between breaded tenderloin and schnitzel? ›

The primary differences between a pork tenderloin sandwich and a Wiener Schnitzel are that the pork tenderloin sandwich is made exclusively using pork loin and it is deep fried instead of pan fried. The pork tenderloin sandwich is also usually served on a bun.

What is schnitzel breading made of? ›

This breaks down the meat fiber and ensures the most tender of schnitzels. It's then dredged in flour, egg, and then bread crumbs before frying to a delicious golden brown. Like podcasts? Listen to this one on German foods!

Is schnitzel a breast or thigh? ›

While both breast and thigh can be used for schnitzel, in Alla Fratelli, Barry McDonald, owner of Sydney's Fratelli Fresh, recommends using breasts for their parmesan crumbed chicken, and also for their chicken and prosciutto rotolo, where the meat is also beaten flat, but marylands (here thigh and leg separated) in ...

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