Crispy Lemon-Basil and Parmesan Crusted Chicken

My kids have been such picky eaters lately, it's killing me!  Thankfully they do eat chicken because this is the BEST CHICKEN EVER!! This right here in front of you.  It comes together quickly, cooks quickly and tastes fabulous!  

I decided to use whole wheat bread crumbs here and used my own homemade bread.  I was a little leery that using my own bread to make the bread crumbs wouldn't get it crunchy enough, but I was wrong, thankfully, and it delivered. 

The chicken is simply flavored with lemon and fresh basil, the perfect flavors for summer.  I served it along side some herbed roasted potatoes and salad and everyone gobbled it down; you're sure to as well.

Crispy Lemon-Basil and Parmesan Crusted Chicken
2 chicken breasts, butterflied
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs*
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, sliced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
flour, about 1/2 cup
1 egg, whisked

To make bread crumb mixture, combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, basil, salt and pepper.  Set up breading station first with a shallow dish of flour, next the egg and third the bread crumb mixture. Line a cookie sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Dredge chicken, one piece at a time, in the flour shaking off any excess.  Next dip each piece in the egg and then lastly the bread crumb mixture.  Place the crusted chicken breasts on the wire rack.

Bake about 12-15 minutes depending on thickness of chicken.  Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.


*To make your own whole wheat bread crumbs, take 2-3 thick slices of bread (enough for 2 cups)  and toast in toaster until well-toasted. Place in a small food processor and process until bread resembles breadcrumbs.