
Upgrade your burger night with these crispy, golden-fried chicken cutlets topped with melted mozzarella and a vibrant, homemade rocket pesto. It's a fresh and flavorful fusion of classic Italian flavors and a hearty pub-style burger.
Prepare the rocket pesto: Place the peeled garlic clove, rocket, pine nuts, parmesan, and lemon juice into a mini food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are coarsely chopped. While the processor is running, slowly pour in the olive oil and blend until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
Toast the buns and prep the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Place the burger buns cut-side down and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside. Slice the chicken breast in half horizontally to create two thin, even cutlets. Lightly season both sides with salt.
Set up the breading station: Preheat your grill (broiler) to high. In one shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, garlic granules, dried mixed herbs, and finely grated parmesan. In a second bowl, beat the egg. In a third bowl, place the plain flour and season it generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, dip into the egg, and finally press into the panko mixture until fully coated.
Cook and assemble: Heat the remaining vegetable oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until the coating is golden-crisp and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a baking tray, top each piece with mozzarella slices, and grill for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden. To assemble, spread pesto on the bun bases, add the chicken, and top with the remaining bun halves. Serve immediately.
For an even crispier coating, ensure the oil is hot before adding the chicken. If you don't have pine nuts, toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds make an excellent substitute in the pesto. You can also add a slice of tomato or extra fresh rocket to the burger for added crunch.





