CRISP CHICKEN SCHNITZEL WITH LEMONY HERB SALAD

Crisp Chicken Schnitzel With Lemony Herb Salad image

This schnitzel is light and crunchy with a crust that rises like a soufflé. The secret is to trap air in the crust when you cook the meat by moving and shaking the pan (Ms. Clark demonstrates with pork in this video.) You can use this technique with a variety of meat cutlets.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories dinner, main course

Time 30m

Yield 3 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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Ingredients

6 anchovy fillets
1 small garlic clove
Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
7 to 8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, to taste
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups panko or other unseasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/4 pounds chicken cutlets, pounded to 1/8-inch thick
Safflower, peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
2 quarts mixed baby greens
2 cups soft herb leaves, like a combination of mint, tarragon, basil, parsley, cilantro, chervil, chives (try to use at least 3 kinds)
1 scallion, thinly sliced, including greens

Steps:

Mince anchovies and garlic and mix with a large pinch of salt until you get a rough paste. Put it in bowl and whisk in the lemon zest, juice and another pinch of salt and some pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
Place eggs in one shallow dish, bread crumbs in another, and flour mixed with cayenne and nutmeg in a third. Season chicken cutlets generously with salt and pepper.
Heat 1/8 inch oil in a large skillet. While oil heats, dip cutlets one by one into flour (shake off any excess), then into eggs (ditto) and finally into the bread crumbs, taking care not to handle chicken more than necessary (hold meat by ends).
When oil sizzles when a pinch of bread crumbs is thrown in, add a chicken cutlet (or two if your skillet is large, leave plenty of room around them). Swirl pan so oil cascades over top of cutlet in waves. When bottom is golden brown, about 3 minutes, flip and brown the other side, swirling pan (swirling helps create air pockets, giving you lighter schnitzel). Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking platter or baking tray and sprinkle with more salt. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Toss salad greens and herbs with just enough anchovy-lemon dressing to lightly coat them. Divide salad on serving plates and top with schnitzel. Drizzle with more dressing and garnish with scallions.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 757, UnsaturatedFat 32 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 44 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 873 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams