Zesty Herb-Infused Lemon Chicken
This Baked Lemon Chicken Romano with Herbs is a delightful dish that combines juicy chicken with zesty lemon and savory Romano cheese. It’s a comforting yet gourmet meal that’s perfect for impressing family and friends.
- Author: Layla
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and achieves that perfect golden crust.
- Prepare your dredging station: in one shallow dish, place the flour; in a second dish, whisk the eggs; and in a third, combine the grated Romano cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper. Set these aside as you prepare the chicken.
- Take each chicken breast and gently pound them to an even thickness of about 1 inch. This helps them cook uniformly and ensures tenderness. Avoid pounding too hard to prevent the meat from tearing.
- Season each chicken breast with salt and pepper on both sides. This step enhances the overall flavor.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess before dipping it into the egg mixture. Ensure it's fully coated; this helps the breadcrumb mixture stick.
- Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs. You want a thick, even layer for that desirable crunch.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts, cooking for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure a proper sear.
- Once browned, pour the lemon juice and zest over the chicken, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the coating is crispy.
- Remove from the oven, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: One common mistake is to skip the pounding step for the chicken. Always ensure your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken to achieve a crispy crust.