Tahini Chicken Schnitzel 🕎🍗
✨ Eight Nights, Eight Bites ✨
Night 5: Tahini Chicken Schnitzel 🕎🍗
Night five of Hanukkah is all about savory comfort, and this tahini chicken schnitzel truly takes things to the next level! 🙌
The chicken is dredged in tahini and sesame seeds, then fried until golden and crispy, while a bright, lemony tahini sauce and quick pickled shallots bring everything together. It’s crunchy, nutty, fresh, and deeply satisfying all at once!
This recipe comes from @ottolenghi, and it’s the kind of dish that feels special enough for Hanukkah but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
Five nights down, and the frying continues. 🕯️
Ingredients 🛒
• 2 shallots, peeled and sliced
• 3 tbsp lemon juice, divided
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup tahini + 1/4 cup, divided
• 3.5 tbsp dijon mustard, divided
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup sesame seeds
• 1/3 cup flour
• 4 skinless chicken breasts, flattened thin
• 1 1/4 cups avocado oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Directions ✍️
• Preheat oven to 450F.
• Into a small bowl, add in the shallot, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Toss to combine.
• In another small bowl for the dressing, add in the 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1.5 tbsp dijon mustard, garlic, parsley, and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk together.
• Take out 3 shallow plates. Into one plate, whisk the eggs, 1/3 cup tahini, 2 tbsp dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp of water.
• Into the second plate mix the panko, sesame seeds, and a teaspoon of salt.
• Into the third plate, add the flour.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Now dredge the breasts into the flour, followed by the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumbs.
• Pour the oil into the pan on medium-high heat. Cook 1-2 breasts at a time for 2 minutes per side. Remove the breasts and place onto a baking dish and bake in the oven for 7 minutes.
• Serve with the pickled shallots on top and the tahini dressing. Enjoy!
Bon Appétit! 👨🍳
#hanukkah #chanukah #chickenschnitzel #chickenrecipes #easydinner
For fans of Hanukkah dishes looking to bring a fresh twist to traditional comfort food, this Tahini Chicken Schnitzel recipe is a perfect choice. Using tahini—a creamy sesame seed paste—adds a rich and nutty flavor to the classic schnitzel, harmonizing beautifully with the crispy panko and sesame seed coating. The quick-pickled shallots elevate the dish, providing a tangy crunch that cuts through the richness, while the lemony tahini dressing offers a bright and creamy finish. This recipe balances textures and flavors skillfully: juicy, tender chicken breasts are flattened thin to ensure even cooking and crispiness, then dredged in flour, an egg-tahini mixture, and a panko-sesame seed crust before being pan-fried and finished in the oven. Using avocado oil for frying brings a mild taste and a high smoke point, making it ideal for achieving that golden crust. Adding fresh parsley and garlic to the tahini dressing brings herbal and savory notes that complement the dish well. Also, the divided use of lemon juice—both in pickling the shallots and in the dressing—enhances freshness and adds zesty brightness. This recipe, inspired by renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi, is not only perfect for Hanukkah celebrations across eight nights but is also simple and quick enough for busy weeknight meals. Whether you're hosting festive dinners or want to try a unique chicken schnitzel variant, this tahini-enriched recipe stands out for its unique flavor profile and comforting appeal. To customize, you can experiment with adding spices like cumin or smoked paprika to the breadcrumb mixture for extra warmth. Serving it alongside roasted vegetables, a crisp salad, or even on a sandwich bun with fresh greens can diversify meal options. This dish also pairs wonderfully with a light white wine or sparkling water with lemon. Incorporating tahini into more savory recipes like this schnitzel highlights its versatility beyond traditional Middle Eastern desserts or dips. Home cooks seeking to explore creative ways to celebrate Hanukkah or enjoy flavorful chicken recipes will find this Tahini Chicken Schnitzel a rewarding and memorable culinary experience.
