If you want a meal that is incredibly flavorful, comfortingly simple, and looks beautiful straight from the oven, then this recipe is exactly what you need. These golden breaded cutlets are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and infused with a rich garlic-butter flavor. They are perfect for a family dinner, a weekend gathering, or whenever you want something that tastes like restaurant-quality comfort food.
What makes this dish special is how the meat is cooked in a shallow pool of seasoned melted butter. This not only keeps the cutlets moist while baking, but it also helps the breadcrumbs develop that intense golden color and irresistible crust. The resulting texture is unreal — crunchy edges with a tender, flavorful center.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cutlets
6 pork chops (boneless) or 6 chicken breast cutlets (flattened)
1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian herbs
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk or water (to loosen the eggs)
1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Garlic Butter
1 stick (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon parsley (fresh or dried)
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil (helps butter stay stable while baking)
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Prepare the Meat
Start by patting your pork or chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. Removing excess moisture helps the breading stick better and become crisp when baked.
If using pork chops, choose medium-thickness cuts—thin ones cook too fast and dry out, while very thick ones take too long to crisp up.
If using chicken breasts, slice them horizontally and lightly pound them to even thickness. This ensures everything cooks uniformly.
- Season the Flour
In a shallow bowl, mix:
Flour
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
This layer creates a dry surface for the egg wash to cling to. It also adds an extra touch of crispness.
- Make the Egg Wash
In another bowl, whisk:
2 eggs
Milk
The egg mixture acts like glue between the flour and breadcrumbs.
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture
In a third bowl, combine:
Breadcrumbs
Parmesan
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Oregano
Thyme
The Parmesan cheese is important — it helps the coating brown beautifully and adds an umami-rich depth to the crust.
- Coat Each Cutlet
Follow this breading sequence:
Dry → Wet → Dry
- Flour: Coat the cutlet lightly and shake off excess.
- Egg: Dip in the egg wash on both sides.
- Breadcrumbs: Press each piece firmly into the breadcrumb mixture.
Make sure each cutlet is evenly coated so it bakes to the proper crispness.
🧈 6. Prepare the Butter Baking Tray
In a baking tray, pour all the melted garlic butter. It should cover the bottom of the tray.
Swirl so the butter spreads evenly.
Carefully place the breaded cutlets directly into the melted butter. The butter should touch the bottom of each cutlet but not drown them.
This method ensures the bottom crisps at the same time as the top — one of the secrets to this recipe’s amazing texture.
🔥 7. Bake
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Bake cutlets for 25 minutes, then flip them gently to let the other side crisp in the butter.
Continue baking for another 15–20 minutes until golden brown.
If you want an extra crunch, broil the top for 2–3 minutes before removing from the oven.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Golden Crispiness
- Don’t skip preheating
The oven must be hot from the moment the tray goes in.
- Use real butter
Margarine won’t give the same browning or flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd
Leave space between cutlets so air circulates.
- Use seasoned breadcrumbs or add your own
Herbs help create beautiful speckles of flavor and color.
- Rest the cutlets after baking
Let them sit 5 minutes to retain juiciness.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These crispy garlic butter cutlets pair well with:
Sides
Creamy mashed potatoes
Roasted vegetables (carrots, zucchini, potatoes)
Steamed rice or buttery herb rice
Fresh green salad
Pasta with garlic cream sauce
Sauces
Garlic mayo
Ranch
Honey mustard
Creamy mushroom gravy
Spicy chili mayo
🔄 Variations
- Lemon Garlic Cutlets
Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a little zest to the melted butter for a brighter flavor.
- Extra-Crispy Version
Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular ones.
- Spicy Version
Add:
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Chicken Instead of Pork
Same recipe works perfectly with chicken breast or turkey slices.
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Refrigeration
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freeze breaded (but unbaked) cutlets for up to 2 months.
Reheat
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes until crispy again.
Avoid microwaving — it makes the coating soggy.
❤️ Final Notes
This dish is beloved because it delivers everything people want in a comfort-food meal: rich buttery flavor, satisfying crunchy texture, juicy meat, and simple preparation. Even beginners can make this and impress everyone at the table.