Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the restaurant price tag? This Zesty Lemon Chicken Romano recipe is your answer! Tender chicken breasts are coated in a light, crispy Romano cheese crust, then baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a vibrant lemon-butter sauce. It’s surprisingly easy to make, ready in under 40 minutes, and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters. This bright, tangy flavors of lemon pair perfectly with the savory Romano cheese, creating a symphony of taste that will leave you wanting more. This recipe is a fantastic alternative to traditional fried chicken, offering a healthier baked option without sacrificing any of the satisfying crunch and flavor. Serve it with a side of steamed asparagus or your favorite pasta for a complete and utterly delicious meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or elegant weekend dinners, this Lemon Chicken Romano is a versatile dish that will quickly become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a flavor explosion! The crispy Romano cheese crust offers a delightful texture that complements the juicy, tender chicken inside. The bright, tangy lemon-butter sauce elevates the dish, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the savory cheese. What makes this recipe truly special is its simplicity. You can achieve restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and readily available ingredients. If you’re looking for another cheesy chicken recipe, you might enjoy this parmesan pickle chicken recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and some possible substitutions:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for even cooking. Make sure they are similar in size.
- Romano Cheese: This hard, salty cheese is crucial for the distinctive flavor. Pecorino Romano is a great alternative.
- Breadcrumbs: Italian seasoned breadcrumbs add flavor and texture. Plain breadcrumbs with a pinch of Italian seasoning will also work.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese enhances the cheesy flavor.
- Olive Oil: Used for drizzling over the chicken, helping the cheese adhere.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the bright, tangy sauce.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is recommended so that you can control the final salt content of the dish.
- Garlic Powder, Oregano, Salt, & Pepper: These seasonings provide the base flavor for the dish. Adjust to your preference.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and color as a garnish.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Romano
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Lemon Chicken Romano:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
- In a shallow dish, thoroughly combine the grated Romano cheese, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil, ensuring even coverage.
- Press each chicken breast firmly into the cheese mixture, making sure both sides are evenly coated with the cheese mixture.
- Carefully place the coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each piece.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C), and the cheese crust should be a beautiful golden brown.
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the lemon-butter sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and drizzle generously with the lemon-butter sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Pound the Chicken: For even cooking, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch).
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will result in dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s cooked through but still juicy.
- Crispy Crust: For an extra crispy crust, broil the chicken for the last 2 minutes of cooking, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Always use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Lemon Chicken Romano pairs well with a variety of sides:
- Pasta: Serve with your favorite pasta, tossed in a light olive oil and garlic sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini are excellent choices.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette complements the richness of the chicken. Consider a zesty pairing like this Tangy Lemon Cheesecake Cake for dessert!
- Rice: Plain white rice or lemon rice are great options.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Lemon Chicken Romano can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also reheat it in a microwave, but the crust may not be as crispy.
FAQ
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. Chicken thighs will take longer to cook.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: It is not recommended to freeze this dish as the texture of the cheese crust may change.
Q: Can I add other herbs to the cheese mixture?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary.
This Zesty Lemon Chicken Romano is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its crispy cheese crust, juicy chicken, and bright lemon-butter sauce, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy!
Zesty Lemon Chicken Romano: An Easy Weeknight Delight
Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the restaurant price tag? This Lemon Chicken Romano recipe is your answer! Tender chicken breasts are coated in a light, crispy Romano cheese crust, then baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a vibrant lemon-butter sauce. It’s surprisingly easy to make, ready in under 40 minutes, and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters. The bright, tangy flavors of lemon pair perfectly with the savory Romano cheese, creating a symphony of taste that will leave you wanting more. This recipe is a fantastic alternative to traditional fried chicken, offering a healthier baked option without sacrificing any of the satisfying crunch and flavor. Serve it with a side of steamed asparagus or your favorite pasta for a complete and utterly delicious meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or elegant weekend dinners, this Lemon Chicken Romano is a versatile dish that will quickly become a family favorite.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup grated Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- In a shallow dish, combine Romano cheese, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle chicken breasts with olive oil.
- Press each chicken breast into the cheese mixture, coating both sides evenly.
- Place coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the cheese crust is golden brown.
- While the chicken is baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in lemon juice.
- Drizzle lemon-butter sauce over the baked chicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra crispy chicken, broil for the last 2 minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning. Serve with a side of pasta or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg