Chicken Schnitzels with Cilantro and Butter

Welcome to a recipe that will transform your weeknight dinners! Schnitzel is a beloved classic around the world, known for its satisfying crunch and tender meat. But today, we're giving it a fresh and vibrant twist. These Chicken Schnitzels are not only incredibly quick and easy to make, but they're also finished with a luscious cilantro and butter sauce that adds a burst of unexpected flavor. Forget heavy gravies; this light, aromatic sauce perfectly complements the crispy chicken, creating a dish that's both comforting and exciting. Get ready to fall in love with this simple yet elegant meal!

Cooking: 25 minutes
Quantity: 3 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 530 kcal
Proteins: 41 g
Fats: 28 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g

Ingredients for Chicken Schnitzels with Cilantro and Butter

  • 450 g chicken breast fillet
  • 2 chicken eggs
  • 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 50 g butter
  • 30 g cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mediterranean herbs
  • salt, black and red pepper, vegetable oil

How to Make Chicken Schnitzels with Cilantro and Butter

A hand holding a knife is separating the chicken tenderloin from the main breast fillet on a cutting board.

Cut the large chicken fillet, separating the tenderloin.

Slicing a chicken breast into even, 1.5 cm thick cutlets for schnitzels.

Slice the schnitzels to about one and a half centimeters thick with a sharp knife.

Pounding chicken cutlets covered with plastic wrap using a meat mallet to tenderize them.

Cover the schnitzels with plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet on both sides.


Take a large chicken fillet and cut off the tenderloin. If you are butchering a whole chicken breast, first remove the skin, then cut the breast along the keel bone on both sides and carefully slice the two fillets off the carcass. The carcass and skin can be saved for making broth.

Using a sharp knife, slice the fillets into schnitzels about one and a half centimeters thick.

Cover the schnitzels with plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet on both sides. The plastic wrap will protect you and your kitchen from splatters.

Seasoning flattened chicken cutlets with salt, black pepper, and red pepper.

Season the schnitzels: sprinkle with salt, ground black and red pepper.

A breading station with three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.

Prepare the breading mixture.

A perfectly breaded raw chicken schnitzel resting on a cutting board.

The breaded schnitzel can be placed on a dry cutting board sprinkled with breadcrumbs.


Season the schnitzels: sprinkle with salt, ground black pepper, and red pepper. You can also add your favorite seasoning for chicken or meat if you wish.

Prepare the breading mixture. Crack 2 chicken eggs into a bowl and whisk with a fork or whisk until smooth. On a board, place all-purpose flour, and separately, breadcrumbs mixed with Mediterranean herbs.

Coat the schnitzels in the all-purpose flour. Then dip them into the beaten egg and coat with the breadcrumb mixture, sprinkling with a pinch of dried Mediterranean herbs. You can place the breaded schnitzels on a dry cutting board sprinkled with breadcrumbs and refrigerate them to fry just before serving.

Pouring vegetable oil into a large skillet to heat it up for frying.

Pour refined vegetable oil or deep-frying oil into a wide, thick-bottomed skillet.

Pour refined vegetable oil or deep-frying oil into a wide, thick-bottomed skillet. Use a generous amount of oil and heat it well. If there isn’t enough oil or it’s not hot enough, it will just soak into the breading. Place the schnitzels in the hot oil.

Two chicken schnitzels frying in a pan, turning a beautiful golden-brown color.

Fry on both sides until golden brown, which will take 2-3 minutes per side.

Melting butter with chopped fresh cilantro in a skillet to create a sauce.

Put butter in the skillet, melt it, and add chopped cilantro.

Fried chicken schnitzels being coated with a fragrant cilantro and butter sauce in a skillet.

Return the schnitzels to the skillet and drizzle with the melted cilantro butter.


Fry on both sides until golden brown, which will take about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the cooked schnitzels from the skillet and place them on a cutting board.

Drain the vegetable oil and wipe the skillet with paper towels. Finely chop the cilantro (both leaves and stems). Add the butter to the skillet, melt it, and sprinkle in the chopped cilantro.

Return the schnitzels to the skillet and drizzle them with the melted cilantro butter.

A finished plate of chicken schnitzels with cilantro butter, ready to be served.

Serve immediately. Enjoy your meal!

Heat the schnitzels for another 2-3 minutes, then remove the skillet from the heat. Serve immediately.

And there you have it—perfectly golden, crispy chicken schnitzels ready to be devoured! The real star, the cilantro butter sauce, soaks beautifully into the breading, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. For a complete meal, serve these schnitzels alongside creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. This dish is a testament to how a few simple, fresh ingredients can create something truly memorable. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful recipe. Happy cooking!