An easy chicken schnitzel recipe perfect for Hanukkah or any other gathering

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links.

It wouldn’t be Hanukkah without fried foods like potato pancakes (latkes), jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) and chicken schnitzel. These foods are prepared and eaten throughout the holiday to celebrate the Jewish victory over a tyrant king and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. As the legend goes, a small quantity of oil to light the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted eight days.

We all love crunchy fried foods whether it’s Hanukkah or not. A particular favorite of mine is chicken schnitzel. Many cultures have their version of breaded, pan-fried cutlets — Italy’s chicken parmigiana, Japan’s chicken Katsu, Puerto Rico’s chicken empanizado, or Austria’s national dish, wiener schnitzel.

Schnitzel found its way with European Jews to Israel, where it is extremely popular all year long. Fried chicken cutlets are surprisingly fast and easy to make, and it’s a dish that children will love. It makes an appealing main dish, a filling for a sandwich, or a topping for pasta or salad.

How to make Chicken Schnitzel

This recipe is adapted from “Israeli Soul, Easy, Essential, Delicious” by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook.

The first step to breading chicken is important; make sure the chicken is completely dry before starting the dredging process. Pat the meat dry on all sides using a paper towel. Use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet: You will have one clean hand with which to answer the phone. It’s useful to set out pie dishes or casseroles and make an assembly line for wet and dry ingredients.

Coat the chicken cutlets with flour (I prefer finely ground instant Wondra), rice flour or cornstarch, and shake off any excess. The schnitzel recipe below skips this step. Then dip them in beaten egg, and finally coat them thoroughly and completely with bread crumbs, panko, matzoh meal, cornmeal, or cereal crumbs. Grated parmesan cheese, grated lemon rind, or herbs can be added to the crumb mixture.

Pat them firmly and set them aside at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the layers to bond. Heat the oil or fat until hot before adding the chicken, leaving plenty of space between the cutlets. Adjust heat so chicken cooks rapidly but the coating does not burn. Have plenty of patience: Don’t try to turn the chicken until the bottom is golden brown. Gently loosen the pieces with a wide spatula, and turn and cook the other side for the same amount of time. Transfer them to a plate.

The zesty citrus aromas and flavors and balanced acidity of Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley sauvignon blanc ($27) will complement this dish very well.

This story was originally published by the Miami Herald.