Description
Lemon Pecorino Crusted Chicken: A bright, crispy, restaurant-worthy main featuring juicy chicken coated in a golden Pecorino crust and finished with a silky lemon cream sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt (divided)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season lightly with half the salt.
- In a shallow bowl, mix Pecorino cheese, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and remaining salt.
- Press chicken into the mixture, coating both sides well.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper.
- Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top.
- Simmer for 2 minutes, garnish if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading.
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano for the strongest flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream; the sauce will be thinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Lemon Pecorino Crusted Chicken, Creamy Lemon Sauce, pecorino crusted chicken, lemon chicken, pan-seared chicken, Italian-inspired