Chicken Milanese Recipe

Set aside any smaller breasts or cutlets that are ½-inch thick. Set larger breasts on a cutting board. Hold the top of the chicken steady with one hand and hold a sharp knife parallel to the table in the other hand, then butterfly the breast in half like opening a book. Cut all the way through to make two thin pieces.

Continue with the remaining large breasts. Pat them dry with paper towels. Set them on a rimmed baking sheet.

Set one of the chicken breast slices between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or small heavy pan to pound the breast to flatten it – six or so good whacks should do it.  Continue with the remaining breasts, returning them to the baking sheet.

In a pie pan or shallow bowl, place the flour, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly. In another pie pan or shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the remaining salt. In a third pie pan or bowl, place the Panko.

Set the pan of chicken on the counter. Set the flour next to it on the right. Set the egg to the right, then the Panko as the last thing in the row.

With tongs, dip one slice of chicken in flour, making sure both sides are coated and shaking the excess into the bowl. Next, coat the chicken in egg and lift it up so the excess falls back into the bowl. Finally, transfer to the Panko and coat both sides.

Return the chicken to the baking sheet. Continue with the remaining breasts until they are all coated.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees F with a baking sheet on a middle rack. Set a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough of the olive to the pan to make a ¼-inch layer (about 4 tablespoons). Heat until the oil shimmers and flows; when hot, a piece of Panko thrown in the oil should sizzle.

Add 3 pieces of chicken in a single layer and cook without moving for 4 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden. Turn and brown the other sides for another 4 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Transfer the finished chicken to the oven so they stay warm while you cook the remaining breasts. Cook the remaining breasts, adding more oil to the pan as needed to keep it coated.

Serve right away with lemon and a green salad.