{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 recently stumbled upon you blog and it has been an amazing read.Quick question:Can I use my fry pan (using gas on low heat)for this chicken recipe or does it have to be grilled.
Hi Nafi! This is best grilled/broiled to make the breadcrumb coating nice and crunchy. If you do it in a fry pan, you’d need to add plenty of oil which kind of defeats the purpose of this healthy version of chicken schnitzel! 🙂
YAY! I have 4 chicken breasts thawing and was wanting to do something different tonight! I love panko crumbs and always have them in the cupboard! Nagi I have seen and made a similar recipe for Salmon using mayonnaise. I know that might seem rich, but is really moist. I will let you know how the chicken turns out. (I might add some spices to the mayo, and/or capers? Hmmm?) LOL SUNNY in PORTLAND!
Lisa
Ooh, I love the idea of panko on salmon! Thanks for the suggestion Lisa, I must try it! I don’t think it would be rich, you only need a wee bit of mayo on the salmon just to act as a glue for the panko! And capers is a good idea, something a little sour to cut through the richness of the salmon. Mmmm….going on my list of things to try!! 🙂 Hope you enjoy this one!
Just made this for dinner. My two boys devoured it! Including my 2 year old who never eats meat. A real winner for us and has been added to my go-to dinner list. And I love that it’s so healthy, not a drop of oil insight. Thanks Nagi!
Thank you for coming back to let me know you enjoyed it!! It’s seriously amazing isn’t it – so few ingredients but so tasty! PS No oil…but there is mayo….unless you substituted with oil free? I would be curious to know if you did because I haven’t tried this with oil free mayo!! 🙂
Crunchy chicken with mashed potato is one of my favorite dish. So delicious and easy recipe 🙂
Thanks Amallia!
Thanks Nagi,
This crunchy chicken would be a perfect tool for me to stay the children at home. And I love the idea to match it with a potato salad. Well-balanced!
Thanks Elaine!! Yes, this is definitely one that appeals to kids!!
I have a question about the breadcrumbs. What if I only have bread crumbs? Will that work too?
Hi Kristy! It absolutely will work with ordinary bread crumbs, the breading/crumb just won’t be quite as thick because panko breadcrumbs are slightly larger. Panko gives you a really thick curst. Ordinary breadcrumbs will give you a normal crunchy crust. Still delicious!!
Nagi thanks for this wonderful, simple, and fast recipe! 😀 I’m taking finals right now, so am in dire need of some fast simple recipes:D not to mention delicious! I can always count on you for such time-saving-yummy-delicious foods!
Exams!! Agghh!! Nightmares at the memory 🙂 Wish we lived closer, I would deliver fresh meals to you every day!
OMG! How did I miss this one! This looks fantastic! Using panko to give baked chicken that wonderful crispy crunch is the best! But I’ve never tried the mayo/parm combo! I’ll definitely have to give that a try!
I never have ordinary breadcrumbs in my pantry anymore!! Well, unless I make it myself!!
I love the idea behind your blog, and the meal above honestly looks great. You even whipped up a salad! I’m gonna have to try breaded chicken your way. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks Aida! This meal really is fab. The flavour is incredible! When I first saw a recipe using mayo like this, I was really cynical, convinced it would congeal or something. But it doesn’t at all, it almost melts, gets absorbed into the panko breadcrumbs AND it has plenty of seasoning so it provides the flavour for the chicken!!
This is really nice. I’ve used mayonnaise only once and then forgot about it. 🙂
Thanks Maureen! I know, I’m the same, I always forget – until I’m scratching for dinner at the end of the week! I always have panko and always have mayo!!
Crispy chicken is my weakness… it’s hard to believe that this chicken is baked as it looks so golden and crunchy. A delicious 15 minute meal I will be making this week for the family. Thanks for the recipe Nagi!!
Thanks Thalia! Love to hear what you think!
This is kinda like cheats Karaage…with mashed potatoes. I could kiss you.
Ha ha!! A giant flattened karaage!
4 ingredients and 15 minutes, seriously? The combination is super yummy and colorful! Great tips on making crispy chicken. This is exactly what I should do for a lazy day when I was craving for fried chicken, which is every Friday night with a huge bucket of KFC!
Thanks Maggie!! I have to admit, I crave KFC too….I am just glad the closest one is quite far away! Much faster to make this at home! 🙂
Hi Nagi, my mouth is watering at the look of this meal… absolutely delicious.
Hi Lizzy! Thanks so much for your comment! So glad you think it looks yum – it really is! SO crunchy! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make something like this for ages, Nagi. Now I’ve just got to give it a go because you’ve given me so many great tips. The mayo idea is great! (oh, and the microwaved potatoes idea, too) Pinning this one for sure!
Thanks Helen! Good one for those days when you’re really in a rush…and YES mayo is such a great tip!! I love it, it really works so well!!
I was starting to miss your 15 minute meals Nagi! It is amazing, how if I follow your tricks and suggestions, I can make such a beautiful dish in just 15 minutes! I love the salad, too! Looks delicious! Pinned!
Thanks Mira!! Appreciate your comment – I love the salad too! I really love making cucumber ribbons. I think it looks pretty!! 🙂