Chicken Schnitzel

Schnitzel traveled to Israel with Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Central Europe, who swapped the original veal for affordable chicken. It became a Friday-night ritual and a lunchbox icon, sold on every corner in a pita with salad and hummus. Crisp, golden, and endlessly comforting, it is the dish Israelis crave when they want something familiar.

Crisp enough to hear across the room

Pounded thin and fried fast, the cutlet develops a shatteringly crunchy crust while the meat inside stays moist and tender. A squeeze of lemon cuts through the richness, and the paprika-spiked breadcrumbs give the coating a warm, savory depth. Pile the schnitzel onto a plate with mashed potatoes and Israeli salad for a classic Friday dinner, or tuck it into warm pita with hummus for a quick lunch on the go. However you serve it, that first crackling bite tastes like home, and the platter rarely makes it around the table twice.

Craving more? Explore all Israeli Kitchen recipes.

Stocking a Middle Eastern pantry? Our guide to 20 essential Middle Eastern pantry ingredients covers everything this dish uses.

Israeli recipes →