Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Tomatoes and Basil

One of my favorite dishes is a simple crispy, golden brown chicken cutlet. Using a meat mallet, I lightly pound the cutlets until they are of equal thickness. To keep things interesting, I try to find new ways of serving the chicken cutlets. Luckily, sweet campari tomatoes are available year round and make this dish easy to put together. The sweetness of the tomatoes combined with the fresh basil remind me of summertime.

Serves 4

For The Cutlets

• 4 Boneless chicken breasts, pounded thin
• 2 Cups of seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1/2 Cup of flour
• 1 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Course salt and freshly ground pepper

For The Tomato Topping

• 2 Pints campari or cherry tomatoes, cut into pieces
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil
• Course salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup Basil, sliced into thin strips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 

1. Mix together the tomato topping ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
2. Beat the eggs and dip the cutlets first into the flour, then eggs and then the breadcrumbs and press with your fingertips to help the crumbs adhere. 
3. Over medium heat, place the butter and olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the cutlets on each side for approximately 2 minutes until browned.  
4. Transfer the cutlets to a sheet pan and continue baking in the oven for an additional 10 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve on individual plates with a scoop of the fresh tomato basil topping.