Schnitzel
israelichickenpan-friedclassicbeginnerweeknightbreadcrumbed

Schnitzel

This Israeli-style schnitzel is thin, crisp, and deeply golden, with juicy chicken inside and a bright squeeze of lemon over the top. Paired with a fresh chopped Israeli salad, it makes a classic, satisfying meal that feels both light and comforting.

30 min
2 servings
617 kcal
Israeli

Ingredients

Chicken and coating

  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 300 g total)chicken breast
  • 5 gfine salt
  • 1 gblack pepper
  • 40 gplain flour
  • 1 largeegg
  • 80 gdry breadcrumbs
  • 10 gchopped parsley
  • 80 mlneutral oil

Israeli salad

  • 200 gtomatoes
  • 180 gcucumber
  • 40 gred onion
  • 10 gchopped parsley
  • 15 mllemon juice
  • 10 mlolive oil
  • 2 gfine salt

To serve

  • 1, cut into wedgeslemon

Instructions

  1. 1

    Slice each chicken breast horizontally into 2 thin cutlets. Place between sheets of baking paper or plastic wrap and pound gently to an even 5-7 mm thickness. Season both sides with the fine salt and black pepper. Thin, even cutlets cook quickly and stay crisp without drying out.

  2. 2

    Prepare the salad while the chicken rests briefly with the seasoning. Dice the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion very finely, then toss with the chopped parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, and fine salt. Set aside so the vegetables lightly season but do not sit too long and become watery.

  3. 3

    Set up a breading station: put the plain flour in one shallow plate, beat the egg in a second plate, and mix the dry breadcrumbs with the chopped parsley in a third. Coat each cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so the coating adheres well. A thin, even coating fries more cleanly than a thick one.

  4. 4

    Heat the neutral oil in a large frying pan over medium to medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry the schnitzels for 2-3 minutes per side, in batches if needed, until deep golden brown and cooked through. Adjust the heat so the crumbs brown steadily without burning. The chicken is done when the centre is opaque and the internal temperature reaches 74 C.

  5. 5

    Transfer the schnitzels to a plate lined with paper towel and rest for 2 minutes to keep the crust crisp. Serve immediately with the Israeli salad and lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Nutrition per serving

617 kcal
Calories
39g
Protein
39g
Carbs
33g
Fat
4g
Fiber

Notes

Background

Schnitzel became deeply rooted in Israeli home cooking through Central European Jewish culinary traditions, then adapted to local tastes and everyday ingredients. In Israel it is especially popular as a family meal and is often served with lemon, salads, chips, or tucked into pita. Chicken is now more common than veal or pork, making it both practical and widely eaten.

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