{15 Minute Meal} This chicken for this Super Quick Chicken Dinner only requires 4 ingredients: chicken breast + panko + mayonnaise + parmesan. And it only takes 8 minutes to grill/broil. The flavour is fantastic and it comes out golden brown with a thick crumb. Plus mashed potato and a side salad – all this in 15 minutes!
It’s been a while since I shared a 15 minute Meal! So I thought I’d share one of my favourites. This is a classic midweek meal for me. I will often do variations of this, using fish and making the mash using other vegetables like peas and parsnip.
“Crunchy chicken – without the mess or guilt of deep frying!”
To make fast meals from scratch, you need to use some nifty shortcuts and this dinner is packed full of them!
1. Chicken breast minute steaks – these are just thin slices of chicken breast. They are great for fast meals because they cook so quickly (this takes 8 minutes under the grill/broiler) and they are particularly suited for this recipe because the surface is flat so you can crumb the chicken more easily. They cost a little bit more(about $2/kg more which is $1/lb). Or you can just slice a chicken breast horizontally yourself;
2. Mayonnaise for flavour, make the panko stick and the crumb golden brown – mayonnaise is such a great shortcut trick. Not only does it provide the flavour for the chicken but it’s also perfect for making the panko stick to the chicken. You will be amazed how well it works. And to top it off, it makes the crumb comes out a beautiful golden brown because of the oil in the mayonnaise (rather than drizzling with oil. Oil spray does not work because the force of the spray blows the crumb off!);
3. Grilling/broiling the chicken in a fry pan – you will truly be amazed how well this works! The crumb comes out golden (as you can see in the picture) and because this is made using panko instead of breadcrumbs, it is a really thick and crunchy crumb; and
4. Microwave Mashed Potato – I use a couple of shortcuts in this. Firstly, I microwave the potatoes which takes about 5 minutes – much faster than boiling. Secondly, you don’t need to peel and cut the potatoes, just microwave the potatoes whole. Then cut them in half and scoop out the flesh. Once you add milk and butter (optional), I bet no one can tell it whether the potatoes were boiled or microwaved!
“A bit of mayonnaise is the secret weapon in this recipe. It’s the flavour base, makes the panko stick and makes the crumb golden brown.”
With a dinner like this in your back pocket, there’s no need for take out! The crumb on the chicken is absolutely delightful – it’s thick, crunchy and really well seasoned thanks to the mayonnaise and parmesan cheese.
I love getting new ideas for shortcuts for fast meals! What are your tips? I’d love to get some inspiration to come up with some fresh ideas for fast midweek meals!
– Nagi
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Super Quick Chicken Dinner: Crumbed Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Chicken
- 400 g / 13oz chicken breast minute steaks (4 pieces x 100g/3oz each) (Note 1)
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise , preferably whole egg (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese , grated
- 6 tbsp panko breadcrumbs (Note 3)
Fast Mashed Potato
- 2 medium potatoes (Note 4), not peeled
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk (full fat or low fat)
- 1 tbsp butter (optional)
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Salad
- 1 large cucumber (or 2 small cucumbers)
- 1 punnet cherry tomatoes (or 2 medium tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Turn grill/broiler on high and place the shelf about 20cm/8" from the heat source.
- Place potatoes in the microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes. Then turn the potatoes over and cook on high for a further 2 minutes (or until cooked). Squeeze the potatoes to check if they are cooked.
- Mix the mayonnaise and parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Place the chicken in a large oven proof fry pan (Note 5). Using the back of a spoon, spread the mayonnaise mixture over each chicken breast.
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over each piece of chicken. Use your fingers to pat the panko so it sticks to the chicken. (Note 6)
- Place chicken under the grill/broiler for 8 minutes, or until just cooked through and the crumbs are golden. Check it once at around 6 minutes and rotate the fry pan if necessary so the crumb cooks evenly all over. When cooked, set aside to rest for a few minutes before serving.
- While the chicken is cooking, get the potatoes out of the microwave (use a dishcloth). Cut each potato in half, then use a dessert spoon to scoop the flesh out into a bowl. Add milk, butter, salt and pepper. Use a potato masher to mash. Add more milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Salad: Use a potato peeler to make ribbons from the cucumber. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Pile the cucumber and cherry tomatoes onto a plate, then drizzle over lemon juice, olive oil and scatter with salt and pepper.
- To Serve: Place mashed potato on each plate then top with the chicken. Drizzle with extra olive oil and garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve the Salad on the side.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
I just made this chicken for two very fussy eaters and they devoured it. I love the mayo shortcut. Thank you
This was so beautiful. I used gluten free breadcrumbs, and I coated both sides. It was divine!
I am loving your recipes. I cook them most nights now! Quick question, the way this reads to me the crumbs are just one side or do you turn over and apply the Mayo and crumbs?
Hi Nic, for this quick recipe I only do one side here. N x
Can I substitute greek yogurt for the mayo?
Do you coat both sides of the chicken and do you turn over to cook the other side? Also will a baking tray work OK?
Delicious!!! This recipe worked so well and was so tasty. I also added Dijon mustard to the mayo/parm mixture. So juicy and flavorful
Made the chicken and salad exactly as written, only I made air fryer potato wedges instead of mashed potatoes because we’d had mashed potatoes already this week. Ate the chicken with sauces we already had on hand. Very good dinner. Will make again. The chicken especially got a lot of compliments for being so tender!
I am keen to try this as a quick weekday meal option for my young kids once I return to work from mat leave. I’m not sure if children under 1 year can have mayo. Is there an alternative to using mayo?
Love your website by the way, and I’ve tried a few of your recipes with big success!
I have made this recipe which I found amazing. Butttt my hubby doesn’t like a dry recipe. Could you suggest a sauce that would compliment it please?
Why not give this one a go: https://www.recipetineats.com/mushroom-sauce – N x
i have been making this chicken for a few years now and love it. i did it last february for 150 guests and had many requests for the recipe. i served it with my orange and white potatoes. so simple – take one med potato per person, slice about 1/4 inch thick and put in pot of water so it does not discolour. i use russett and sweet potatoes. i then layer them in a baking dish, alternating the coloured layers. also, put thinly sliced onion between layers as well. then top off with 35% cream, until the cream reaches close to the top layer. push down the potatoes as you do this. optional is to top with grated cheddar cheese or parm. then cover, bake in 350 oven til the potatoes are cooked, could take 45 to 60 minutes, This seems to depend on the potatoes. i have done these, then frozen them and they tasted great. This is unusual because generally you cannot freeze potatoes. Then i took the leftover leftovers and made a creamy potato soup. Feel free to try and make a recipe. Regards
My family loves this chicken, and I’m “forced” to make it all the time. “Crunchy chicken – yay!” It’s really easy and super tasty with a quick side salad. I’ve made the mash and cucumber salad too (equally delish and super easy). Here’s my 2 cents – I cook the chicken in my cast iron pan on the lower rack in the oven on broil – sometimes it cooks a bit quickly so I’ll start broiling until it begins to brown well, then cover it in foil to make sure the chicken cooks but doesn’t burn, then remove the foil and then crisp it up at the end. Magic!
Sounds like you’re nailing it! I’m so glad it’s a hit – N x
Hi there, should i set broil to low or high?
Hi Tanya, Step 1 – set to high. ☺️
Is it possible to use chicken thigh fillets or turkey breasts with this as we are not huge fans of chicken breast/chicken breast minute steaks?
Thanks Nagi
Definitely! Just pound it flat into a minute steak thickness 🙂
I’ve been using the mayo-parm combo in fish…i just put it on top of basa fillets, sprinkle some rosemary and thyme, then bake them. So good! I have never thought of trying it with chicken – thank you for the idea! I will try this recipe soon. 🙂
Hope you do Trish! N x
Very good recipe. Easy and delicious.
Fantastic to hear! Thank you for letting me know! N xx
If i were to want the whole piece breaded but still broiled/crunchy how would you suggest going about that?
Hi Amanda! I have a recipe for a baked version -> https://www.recipetineats.com/truly-golden-crunchy-baked-chicken-tenders-less-mess/
For a broiled version, just crumb both sides then flip when broiling. N x