Recipe: Lemon Chicken Scaloppine in Pine Nut Parmesan Crust

LEMON CHICKEN SCALOPPINE IN PINE NUT PARMESAN CRUST

"Zesty, tangy and delicious, this is like chicken fingers for adults!"

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups dry bread crumbs (or panko)
2 lemons
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped basil
2 tablespoons butter (approximately)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (approximately)

Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound chicken breasts between 2 pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap until they are 1/4-inch thick.

Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper on a large plate. Put eggs on a separate plate. On a third plate, combine bread crumbs, zest from 1 lemon (2 teaspoon), 1 teaspoon salt, cheese, pine nuts, and basil.

Sprinkle chicken with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Coat both sides in flour, then eggs (allowing excess to drip off), then bread crumb mixture, pressing mixture in slightly.

In a large skillet over a medium flame, heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. When pan is hot, add 1 to 2 chicken breasts; cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm on a plate tented with foil. Add more butter and oil to skillet with each batch.

Cut remaining unpeeled lemon into large wedges. Squeeze 2 wedges over chicken before serving and place remaining wedges on platter with chicken.

Makes 4 servings
Source: Rori Trovato in O, The Oprah Magazine, February, 2004