Skip to main content

Cornmeal-Crusted Chicken Cutlets With Zucchini Ribbon Salad

5.0

(5)

A white plate with cornmeal crusted chicken cutlets topped with zucchini ribbons on a blue patterned background.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson

Cornmeal is a naturally gluten-free way to get deliciously crispy pan-fried chicken cutlets. For a super summery dinner, serve them with a shaved zucchini salad studded with mint, cashews, and ricotta salata.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

2 medium or 3 small zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
4 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons plus 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, divided
4 (6-ounce) chicken cutlets, pounded 1/4" thick
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup roasted, salted cashews
5 ounces ricotta salata, shaved with a vegetable peeler

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Trim tops off zucchini. Using a mandoline or vegetable peeler, thinly slice lengthwise into wide ribbons; set aside.

    Step 2

    Whisk cornmeal, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and 1 tsp. salt in a wide shallow bowl. Whisk eggs, 1 Tbsp. mustard, and 2 Tbsp. water in another wide shallow bowl.

    Step 3

    Season cutlets on both sides with 1/2 tsp. salt. Dip each in egg mixture, letting excess drip back into bowl, then in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.

    Step 4

    Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Working in 2 batches and adding more oil if needed, cook cutlets, shaking pan occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.

    Step 5

    Meanwhile, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, red pepper, and remaining 1 tsp. mustard and 1/8 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add reserved zucchini ribbons and toss gently with your hands until ribbons are evenly coated with dressing. Add mint, cashews, and ricotta salata and toss just to combine.

    Step 6

    Transfer cutlets to a platter. Serve with zucchini salad alongside.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Just like the state fair, minus the crowds.
This fragrant salad uses bulgur wheat as its base, an endlessly versatile, slightly chewy grain that’s very popular throughout the eastern Mediterranean.
Rather than breaded and fried as you might expect croquettes to be, these are something more akin to a seared chicken salad patty.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
An espresso-and-cumin-spiked rub (or brine) gives this smoked chicken impressive flavor.
In this lasagna, soft layers of pasta and béchamel are interspersed with a rich tomato sauce laden with hearty Mediterranean vegetables.
A pinch of sugar in the spice rub ensures picture-perfect grill marks with layers of flavor.
Who says latkes have to be potato? Brussels bring a delicious cruciferousness.