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Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Arugula Salad

Lemon Parmesan Chicken

Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Arugula Salad Topping is a wonderful meal for all to share. Perfectly breaded and crisp chicken, topped with a quick and easy, unfussy arugula salad tossed in a lemon vinaigrette and finished with shaved Parmesan.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 extra-large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Unsalted butter
  • Good olive oil
  • 5 ounces arugula
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
  • 1/4 pound chunk Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper on a dinner plate. On a second plate, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs, the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, the lemon zest and thyme, and set aside.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment paper until they are 1/4 inch thick. You can use either a meat mallet or a rolling pin.
  3. Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the prepared flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread-crumb mixture, pressing lightly.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan and cook 2 or 3 chicken breasts on medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts.
  5. Place the arugula in a large bowl. In a 1-cup glass measure, whisk together the 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten. Toss well.
  6. Pile some arugula on top of each hot chicken breast. With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, shave the chunk of Parmesan into large shards and arrange them on top of the arugula.