Description
Lemon Chicken Romano is a delightful and crispy dish perfect for cozy dinners at home. Featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs coated in a flavorful mixture of Romano cheese and fresh lemon zest, it’s pan-fried to golden perfection and simmered in a tangy lemon, chicken broth, and white wine sauce. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices, this easy-to-make recipe combines rich, zesty, and comforting flavors to satisfy your palate in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (choose thighs for a richer flavor or breasts for a leaner option)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Dredging Station
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (opt for whole wheat for a healthier twist)
- 2 large eggs (feel free to substitute with a flax egg for a vegan version)
- 1 cup grated Romano cheese (Parmesan can be used as a substitute)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (fresh zest preferred)
Sauce and Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (fresh-squeezed recommended)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth as a lighter alternative)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (omit if avoiding alcohol)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (vegetable oil as an alternative)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (any fresh herbs can be used)
- 2 slices lemon (for garnishing)
Instructions
- Flatten and Season the Chicken: Using a meat mallet, flatten each chicken piece to about ½ inch thickness. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare Dredging Station: Set up three shallow dishes—one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of grated Romano cheese combined with fresh lemon zest. This will ensure a flavorful crispy coating.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the cheese and lemon zest mixture to prepare for frying.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the coated chicken pieces in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Sauce: Once the chicken is golden, add fresh lemon juice, chicken broth, and dry white wine directly into the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
- Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the skillet if removed, and heat through for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure it is cooked fully and infused with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve hot for a bright, crispy, and cozy meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use chicken thighs; breasts will provide a leaner dish.
- Whole wheat flour or Parmesan cheese can be great ingredient swaps for health or flavor variations.
- Omit white wine if avoiding alcohol and replace with additional chicken broth.
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use vegetable broth.
- Ensure the chicken is flattened to even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American-Italian
