Skinny Chef Myth-Busting: Schnitzel Isn't Sausage

Jennifer IserlohI'm not sure how this myth got started -- I used to believe it too, before I met my husband, who grew up in Germany. Every time I tell someone I'm making schnitzel for dinner, they talk about hot dog buns and sauerkraut. Then they try to convince me that I really meant sausage and they will go as far as to ambush random passersby to help corroborate their story.

In truth, the word schnitzel comes from the German term "schneiden" which means to cut, so schnitzel means cutlet. Thus, Wiener Schnitzel is not a cut-up hot dog, but rather a "cutlet from Vienna or Wien."

Now that we've got our P's and Q's in order, let's talk real breaded, crisp-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside schnitzel.

Wiener Schnitzel is my husband's favorite -- so I created a chicken version, because good veal is hard to find in my local grocery store and can be a bit pricey. I make my own whole-grain breadcrumbs, to give it a healthier twist, and use less oil then the traditional version. Yet it still comes out just as crisp, because I finish it off in the oven. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and a salad for a complete meal.


Get the Skinny Chef's Chicken Schnitzel recipe.