Za'atar Crusted Chicken Schnitzel

Za'atar is a tasty Middle Eastern spice mixture which I had mentioned in an earlier posting (http://viaggiviniecucine.blogspot.com/2015/02/zaatar-zaatar-pleasant-and-flexible.html)  It worked very nicely in this easy recipe which I found at http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/zaatar-crusted-chicken-schnitzel. 

The version below serves four and is approximately half the original recipe.

Ingredients

- 3/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

- 1tbsp za'atar

- 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 

- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 

- 1 large egg

- 1 egg white 

- 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts 

- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 

- Cooking spray

- 1/2 lemon, cut into 4 wedges (optional) 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine panko, za'atar, sesame seeds, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Place eggs and egg white in another shallow dish; lightly beat with a fork. Sprinkle chicken with remaining 1/24teaspoon salt and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Dredge  breast halves in panko mixture, then egg mixture. Dredge again in panko mixture.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts to pan. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned, turning carefully with a spatula. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

4. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until done. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.