Honey BBQ Chicken Schnitzel
About the recipe
This Honey BBQ Chicken Schnitzel combines a golden, crispy chicken coating with a rich homemade honey BBQ sauce and a cool yogurt garlic sauce. The chicken is pounded thin, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and fried until beautifully crisp and juicy. Then, it is finished with a sweet, smoky and slightly tangy BBQ sauce that coats every crunchy bite. Served over fresh peppery arugula with creamy garlic yogurt and a squeeze of lemon, this chicken schnitzel makes an easy and satisfying meal for lunch or dinner.
Honey BBQ Chicken Schnitzel
Ingredients
For the Chicken Schnitzel:
- 2 Large boneless (skinless chicken breasts)
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Onion powder
- ½ tsp Paprika powder
- 2 Eggs
- 1½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
- Oil (for frying)
For the Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce:
- ½ cup Ketchup
- 3 tbsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Onion powder
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1–2 tsp Hot sauce (optional)
- 2–3 tbsp Water
- ¼–½ tsp Liquid smoke (optional)
For the Yogurt Garlic Sauce:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1–2 Finely grated garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1–2 tbsp Water (as needed)
For serving:
- Fresh arugula
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- First, butterfly the chicken breasts or carefully slice them horizontally into thinner pieces. Place each piece between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound it with a meat mallet until it is approximately 1 cm thick. Keeping the chicken evenly thin helps it cook quickly and evenly while also creating more surface area for the crispy coating.
- Next, add the all purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika to a shallow bowl. Mix thoroughly so the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Prepare three separate shallow bowls. Add the seasoned flour to the first, beaten eggs to the second and panko breadcrumbs to the third. Keeping the bowls in this order makes the breading process much easier and helps create an even coating.
- Take one piece of chicken and coat it thoroughly in the seasoned flour, making sure every surface is covered. Shake off any excess flour, then dip the chicken into the beaten egg. Finally, transfer it to the panko breadcrumbs and press the crumbs firmly onto the chicken. Repeat with the remaining pieces.
- Heat approximately 1 cm of oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chicken without overcrowding the pan. Fry for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once the first side is deeply golden and crisp. Continue cooking until the chicken is completely cooked through.Transfer the finished schnitzel to a wire rack or paper towels to drain briefly. A wire rack is particularly useful because it allows air to circulate underneath and helps the coating stay crisp.
- Meanwhile, add the ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and Dijon mustard to a small saucepan. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt and hot sauce if using.Pour in 2 tablespoons of water and whisk everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium low heat and cook for approximately 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should become thicker, glossy and easy to drizzle. If using liquid smoke, stir it in at the end.
- While the BBQ sauce simmers, combine the Greek yogurt, finely grated garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, then mix until smooth. Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a creamy but pourable consistency.
- Finally, arrange fresh arugula on serving plates and place the crispy chicken schnitzel on top. Drizzle the warm honey BBQ sauce generously over the chicken, making sure the sauce reaches the crispy edges.Serve the yogurt garlic sauce alongside the schnitzel or drizzle it lightly over the top. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon for a bright, tangy contrast and serve immediately.
Video
Tips & Tricks
Press the Panko Firmly: After dipping the chicken into the egg, press it firmly into the panko breadcrumbs. This helps create a thicker, crunchier coating that stays attached during frying.
Use Fresh Panko: Fresh, dry panko breadcrumbs create a particularly crisp texture. Avoid crushing them too finely because the larger flakes help give schnitzel its characteristic crunch.
Keep the Oil at the Right Temperature: The oil should be hot enough to crisp the coating quickly without burning it. If the oil is too cool, the breadcrumbs can absorb excess oil and become greasy. However, if it is too hot, the coating can brown before the chicken cooks through.
Keep the BBQ Sauce Thick: Allow the honey BBQ sauce to simmer until it becomes glossy and slightly thick. A thicker sauce will cling to the crispy chicken instead of immediately running off.
Balance the Richness: Fresh arugula, yogurt garlic sauce and lemon are not just garnishes. Their peppery, creamy and tangy flavours help balance the richness of the fried chicken and BBQ sauce.
FAQs
Can I bake the honey BBQ chicken schnitzel instead of frying it?
Yes. Place the breaded chicken on a lightly greased baking tray or wire rack and bake at approximately 220°C until golden and completely cooked through. You can also lightly spray the panko coating with oil before baking for better browning.
Can I make the honey BBQ sauce ahead of time?
Yes. The sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for several days. Gently warm it before serving and add a splash of water if it becomes too thick.
Can I make the honey BBQ chicken schnitzel gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free all purpose flour and gluten free panko breadcrumbs. Also check the labels of the Worcestershire sauce and other prepared ingredients to make sure they are gluten free.
Can I make this honey BBQ chicken schnitzel less spicy?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the hot sauce from the BBQ sauce. The smoked paprika still provides plenty of smoky flavor without adding significant heat.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used. Because thighs are naturally more tender and juicy, they can make a delicious schnitzel, although you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on their thickness.
