Crispy pesto chicken

Directions

Prepare the Chicken

1. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut each chicken breast in half through the middle to give you two thin flat pieces (you can ask your butcher to do this for you, if you like). 
2. Sprinkle the flour into a shallow bowl or pan, then beat the eggs in another. 
3. Tear the bread into a food processor, add the pesto and two tablespoons of olive oil, blitz into crumbs, then tip into a pan. 
4. Now get a production line going, turning each piece of chicken in the flour until evenly coated, then dipping in the egg, letting any excess drip. Finally turn the chicken in the pesto crumbs, taking a moment to flatten each piece on a board with your palm, pressing in the crumbs to help them stick. 
5. Stack up the coated chicken in a pan, cover and refrigerate overnight.

To Serve

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. 
2. Lay the coated chicken across two baking pans. Bake the chicken on the top two racks for 20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through, turning halfway. 
3. Serve with lemon wedges, for squeezing over.

TIP: Swap in 1⁄2-inch-thick slices of zucchini, eggplant or mushroom for any veggie guests – simply flour, egg and breadcrumb before you do the chicken, and bake on a lightly oiled pan. 

Together by Jamie Oliver is published in Canada by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd © Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited (2021 Together). Photography: David Loftus. 

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