Chicken Milanese
Updated Oct. 10, 2023

- Total Time
- 40 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 30 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 1teaspoon onion powder
- 1teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
- 2boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10 ounces each)
- ½cup all-purpose flour
- 2large eggs, beaten
- 1¼cups panko bread crumbs
- ½cup finely grated Parmesan plus ½ cup shaved Parmesan
- About 1 cup olive oil (or neutral oil), for pan-frying, plus 3 tablespoons for the salad
- 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
- 5ounces arugula (about 5 packed cups)
- 1cup cherry tomatoes (optional), halved
Preparation
- Step 1
Prepare the chicken: In a small bowl, stir together the onion powder, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 ½ teaspoons pepper.
- Step 2
Set each chicken breast on a cutting board. Set one palm on top of one breast to hold it still then use a chef’s knife with the other hand to slice the breast in half horizontally. Repeat with the second chicken breast, then, using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet, pound each piece until no more than ⅓-inch thick. Season generously on both sides with half the seasoned salt.
- Step 3
Set the flour and eggs into two separate shallow bowls. To a third, add the panko, finely grated Parmesan and the remaining seasoned salt and stir to combine. Dip one piece of chicken into the flour to coat all over, then transfer to the eggs and turn to coat. Add to the panko mixture and turn, pressing panko into it until fully coated. Transfer to a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken. (The breaded chicken will hold in the refrigerator for a few hours.)
- Step 4
In a medium nonstick skillet, heat a ½-inch layer of oil over medium-high. Working in two batches, add the breaded chicken and cook, undisturbed, until golden on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. (You could also cook them all at once in a large skillet, though you’ll need twice the amount of oil to do so.) Transfer to a wire rack and lightly sprinkle with additional salt, if desired.
- Step 5
While the chicken cooks, prepare the salad: In a large bowl, whisk to combine the olive oil and lemon juice; season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the arugula, cherry tomatoes (if using) and shaved Parmesan; toss to coat then season to taste again with salt and pepper.
- Step 6
Divide the chicken among plates and pile the salad on the side. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges for squeezing on top.
Private Notes
Comments
At least 15 minutes in the refrigerator before frying really firms up the breading so you don’t loose any in the pan. My mother’s hint.
Brushing the cut chicken breasts with vodka before dipping will make for a crispier cutlet when frying. The vodka will dissipate and not leave any taste.
I don't find it necessary to pound the split and butterflied breasts in recipes that use cutlets. The thicker meat stays juicer and is more forgiving. Thin cutlets cook too quickly often resulting in over cooked meat and/or undercooked breading. I also skip the flour step which leads to a thicker, gluey texture breading. The meat goes into the beaten eggs and straight into the breadcrumb. Who doesn't like to save a step and a dish and produce a better result!
This was soooo good... Made April 2026- Salad good... put the onion/ garlic into the flour mixture. I also used chinese panko and seasoned and did crush in mini chopper. Also put breaded cutlets in fridge ... used a combo of avocado and olive oil - it was honest the best and served w/ orzo on the side... buttered with starchy water and some parm ... very tasty meal
I learned from an exceptional Japanese tonkatsu (pork cutlet) chef in Tokyo a key to cooking fried cutlets perfectly. Heat the oil and maintain it at 320 deg F. Use an instant read thermometer. Cook the cutlet until it is a nice golden in color - just before it starts to turn brown. Check the oil temperature regularly and adjust heat as necessary to stay as close to 320F as reasonably possible. This removes the guesswork from frying a perfect cutlet.
My kids gave this a unanimous 4.9 out of 5, which was generous considering I forgot to buy panko and compensated by double dredging the chicken in flour (mixed with the seasonings and parmesan). They both felt it needed some kind of sauce, hence the .1 point deduction. Tough crowd! I felt proud that I fried something without burning down the house.
