Monday Martha Moment # 5

Martha & Michelle: Breaded Chicken Breast Edition

This week’s challenge was Martha’s Breaded Chicken Breasts, a recipe that at first glance felt very familiar. Breaded chicken is one of those go to meals that I’ve made dozens of times before, but I wanted to see if Martha’s version would bring anything new to the table.

The technique itself is what really shines in this recipe. There are a few small but important steps that make all the difference. First, you fillet the chicken breasts and pound them thin. This makes them cook more evenly and much faster. I like to place mine on a cutting board and cover the top with a sheet of plastic wrap before pounding. This keeps the mess to a minimum.

Next, Martha emphasizes patting the chicken dry before dredging. I used to think this step didn't matter but it really helps the coating stick better. She also seasons the flour and breadcrumbs with just salt, which creates a clean, classic flavor. Personally, I tend to go heavier on spices, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper are my usual additions. So I found that her version tasted a little more plain to me. Still, the breading came out beautifully crisp.

The order of dredging, flour first, then egg, then breadcrumbs, is also my preferred method. It gives the chicken that perfect golden crust. I even thought about how easy it would be to turn this into a chicken Parmesan by adding some grated Parmesan to the breadcrumbs and topping it with marinara and mozzarella.

Overall, I’d give Martha’s technique a 10/10, but the flavor left me wanting a little more. If you’re someone who prefers simple and classic, you’ll love this exactly as written. If you’re like me and enjoy a punch of extra flavor, you’ll want to add in a few seasonings to the flour or breadcrumbs.

I’ll be honest, I felt a little underwhelmed this week because the recipe didn’t push me outside of my comfort zone. That’s the beauty of this challenge: sometimes it’s about refining the basics, and sometimes it’s about stretching yourself. Next week, I’m ready for a challenge. I’ve got my eye on Martha’s roast chicken with mashed potatoes, and if I'm feeling ambitious I'll aim for the apple pie as well.

Stay tuned because that one could either be a complete triumph or total chaos in my kitchen.