Consuming Passions - Worldwide Events Managers

Chicken with a Parmesan and Herb Crust

Serves: 4

Notes

Boned and skinned chicken breasts can be treated like veal escalopes, emerging from their brief cooking perfectly moist and tender, the crisp crust a nice contrast to the moist interior. You can get your butcher to skin, bone and beat out the chicken for you; if buying from a supermarket, do it yourself.

Ingredients

• 4 (2 whole) chicken breasts, skinned and boned
• 8 Tbsp fresh white breadcrumbs
• 85g grated parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp chopped basil
• 1 Tbsp chopped oregano
• 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 egg
• 31/2 Tbsp milk
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 55g unsalted butter
• Salt & pepper

Method

If preparing the chicken yourself, skin the breasts, trim off any residual fat or cartilage and put them, one at a time, between sheets of cling film and, with a rolling pin, beat out gently into thin escalopes. Put the breadcrumbs, parmesan and herbs in a bowl. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix together well. In another bowl, whisk the egg, then whisk in the milk. Pass each flattened breast through the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl, and then press it into the coating mixture, first one side and then the other. Press down with the palm of your hand to ensure an even coating and transfer the breasts to a tray, not touching (if they sit on top of each other they tend to go soggy). Put 1tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. When hot, swirl in half the butter and, as it sizzles, carefully lay in 2 chicken pieces. Give them 2-3 minutes on each side. Keep warm in a low oven while you cook the others. Alternatively, use 2 pans and cook in tandem.