Giadas Chicken Milanese Recipes

CHICKEN MILANESE WITH TOMATO AND FENNEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Using 3 wide shallow bowls, add the flour to 1, the eggs to another and to the third bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, and thyme.
• On a work surface, put the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, lightly pound the chicken until approximately 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly, then dip into the beaten eggs, allowing the excess egg to drip off. Coat the chicken with the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
• In a large, nonstick saute pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 2 pieces of the breaded chicken into the oil and cook until light golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Reserve the cooking juices in the saute pan.
• For the sauce: Using the same saute pan, add the olive oil to the reserved cooking juices and heat over medium heat. Add the fennel and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic and thyme. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the tomatoes are tender. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese and stir until the mixture is creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and spoon the sauce over the top before serving.

CHICKEN MILANESE CACCIATORE STYLE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Season the pounded cutlets evenly on all sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Put the rice flour, eggs and panko in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season the flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt, the eggs with 1/4 teaspoons salt and the breadcrumbs with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Working with one piece at a time, dredge the seasoned chicken cutlets in the flour, then the egg mixture and finishing with the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere evenly.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the hot pan and heat another 10 seconds. Working in batches if necessary, add the breaded chicken to the pan and cook until the first side is deep golden brown and the chicken begins to look cooked around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the cutlets and continue to cook on the second side until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes more. Remove the chicken to a wire rack and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper if desired.
• For the sauce: Wipe out the pan if needed and return to medium heat. Add the olive oil, mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until deep golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook to soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, capers, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the tomatoes start to release their juices, about 3 minutes longer. Spoon the sauce over the crispy cutlets and serve topped with the basil.

CHICKEN MILANESE

Steps:

• Place 1 chicken breast between 2 sheets of wax paper. Pound with a meat mallet, rolling pin or heavy skillet until 1/4 inch thick. The thinner and more even, the better. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Place the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs in separate shallow baking dishes and season each with salt and pepper.
• Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast in the flour and tap off the excess. Next, dip into the egg wash and let any excess drip off. Finally, dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing to help the crumbs adhere evenly on both sides. Transfer the breaded chicken to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. This step can be done up to 30 minutes in advance.
• Heat 2 inches of the canola oil in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook 1 or 2 cutlets at a time in a single layer until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the cutlets to another wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with salt. Let the cutlets rest a few minutes while you make the salad.
• Whisk together the lemon juice with some salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the 1/4 cup olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Stir in the onion and let sit a few seconds. Taste and add more olive oil, if needed. Add the arugula and Parmesan and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper.
• Place each cutlet on a plate and top with a large amount of salad. Serve lemon wedges on the side.

CHICKEN BROTH

Steps:

• To a large pot add the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns and water to cover, about 14 cups. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Skim the top of the broth of any impurities rise to the surface. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer the broth, uncovered, for 1 hour, skimming as needed.
• Remove the chicken to a plate. Continue to simmer the broth. Use tongs to handle and shred the meat of the chicken and set aside for another use. Return the bones and skin to the broth and continue to simmer for an additional hour.
• Remove from the heat and strain the broth. Discard the bones and vegetables and allow the broth to cool. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

PORK MILANESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Coarsely crush the panko into a large shallow bowl. Stir the cheese into the panko. Lightly beat the eggs in another large shallow bowl. Sprinkle the pork generously with salt and pepper. Dip the pork, 1 piece at a time, in the egg, allowing the excess to drip off, then dredge the pork in the crumb mixture, patting to coat completely. Place the pork on a small baking sheet.
• Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the pork to the hot oil and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then transfer them to a clean baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and fry the remaining pork.
• Transfer the pork to plates and serve with lemon wedges.