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Crispy Valentine’s Heart-Shaped Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Parmesan Crusted Chicken - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a crispy Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust, shaped into adorable hearts. Perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions like Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (substitute with almond meal for low-carb option)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil for higher smoke point)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken breasts. Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about ½ inch thick.
  2. Using a 4-5 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut the pounded chicken into heart shapes. If unavailable, cut hearts freehand with a sharp knife. Set aside.
  3. Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
  4. Dredge each heart-shaped chicken piece first in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Coat thoroughly with the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  6. Cook chicken hearts in the skillet without crowding, about 4-5 minutes per side (8-10 minutes total), until crust is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the chicken. Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken and let it rest before cooking to help the crust stick. Adjust heat to medium to prevent burning the crust. Let chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices. For oven-baking, cook at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: Parmesan crusted chicken, heart-shaped chicken, crispy chicken recipe, Valentine's Day dinner, easy chicken recipe, panko crust chicken

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/crispy-valentines-heart-shaped-parmesan-crusted-chicken-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/