Our
What we really love about this ridiculously easy recipe is that it comes together in less than 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. From the golden, crispy chicken to the refreshing and zesty salad, you won’t be able to get enough of this delicious dish!
Table of Contents
- What is Chicken Milanese?
- What is Chicken Milanese Made Of?
- Golden Crunch Meets Fresh Zest – A Guide to Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Flair
- Tips for Success
- Serving Suggestions
- Make Ahead Option
- How to Store and Reheat
- Common Questions About This Chicken Milanese Recipe
- More Chicken Recipes to Try
- Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad Recipe
What is Chicken Milanese?
Milanese chicken is a type of breaded and pan-fried protein dish originating from Milan, Italy. You can find it made with veal, pork, or chicken. Chicken is clearly our favorite variation!
Cooked in oil, the breading becomes crispy and golden on the outside, and the chicken stays tender and juicy. There are many variations of the dish, but we love to add a Mediterranean salad for extra refreshing flavor.
We also swap the pan frying technique for the
What is Chicken Milanese Made Of?
Traditional recipes provide lots of savory flavor thanks to herbaceous seasonings and plenty of parmesan cheese, and this version is no different! Here’s what you need:
For the Chicken
- Chicken – Use large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and flatten them into thin pieces. Or, feel free to substitute chicken cutlets.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, and smoked paprika enhance the flavor of the dish, adding just a touch of warmth, too.
- Eggs – These are crucial for the breading to cling to the chicken.
- Flour – All-purpose flour forms the base of the breading.
- Breadcrumbs – We use Italian herb breadcrumbs to add extra flavor to the chicken. If regular breadcrumbs are all you have, just add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning!
- Parmesan Cheese – For the best taste and texture, use freshly grated parmesan cheese.
For the Salad
- Tomatoes – We use cherry tomatoes, but grape tomatoes also work.
- Cucumbers – Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers are best as they have a thinner skin and fewer seeds than other varieties.
- Olives – We use a combination of Kalamata olives and green olives to add a pop of color, healthy fats, and a briny flavor.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is best!
- Feta – Use a block of full-fat feta cheese, and grate it over the salad. It’s a little extra work, but the tangy taste and creamy texture are so worth it!
- Olive Oil – This forms the base of the dressing, adding peppery flavor and healthy fats.
Golden Crunch Meets Fresh Zest – A Guide to Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Flair
Before you begin, be sure to preheat your air fryer so it has plenty of time to get nice and hot!
- Season the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Dredge. Dredge the chicken breasts in a bowl of flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Then, dip them into a bowl of beaten eggs, followed by the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Repeat, dipping them in the eggs and breadcrumbs once more. Use your fingers to press the breading into the chicken and ensure it sticks!
- Arrange. Grease the
air fryer basket with cooking spray. Then, arrange the breaded chicken breasts in an even layer, leaving space between each piece. Spritz the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. - Cook. Air fry until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through.
- Prepare the salad. While the chicken cooks, combine all the ingredients except for the cheese for the Meditteranean salad in a bowl. Toss to combine, and sprinkle the feta cheese on top.
- Serve. Plate your chicken Milanese, add the salad on the side, and enjoy warm!
Tips for Success
- Use Tongs. To keep your hands clean, use tongs to pick up and dredge the chicken in each bowl.
- Work in Batches. Air fry your chicken in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding the basket. If the pieces overlap, they won’t become golden and crisp!
- Check for Doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is safe to eat.
- Rest the Chicken. Set the chicken aside for about five minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping it juicy all the way through.
Serving Suggestions
While our Milanese chicken recipe is a satisfying and complete meal on its own, adding an extra side or two can take this dish to the next level! You can never go wrong with options like:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Easy Garlic Bread
- Oven Roasted Parmesan Brussel Sprouts
- Parmesan Oven Roasted Carrots
Make Ahead Option
If you want to prepare in advance, feel free to bread the chicken. Then, instead of baking, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to a day.
When you’re ready to eat, air fry as usual, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four to five days. Keep any leftover salad in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator for one to two days.
Reheat the chicken in the
Common Questions About This Chicken Milanese Recipe
Milanese is a cooking method that involves dredging pieces of meat in eggs and breadcrumbs before cooking. Meanwhile, a chicken cutlet is a chicken breast that is sliced horizontally to create two thin pieces of meat.
Chicken parmesan is a dish made with fried chicken cutlets topped with red sauce and cheese. On the other hand, chicken parmigiana is breaded chicken cutlets seasoned with warm herbs and pan-fried until crisp.
To prepare something Milanese (or Milanesa) is to dredge thinly sliced pieces of meat in flour, eggs, and season breadcrumbs before frying them.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
If you’re looking for more chicken recipes packed with both protein and flavor, we’ve got you covered!
- Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken
- Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka Recipe
- Lemon Greek Chicken and Potatoes
- One Pot Chicken and Orzo
- Mediterranean Chicken Marinade Recipes (4 Ways)
Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts halved and flattened
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Italian herb breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Cooking spray
For the Salad:
- 1/3 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped cucumbers
- 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup sliced green olives
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated feta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.2 large chicken breasts, Salt, Pepper
- In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs, and season with salt and pepper.3 large eggs
- Place the flour in another shallow bowl, and season with salt and pepper.1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- In a third shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to create the breading mixture.1 cup Italian herb breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour. Then dip them into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are fully coated. Then, dunk the chicken back in the eggs.
- Coat the chicken breasts with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.Cooking spray
- Place the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Spray the tops of the chicken breasts lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the salad. In a bowl, combine the sliced cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, Kalamata olives, green olives, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Toss to combine.1/3 cup sliced cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped cucumbers, 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives, 1/4 cup sliced green olives, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 lemon, 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- Once the chicken is cooked, serve hot with the Mediterranean salad on top, and sprinkle grated feta cheese over the salad.1/4 cup grated feta cheese
- Enjoy the delicious Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad!
Equipment
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Nutrition
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So simple to make, and the salad is delicious!
I don’t have an air fryer. Should I bake the chicken or sauté it?
We would bake it!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Love your recipe’s follow you all the time.
Thank you so much, Lesley! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa