Chicken Milanese Recipe (2024)

By Alexa Weibel

Updated Oct. 11, 2023

Chicken Milanese Recipe (1)

Total Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(995)
Notes
Read community notes

Chicken Milanese is a simple dish that makes chicken breasts seem positively lavish. Similar to Italian veal Milanese, this classic dish pairs hot and crispy breaded chicken with a cool and lemony salad. The recipe takes a little preparation, but the execution is easy: Pound lean chicken breasts until thin, bread them, then pan-fry until the bread crumbs are golden; the crust ensures that the chicken stays moist. While not traditional, this version adds onion powder, garlic powder and grated Parmesan to the breading. Experiment by adding spices, nuts and seeds to the bread crumbs, and cooked or raw fruits and vegetables to the greens. A swipe of mayonnaise on the plate? Unnecessary but sublime.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 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
  • cups 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

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

901 calories; 66 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 43 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 30 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 46 grams protein; 810 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Chicken Milanese Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Prepare the chicken: In a small bowl, stir together the onion powder, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 ½ teaspoons pepper.

  2. 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.

  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.)

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Step

    6

    Divide the chicken among plates and pile the salad on the side. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges for squeezing on top.

Ratings

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out of 5

995

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

mary m

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.

David Stone

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.

Paul ID

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!

Edith

When I make anything that needs to be pounded out, I put the cutlets or breasts or whatever into a clean cereal box liner. Fold the opening over, make sure the meat is flat on the counter and pound away. The bags are pretty hearty and won't break, and they prevent the meat from spraying "juices" all over you and your kitchen.

Umm, okay.

Cooked exactly according to directions. My Italian wife said it was "perfect". She wouldn't even give our spoiled cat a taste!

Hillaryn

I did something similar a few days ago using the ATK method for chicken parmigiana from their air fryer cookbook. Perfect! The bread crumbs are toasted in the microwave then mixed with grated parm and the egg is mixed with a bit of flour and spices. Dip the breast in the egg mix then the bread/parm mix. I always let the breaded chicken sit on a baking rack in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Then cook in air fryer. Crunchy outside juicy inside. Endless variations possible.

Dan Cantara

I usually use a mixture of approximately 2/3 panko and 1/3 "traditional" (unseasoned) breadcrumbs; I still get the added crunch of the panko but with better coverage overall. Also, resting the breaded cutlets on a cooling rack (uncovered) in the refrigerator for a few hours ensures a drier coating less susceptible to being "blown off" by steam generated during the cooking process.

Don

In many traditional Milanese or Schnitzel recipes the meat is not seasoned first because salting makes the meat weep and often the crispy coating doesn't stick properly. I have found early salting and time in the fridge before breading allows for the meat to be seasoned and patted dry prior to coating. Once breaded you can put back in the fridge and relax until time to fry making for a stress free evening

Frantzie

Chicken Milanese (or schnitzel - basically the same, I think) is versatile -basis for Chicken Parm, or a sandwich with Dijon/lettuce/tomato/bacon/avocado, or a simple entree with a side of potatoes and a green vegetable. Always tasty. I spray both sides of the breaded cutlet with cooking spray or misted olive oil, then bake (on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet) at 375-400 for about 8-10 minutes, then flip and finish cooking for about another 6-8 minutes. No mess, and always crispy.

Cliff Greenberg

I have been using a similar recipe for years from the former Berkeley CA restaurant Omnivore. The slight differences are in the coating: half grated parmesan and half seasoned croutons make the flavor profile instant. After dipping they go in the fridge for at least 1/2 hour for the coating to firm up, then sautéed in a little butter (Julia's orders) to reduce the oiliness. The same coatings/prep on oysters is magnificent.

Brie

The best way to avoid the mess from frying is to not fry. Try baking instead. If you aren't concerned with the added fat of frying anyway, you could just LIBERALLY spray with oil (both sides) or you can even mix your fat with the coating before breading. Then just flip them once or twice while cooking. I use non-stick foil for easy clean up. They won't be exactly the same as fried but close enough to make less clean up worth it.

Wideeyedraven

One of the best tips I’ve ever gotten for a dish like this is to have a low oven on the go and when finish frying; put the cutlets on a wire rack on a tray and pop that in. You can hold there without sogginess for about 15-20 mins. Helps a ton.

Lorraine Fina Stevenski

I don't bother making such a small amount as there are so many great ways to use the leftovers. Chicken cutlets are so good for a lunch sandwich, sliced on top of a salad, making Parmigiano. I use home made toasted bread crumbs instead of flour.

Frances C

Living in Argentina, Milanesas were a staple. Way before Panko, I just used regular bread crumbs plus the seasoning. With Chicken I didn't even do the flour and egg, just passed the thin cutlets through milk and the bread crumbs. when done, squeeze lemon and your good to go. With meat, I used egg mixed with garlic and parsley and then the bread. There are many ways to fancy them up, but the best is with a squeeze of lemon and a salad with vinegrette.

Rosemary in CA

The NYTCooking daily email had an excellent recommendation from Margaux Laskey: Pound the cutlets between sheets of parchment or plastic wrap. And while you're at it, make extra and then roll them up between the parchment & freeze. _That's a useful tip.And if you're interested in this recipe, you should also look at Ali Slagle's option with a sour cream & onion topping: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021131-crispy-sour-cream-and-onion-chicken

pbml

Absolute perfection. Now a household favorite. The only dish I cook that elicits a “yessss” from every member of the family.

MLR

Wow. This was fantastic. I followed the recipe precisely. My only comment is that I don’t believe the nutritional are correct.

Dan the Wannabe Cook

I added some minced parsley to the breading. Used 3 eggs to make sure I did not run out. Very flavorful!

Liz Beech

Another keeper. A far cry from the Aussie pub staple, snitty “(we can’t manage the ‘sch’ combo). Really liked the garlic/onion powder mix and the “parmie “ in the crumbs. Accompanying salad delicious, light, astringent and a perfect foil for the rich crust on the chicken. Not much for leftovers. Make more next time.

Cook As Directed

Even the finicky eaters at the table enjoyed this recipe. I didn't change a thing in the cooking, and even did a vegan patty with the same breading and it came out nicely. We paired with a Russian River Valley Chardonnay and that was lovely.

Jennifer H

delicious! used canola oil for frying and slap ya mama seasoning in place of the garlic and onion powder. 3 mins per side was crispy/juicy perfection!

tkhuffaker

You can cook this in a lot less oil and it still comes out crispy.

Joe

This was delicious, but next time I’m going to halve the salt just to experiment a bit. The olive oil and lemon salad dressing was outstanding.

Janet

Add cayenne pepper to onion Powder mixture and to panko and flour mixture.

Sarah

To air fry instead, preheat air fryer to 400°. Generously spray breaded chicken with olive oil to coat. Cook each breast for 7 minutes turning once halfway.

Heavy D

I actually like reading these and other recipe comments. "Well my mother used to do this... My grandmother used to do this... Instead of this, use that..." Well, that would be almost another recipe entirely folks! Here's my comment, "Cooked this with my new wife over the summer, very tasty.. oh and the fish was too!"

Jarvis

Simple and very delish!

Brushjl

Delicious! I love breaded chicken breasts and the seasonings made it even better.

KAN

Way too much salt. If one doesn’t have onion and garlic powder, could adobo be substituted?

Heavy D

Why not?

mizmac

Prepared this following notes from others to refrigerate prior to sautéing. Also, I didn’t have panko so used crushed ritz. This was amazingly delicious. Salad was perfection and squeeze of lemon over the whole plate was the final touch. So yum. Thanks NYT cooking.

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Chicken Milanese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between chicken Milanese and chicken cutlets? ›

Milanese style refers to dredging thin slices of meat in a combination of eggs and breadcrumbs before frying them until golden brown. What is the difference between chicken cutlet and chicken Milanese? A chicken cutlet is a chicken breast sliced horizontally to make two thinner pieces.

Do you put egg or flour in chicken cutlets first? ›

Dip each breast into the flour, then shake off the excess. Next, run the breast through the egg to coat it lightly and hold the chicken over the liquid to let any excess fall back into the bowl. Finally, lay the chicken in the bread crumbs, turn it over and press it into the breading to coat.

What is chicken Milanese made of? ›

What is Chicken Milanese? If you've never heard of Chicken Milanese before – it's a chicken cutlet that's pounded thin, breaded in Panko bread crumbs, and then fried in olive oil. The result is a super crispy, juicy, and flavorful piece of chicken.

What's the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken Milanese? ›

What's the Difference Between Chicken Milanese and Chicken Parmesan? Chicken parmesan is made with fried cutlets that are topped with red sauce and cheese, while these Milanese cutlets are served with a simple squeeze of lemon and a little basil oil, if you like.

Is Milanese the same as schnitzel? ›

The primary difference between the Viennese Schnitzel of Austria and the Cotoletta alla Milanese or Veal Milanese of Italy is the cut of meat. Both are traditionally made from calf and the Milanese comes from the loin with the bone-in, while the schnitzel is without bone and comes from the flank or rump.

What is the difference between chicken piccata and chicken Milanese? ›

To make it a Milanese you need to make a sauce by deg-lazing the pan with white wine and a little lemon juice and then finish it off with a tab of butter. Then to make it a Piccata you add a small jar of capers. Voila dinner 3 ways! Salt and pepper both sides of the cutlets, dredge lightly in flour.

How do you keep breading from falling off chicken cutlets? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

Can you use milk instead of egg for cutlets? ›

Can you use milk instead of eggs? As long as you coat the cutlets in a layer of flour first, you can substitute milk in place of eggs for the next layer.

Should I soak chicken cutlets in milk? ›

These enzymes and acids work together in order to break down the proteins allowing the chicken meat to become tenderer. This is the reason why chefs soak chicken in yogurt or milk overnight before cooking it. The marinade will yield for a better result especially when you plan to fry the chicken.

Why is it called Milanese? ›

Milanese watch bands, called by the Italian town Milan, where they originate from. Milanese mesh straps are known by the unique design of the mesh work, which gives the distinctive look to any watch they're combined with. The design can be traced back far to the 13th century, when it was used as a special chain-mail.

Should chicken Milanese be pink? ›

Ensure the breasts are fully coated and season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan and fry the chicken for 5–7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through with no traces of pink.

What is chicken Milanese called? ›

Due to its shape, it is often called oreggia d'elefant in Milanese or orecchia d'elefante in Italian, meaning 'elephant's ear'. A common variation made with chicken is popular in English-speaking countries and bears the name "chicken Milanese" (Italian: pollo alla milanese).

What's the difference between chicken Paillard and chicken Milanese? ›

From my experience, the meat or poultry is pounded thin before dipping. “Paillard” is the term used for the beef, veal or chicken that has been pounded thin before sauteing or cooking alla Milanese style.

What do Italians call chicken parm? ›

Chicken parmesan or chicken parmigiana (Italian: pollo alla parmigiana) is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone.

Why isn t chicken parm called chicken mozzarella? ›

“Why is it called chicken parmesan if the cheese chefs use is mozzarella?” It's a great question and one that isn't so easy to answer! Some believe that it was created in Parma, hence the name.

What is another name for chicken cutlets? ›

(Most of the time, people just say “cutlets.” Like “Mom's making cutlets for dinner.”) Where I'm from, we just would've said fried chicken breasts. There are many names for this tasty treat depending on where in the world you're from – like schnitzel, cotoletta, milanesa, and escalope to name a few.

What is considered a chicken cutlet? ›

Let's start with the simplest concept: chicken cutlets. Chicken cutlets are boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been sliced in half horizontally, creating a thinner piece of meat. These cutlets are then often pounded even thinner before cooking.

What is the difference between chicken cutlets and chicken breast? ›

A cutlet is simply a thin piece of chicken breast. MOST importantly, it's a solution for easy weeknight cooking because they cook fast! ⏰ You can buy them as cutlets at the grocery store, or evenly slice through a full chicken breast.

What is the difference between chicken Milanese and chicken French? ›

While chicken Milanese is a bit more invigorating, thanks to a varnish of breadcrumbs, chicken Francese presents a refined texture with a subtle eggy richness. Moreover, the choice of dredging ingredients influences how each fare interacts with accompanying sauces or garnishes.

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