Everyone has foods that they could eat again and again, and for me, Chicken Milanese is one of them. This version is an air fryer recipe, but I’ve included directions for the baked and the traditional fried varieties.
Any way you cook it, Chicken Milanese is a delicious chicken dish with a crispy, lightly breaded exterior that seals in the chicken’s natural juices. It’s delicious over pasta, on a sandwich, or in salads.
Once you learn how easy this recipe is, it’ll be one you turn to again and again!
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What Is Chicken Milanese?
A protein that is cooked in the Milanese style is dredged in flour, dipped in egg, then breaded with a mixture of Italian bread crumbs and grated parmesan cheese. Then it’s traditionally fried in oil, but in our version we create a lighter version using the air fryer.
Chicken Milanese is a popular dish today, but it originated as a veal dish. It was likely brought to the United States by immigrants from the northern region of Italy. Veal Milanese is one of the best known dishes of Milan, alongside risotto and the holiday favorite panettone.
Do I Have to Use the Air Fryer?
No!
The air fryer, at least in my opinion, makes this dish a lot easier to prepare. And you can’t discount that air fryers make food lighter and healthier, too. But traditional foods become that way for a delicious reason.
To Pan Fry: To prepare this the conventional way, heat about 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil in a large skillet. Cook chicken in small batches, about 3 minutes per side. Add additional oil as needed. Set on paper towels to drain after cooking.
To Bake: For another lighter option, you can bake the breaded chicken in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425F. Lay the breaded chicken on a baking sheet and spritz with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip and bake another 5 to 10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165F.
Do You Have Tips or Tricks?
Yes!
- If you can’t find thin sliced chicken breasts, you can butterfly-cut breasts and pound to 1/4″ thick.
- Be sure to shake off excess flour before dipping into the egg. This will allow the breading to adhere more evenly.
- Refrigerating the breaded chicken for about 30 minutes before cooking (no matter what method you use) will help to ensure the breading stays on the chicken.
- You can prep this dish the day before. Bread the chicken and store the breasts in a 9×13″ pan, using wax paper between layers if necessary. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead of time.
- You can freeze cooked Chicken Milanese. Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature, then wrap each piece in plastic wrap. This will keep the breasts from freezing together and will also halp the breading to remain in place. Store wrapped chicken breasts in a Ziploc freezer bag or freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 1 month.
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Directions
- Prepare for the breading process. Mix together flour, salt, and pepper and place on a plate. Beat the eggs in a wide dish and place next to flour. Finally, combine grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs on a plate, placing it next to the beaten egg.
- Rinse each chicken breast and pat dry.
- Dredge each breast in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip the dredged breast in beaten egg, covering both sides.
- Finally, coat breasts with breadcrumb mixture, pressing crumbs onto chicken gently.
- Lay chicken breasts in air fryer basket and spritz with olive oil on both sides.
- Air fry in basket at 400 F for 3 minutes. Turn and air fry for 3 more minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
What Should I Serve With Chicken Milanese?
- For a comforting meal, try pairing the chicken with Lazy Day Baked Mac and Cheese
- Make extra sauce to drizzle over the chicken if you serve it with Spaghetti with Mushroom and Thyme Browned Butter Sauce
- Zesty Italian Tortellini Salad is a refreshing side that goes great with chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Milanese
Difficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes6
minutes21
minutesChicken Milanese is a delicious chicken dish with a crispy, lightly breaded exterior that seals in the chicken’s natural juices.
Ingredients
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
Olive oil spray
Directions
- Prepare for the breading process. Mix together flour, salt, and pepper and place on a plate. Beat the eggs in a wide dish and place next to flour. Finally, combine grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs on a plate, placing it next to the beaten egg.
- Rinse each chicken breast and pat dry.
- Dredge each breast in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip the dredged breast in beaten egg, covering both sides.
- Finally, coat breasts with breadcrumb mixture, pressing crumbs onto chicken gently.
- Lay chicken breasts in air fryer basket and spritz with olive oil on both sides.
- Air fry in basket at 400 F for 3 minutes. Turn and air fry for 3 more minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
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