Air-Fried Milanese Chicken: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Chicken Milanese is a classic Italian dish that is surprisingly easy and quick to make. The dish involves thin, pounded cutlets of chicken coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust, traditionally served with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and greens like arugula. This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. It is generally considered healthier than traditional fried chicken Milanese as it requires less oil, reducing the calorie and fat content.

Chicken cutlets preparation

Chicken cutlets are thin slices of chicken that are dredged in flour and breadcrumbs and then fried. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare chicken cutlets for Air Fryer Chicken Milanese:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Place your hand flat on top of a chicken breast and carefully slice it in half horizontally. You should now have two thinner chicken cutlets. Place the cutlets in a large plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken until it is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Set Up the Dredging Station

You will need three shallow dishes, such as cake pans, pie tins, or dinner plates. Make sure that the dishes are large enough to fit the cutlet without folding. In the first dish, place the flour. In the second dish, beat one or two eggs with a small amount of water. In the third dish, combine the breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, dried oregano, garlic powder, and salt (optional). Mix the breadcrumb mixture well.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour to coat lightly, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking. Place the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap or touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil. Air fry the chicken for about 6 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dredging and coating

Firstly, you'll need to prepare three shallow dishes or bowls for the dredging process. You can use cake pans, pie tins, or dinner plates. Just ensure they are shallow enough so that the chicken can lie flat without folding over. Line up the dishes in the order of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.

Now, let's begin the dredging and coating!

Step 1: Dredge in Flour

The first step is to coat the chicken cutlets lightly with flour. Use a shallow dish or bowl, and make sure to coat both sides of the chicken evenly. You can use any type of flour, including gluten-free options. The flour helps create a sticky surface for the subsequent coatings to adhere to.

Step 2: Dip in Egg

Next, dip the floured chicken into a shallow dish of beaten eggs. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated on both sides, allowing any excess to drip off. The egg acts as a binding agent, creating a sticky surface for the breadcrumbs to cling to.

Step 3: Coat with Breadcrumbs

The final step is to coat the chicken with breadcrumbs. Combine the breadcrumbs with other dry ingredients like Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Gently press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it adheres evenly to both sides. If using an air fryer, consider adding a little oil to the breadcrumb mixture for a lighter texture and more even browning.

Once all the chicken pieces have been dredged and coated, they are ready for cooking. Remember to preheat your air fryer to 400°F before adding the chicken in batches, ensuring they don't overlap for even cooking.

Enjoy the delicious, crispy, and juicy Milanese chicken!

Air fryer settings

To make Milanese chicken in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer to 400°F. The exact cook time will depend on the number of chicken cutlets you are cooking and the size of your air fryer, but you should expect it to take around 10 minutes to cook through.

Before you start cooking, prepare your chicken cutlets by slicing the chicken breasts in half and pounding them to a thickness of around 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

Next, set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place flour. In the second, beat an egg with a tablespoon of water. In the third, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings like dried thyme and dried oregano. You can also add a little oil to the breadcrumbs to promote even browning.

Now you are ready to start dredging! First, coat both sides of a chicken breast in flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this process for all of your chicken cutlets.

Once your air fryer has preheated, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking. Place the breaded chicken breasts in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap or touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Spritz the top of the chicken with oil spray, and then air fry at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

You can keep cooked cutlets warm and crisp in the oven at 185°F while you cook the rest of the batch.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for Air Fryer Chicken Milanese can vary slightly depending on the recipe and the size of your air fryer. However, most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cooking the chicken for around 10 minutes, turning it halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.

For example, one recipe suggests cooking the chicken at 400°F for 7 minutes, turning it over halfway. Another recipe recommends cooking at the same temperature for 6 to 7 minutes, again turning it halfway, until the crumbs are golden brown and the centre is no longer pink.

A third recipe advises preheating the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes and then air frying the chicken at the same temperature for about 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

It's important to note that you may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, depending on its size. Additionally, make sure that the chicken pieces do not overlap in the basket to ensure even cooking and browning.

To keep the cooked chicken warm and crisp while you prepare the rest of the batch, you can preheat your oven to a low temperature, such as 185°F (85°C), and place the cooked chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.

Serving suggestions

Chicken Milanese is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas for serving this delicious, crispy, golden, and juicy chicken dish:

Salads

Chicken Milanese is often served with a fresh and tangy arugula salad. The peppery taste of arugula pairs well with the chicken, and you can add ingredients like lemon wedges, avocado, cucumber, or tomato to enhance the flavours. You can also use mixed baby greens or romaine lettuce if you're not a fan of arugula's peppery taste.

Sides

There are several side dishes that go well with Chicken Milanese. You can serve it with bread from your favourite bakery, lemon-parsley potato foil packets, pita bread and hummus, or roasted cauliflower rice with garlic and lemon. These sides will complement the chicken without overwhelming it.

Other Options

Chicken Milanese is a versatile dish that can be served in sandwiches, paninis, or as a topping for salads. You can also serve it with a side of pasta, such as Chicken Parmesan, or with a hearty green salad or Caesar salad. If you're feeling creative, try making crispy chicken sandwiches or chicken waffle sandwiches.

Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a classic topping for Chicken Milanese. You can use shaved or grated Parmesan, or even a vegan alternative, to add a salty, sharp flavour to the dish.

Customisation

Chicken Milanese is a flexible dish that can be customised to your taste preferences. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, or even substitute the chicken with pork or veal. Additionally, you can use regular or gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.

No matter how you choose to serve it, Chicken Milanese is a delicious and versatile dish that is sure to impress your family and guests!

Frequently asked questions