Now I'm not about to suggest that fried chicken cutlets are the key to a healthy marriage, but they certainly help to keep husbands happy. Well mine, at least. Pete loves breaded, fried anything, but chicken cutlets are his favorite. He loves them and they make him happy. I think they bring back childhood memories or something. The love is real and true.

Me on the other hand, I try my very best to eat light and healthy. Really, I do! Being over 40 and carrying around a post-baby/no-time-to-work-out body will do that to a girl. But diet-bending a bit for love is worth extra calories, painful splatter, greasy paper towels and pan and entire kitchen...

I have to admit, pan fried chicken cutlets are truly delicious. To these, I add fresh parsley and lemon zest to the bread crumb mixture to take them to a zippy new level. At the end, when they are resting, I add a lemon spritz and parsley garnish. They taste so fresh & light, it makes you completely forget that you're eating something that's been dredged in breading and FRIED IN OIL!!!!

Make a big batch because you'll use them later in the week when your husband is mad about your AMEX bill, or use them for sandwiches, salads, etc. They're magically zesty & delicious.

What you'll need:

6 chicken cutlets, pounded out under clear wrap or in a large plastic food bag
2 eggs, lightly whisked with a splash of water
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 lemon, zest and juice for seasoning
1 cup vegetable oil

What you'll do:

Add oil to large, stainless skillet and heat on medium-high. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, add eggs and splash of water, salt and pepper, whisk. In a second shallow bowl or rimmed plate, add bread crumbs, cheese, 1/2 of the parsley and lemon zest.

Salt and pepper your chicken cutlets, then dredge each cutlet in the egg and then into the bread crumbs and place in the hot skillet.

Don't crowd your pan, it will reduce the heat. Rather, brown the chicken in batches. Once browned on each side, set on a plate with sheets of paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Once all of the chicken is browned, place on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Then, sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley and lemon.

How do you make your chicken cutlets? Do they inspire your other half to do dishes?

xo & a pinch,

Kelly