Essentially, this mustard parmesan crispy chicken recipe is a chicken schnitzel, which is always delicious. But this version is even tastier, and only takes a little over 15 minutes to make!
A chicken schnitzel has an uncommon ability to be both simple and fancy at the same time.
Pair it with a simple but elegant salad and a glass of crisp white wine and it’s either a perfect easy midweek meal, or worthy of serving to guests.
Why is this recipe so great?
That makes a chicken schnitzel great in itself, but what makes THIS recipe worth your effort?
- You don’t need to mess around with sticky egg and flour to make this. I smear a mixture of mustard, dried mixed herbs, and garlic all over the chicken breasts before rolling them in panko breadcrumbs and pan frying.
- Said mustard, herbs and garlic make the finished chicken both super tasty, juicy and moist.
- The chicken takes just 3 to 6 minutes on each side to cook (it depends on how thick each piece of chicken is!). This should give you just enough time to throw together a quick salad…. which virtually makes this a 15-minute meal! (16 minutes, to be exact)
Ingredients
This is essentially a 6-ingredient recipe (plus seasoning and cooking oil!):
- chicken breasts
- mustard
- dried herbs
- garlic
- panko breadcrumbs
- parmesan cheese
How to make the schnitzels
Possibly the most difficult part of this recipe is flattening the chicken so that they cook evenly and quickly. And that’s not really difficult. Do it once and next time you’ll be a pro!
Step 1: Sandwich your chicken between 2 layers of cling film/plastic wrap. Bash with a rolling pin until flat and even!
Alternatively you can slice the chicken in two pieces across the width. This can be a little tricky, but it’s easier if you use a very sharp knife (obviously just watch your fingers!).
Step 2: Slather the mixture of mustard, herbs and garlic all over the chicken. I usually do this with a spoon.
Step 3: Press the chicken into the plate of breadcrumbs until really well covered.
Step 4: Pan fry. There’s a little bit of an art to this to get it right, but again, once you’ve done it once you’ll be a pro!
Pro tip: After you put the chicken in the pan, DON’T TOUCH IT until you’re ready to turn it over. If you try to move it too soon, you’ll find the coating will stick to the pan. You might find little bits of the coating still stick to the pan or drop off the chicken, but it’s OK folks! Your dinner will be delicious!
How to serve it
Again, this is one of those recipes that makes a tasty midweek meal for yourself, but is also worthy of serving to guests.
It’s a classy meal with a salad on the side, and perhaps some fresh bread, but your guests would never know it was so quick and easy to make!
Alternatively, serve your schnitzel with roasted vegetables (roast for 30 minutes at a high temperature), or some kind of potato side like these Greek crispy smashed potatoes. Or with these mini hasselback potatoes. Or just simple homemade potato wedges or sweet potato wedges.
If you prefer rice, I’d highly recommend this lemony Mediterranean rice with chickpeas. It’s very quick and easy, healthy, and makes fabulous lunch leftovers!
If you like all things crispy, something tells me you might enjoy these crispy halloumi fries too. Fancy giving your crispy chicken an Asian twist? Try this crispy chicken katsu curry, or its even simpler cousin, chicken katsu with tonkatsu sauce.
More 15-minute meals
- 15-minute Shanghai chicken (Mmmm!)
- 15-minute sticky sesame chicken
- 15-minute Thai basil pork stir fry
- 15-minute pesto chicken with mushroom parmesan sauce
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Mustard parmesan crispy chicken
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 2 chicken breasts
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons mustard mild e.g. Dijon, American
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs dried
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cups parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons oil for cooking
serving suggestion
- fresh salad, warm crusty bread and a glass of fruity white wine!
Instructions
- In turn, place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of cling wrap (plastic wrap) and flatten to an even thickness with a rolling pin or wooden mallet (about ½ inch thick is ideal).
- Sprinkle each side of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Mix together the mustard, herbs and garlic, then smear over both sides of the chicken with a brush or teaspoon.
- Mix the panko breadcrumbs with the parmesan, then scatter over a plate. Press the chicken into the mixture until both sides are fully covered.
- Heat the oil in a pan on a medium heat, then pan fry the chicken for about 3 to 6 minutes on each side (depending on chicken thickness), or until crispy, golden and cooked through.
- Serve immediately* with a big salad and crusty bread.
Jean hinds says
Made the crispy Parmesan chicken today , along with the Mediterranean roast vegetables.
Loved. Both the recipes
Helen says
Thank you so much for the great feedback, Jean. I’m so glad you enjoyed both of these recipes. That sounds like a great combination, actually – might make that meal myself soon! 🙂
mira says
Love a good, real chicken schnitzel and this one looks so delicious. Thanks for another amazing recipe Helen! Hope you guys are doing well!
Helen says
Thank you so much, Mira. We’re doing OK thanks, although extremely busy organising our move. Hope you guys are well too!
Melissa @ Insider The Kitchen says
I make this exact recipe with breast meat. It’s truly a classic and we love it!! Great one!
Helen says
Hi Melissa. I make it with breast meat too. We had it again today… mmmm! 🙂
Karly says
Ooooh man does this look good. Love the bold flavor and super crispy outside. Would be so good on a sandwich or in a salad, too!
Helen says
Hi Karly! Ooh yes, this would be wonderful as a sort of burger. With avocado, and tomato, and mayo… mmmm!
Marissa says
This chicken looks and sounds divine, Helen! What a great idea to use Dijon for extra flavor…
Helen says
Hi Marissa! It’s the lazy person’s version of schnitzel!!
ann says
That looks so yum. I might wreck my diet and cook this quite soon.
Good luck on your move to this part of the world …… to WA I presume?
Helen says
Hello Ann. Oh go on, wreck that diet, just this once. Although to be honest I don’t think this is too naughty. It’s just pan fried in a little bit of oil, and you could always skip the parmesan to lower the calories a little! 🙂
Thanks so much for the good wishes for our move. Just a couple of weeks to go! And yes, we’re off to WA… Perth. I have mixed feelings, but am trying to see it as an adventure!
ann says
Looked at this recipe again and I really must want it because I have realised that it has been printed 3 times!! My Mediterranean diet is out the window tomorrow night. Can taste it already! Your hot weather is good training for bubs in WA although you are arriving in winter. Don’t have too many mixed feelings, you do realise that we have flights Perth to UK, not just one way. ; ))
Helen says
Hello Ann! Hahaha… it’s the universe speaking to you for sure! I really hope you enjoy the recipe – it’s become one of our staple mid-week go-tos. I don’t think you need to worry too much about the diet though as this is ‘only’ pan fried in just a little oil. I think you’ll be just fine!
You wouldn’t believe how hot it was here. The problem of course is the humidity here. 30 degrees feels like 40 in Oz!
Anyway, quite glad we’ll be arriving in Winter! 🙂
ann says
Arraahhhhhhhhhh! I just noticed what you said. Wash your mouth out Helen, skip the parmesan indeed!
Helen says
Hahahahaha…. I’m definitely missing something here!!! Is this a cultural language difference? I better go check up on what I’ve said!!! 🙂 🙂
ann says
I did make this crispy chook and loved it.
No cultural difference. You suggested that I could reduce the parmesan to cut down on calories. Shock horror…parmesan is one of my personal food necessities so I definitely did not reduce the quantity. Thank you again for a yummy recipe.
Helen says
Ahhhh, I see! Well, I’m very happy you kept the parmesan then. So happy you enjoyed your meal, and thanks again for reporting back! Have a great day, Ann!
[email protected] says
There’s nothing better than a nice piece of crispy chicken and panko are the best for this. I love to useDijon as the perfect ‘glue’ for the breading and adds so much flavor.
Helen says
I know, it works perfectly, doesn’t it? I can’t believe I haven’t thought of this before!