panko trusted chicken

Panko-crusted chicken is a delicious dish where chicken is coated in a light and crispy panko breadcrumb mixture, then baked or fried to perfection. Panko breadcrumbs give the chicken a crunchy and airy texture. Here's a recipe to make panko-crusted chicken:

### Ingredients:

- **Chicken:**

  - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  - Salt and black pepper, to taste

- **Coating:**

  - 1 cup all-purpose flour

  - 2 large eggs, beaten

  - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

  - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for added flavor)

  - 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  - 1 teaspoon onion powder

  - 1 teaspoon paprika

  - Salt and black pepper, to taste

- **Cooking oil:** For frying (vegetable oil, canola oil, or olive oil)

### Instructions:

1. **Prepare the chicken:**

   - If the chicken breasts are thick, you may want to slice them in half horizontally to create thinner fillets for more even cooking.

   - Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.

2. **Set up the coating station:**

   - In a shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour.

   - In another shallow dish, beat the eggs.

   - In a third shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and additional salt and black pepper.

3. **Coat the chicken:**

   - Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.

   - Dip the chicken in the beaten eggs, allowing any excess egg to drip off.

   - Coat the chicken in the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs gently onto the chicken to help them adhere.

4. **Cook the chicken:**

   - **Frying method:** Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), carefully place the coated chicken in the skillet. Fry until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

   - **Baking method:** Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

5. **Serve:**

   - Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

   - Serve the panko-crusted chicken with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables, a salad, or mashed potatoes.

Enjoy your crispy and flavorful panko-crusted chicken! Adjust the seasoning in the breadcrumb mixture to suit your taste preferences.