Crispy Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Milanese Recipe: Family Favorite

Crisp, golden-brown chicken Milanese sings with vibrant flavors that dance across your plate like a culinary symphony.

Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa chicken Milanese recipe brings Italian-inspired elegance to your weeknight dinner with surprising simplicity.

Her expert technique creates a perfectly breaded chicken cutlet that’s light, crunchy, and utterly irresistible.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch that gives way to tender, juicy meat seasoned with subtle herbs and spices.

The gorgeous golden exterior hints at the deliciousness waiting beneath the crisp coating.

Served with a bright, zesty salad, this dish turns an ordinary meal into something truly special.

Get ready to savor every memorable bite of this restaurant-quality meal you can easily master at home.

Tips to Elevate Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese

• Use plastic wrap when pounding chicken to prevent splattering and ensure even thickness for consistent cooking.
• Add dried herbs like oregano or thyme to the Panko-Parmesan mixture for extra flavor complexity and aromatic depth.
• Swap chicken with veal, pork cutlets, or turkey for a delightful protein variation that maintains the crispy breading technique.
• Let breaded chicken rest for 10 minutes before cooking to help breading adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
• Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

Creative Serving Ideas for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese

• Elevate Your Plate: Arrange the golden chicken Milanese on a large platter with the bright, fresh salad cascading over the top, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation that's sure to impress.
• Pair with Perfect Sides: Complement the crispy chicken with roasted garlic asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, or a light orzo salad to balance the dish's rich, crunchy texture.
• Wine and Dine: Select a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness of the breaded chicken and enhance the zesty lemon vinaigrette flavors.
• Make It a Meal Prep: Prepare extra chicken cutlets and store them separately from the salad for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week, maintaining their delightful crispiness.

Storage Tips for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese Leftovers

• Maximize Freshness: Store leftover chicken Milanese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the crispy coating as delicious as possible.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Revive cold chicken by warming it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes to restore its original crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Smart Prep Technique: Bread the chicken in advance and separate layers with parchment paper, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking for streamlined meal preparation.
• Vinaigrette Storing Tip: Keep the lemon vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, giving it a quick shake before each use to remix the ingredients perfectly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 670 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredient Checklist for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese

• Lemon Juice: Bright, zesty base that adds fresh citrusy punch to the dressing.
• Agave or Sugar: Balances the tartness and creates smooth flavor harmony.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and helps emulsify the vinaigrette.
• White Balsamic Vinegar: Provides subtle sweetness and gentle acidity.
• Olive Oil: Creates silky texture and carries the dressing's complex flavors.
• Shallots: Introduces mild, elegant onion undertones for sophisticated taste.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances and rounds out the vinaigrette's overall flavor profile.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes crispy and tender when properly prepared.
• Flour: Creates initial dry coating for better egg adherence and crispiness.
• Eggs: Serves as binding agent to help breading stick perfectly to chicken.
• Panko Bread Crumbs: Delivers extra crunch and light, airy texture to coating.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, savory flavor and helps create golden-brown crust.
• Butter and Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and ensures perfect golden searing.

• Salad Greens: Fresh base that adds lightness and nutritional value.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Brings sweet, juicy burst of color and freshness to dish.
• Extra Parmesan: Provides final garnish with rich, salty cheese notes.

Kitchen Gear Required for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese

• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: Perfect for pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness.
• Large Sauté Pan: Essential for cooking chicken to golden perfection.
• Three Dinner Plates: Needed for creating the breading station with flour, eggs, and Panko mixture.
• Whisk: Crucial for mixing the smooth and tangy lemon vinaigrette.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for preparing the vinaigrette and combining ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for mincing shallots and halving cherry tomatoes.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Help ensure precise ingredient quantities.

Cooking Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese – The Easy Way

Chicken Milanese Magic

• Zesty Vinaigrette Preparation

Craft a tangy dressing by blending fresh lemon juice, smooth Dijon mustard, fragrant olive oil, and finely chopped shallots. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky, vibrant sauce that will elevate the entire dish.

• Chicken Transformation

Gently flatten chicken breasts using a sturdy meat mallet, creating uniform thin pieces that promise crispy, even cooking. This technique ensures each bite will be tender and perfectly prepared.

• Breading Adventure

Create a delightful three-stage coating process. First, dust chicken in seasoned flour. Next, dip into whisked eggs. Finally, press into a golden mixture of crunchy breadcrumbs and nutty Parmesan cheese, ensuring a spectacular crispy exterior.

• Sizzling Perfection

Heat a skillet with a blend of butter and olive oil. Carefully cook chicken until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, developing a crisp exterior while maintaining juicy tenderness. Work in small batches to guarantee optimal crispiness.

• Fresh Salad Finale

Toss crisp greens and sweet cherry tomatoes with the prepared vinaigrette. Crown each golden chicken piece with the bright, refreshing salad, adding a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for an indulgent touch.

Crispy Barefoot Contessa Chicken Milanese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic chicken milanese offers a crispy, golden-crusted chicken breast that delights palates with Italian-inspired flavors. Simple ingredients and quick preparation ensure you can enjoy this restaurant-quality dish at home.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 1–¼ cups Panko bread crumbs (seasoned, dry)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs (extra-large)
• 16 tablespoons/1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 8 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh)
• 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 4 tablespoons shallots (minced)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons/4 teaspoons agave or sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
• Unsalted butter
• Good olive oil
• Salad greens (for 6, washed and spun dry)
• Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• Parmesan cheese (extra, for serving)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Vinaigrette Preparation: Whisk lemon juice, agave nectar, Dijon mustard, white balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, extra virgin olive oil, black pepper, and minced shallots until smoothly emulsified.
2. Chicken Preparation: Pound chicken breasts to uniform 0.25-inch thickness using a meat mallet, creating consistent cutlets for even cooking.
3. Breading Station Setup: Arrange three plates – first with seasoned flour, second with egg wash, third with combined Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
4. Coating Technique: Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, dip thoroughly in egg wash, then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage for a golden crust.
5. Cooking Process: Heat skillet with butter and olive oil over medium-low heat, carefully placing breaded cutlets and cooking 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Salad Assembly: Toss mixed greens and cherry tomatoes with prepared vinaigrette, coating ingredients delicately for maximum flavor infusion.
7. Plating Finale: Position crispy chicken cutlet as base, top with dressed salad, sprinkle additional Parmesan, and drizzle vinaigrette for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Master Meat Pounding: Ensure uniform 1/4-inch thickness for consistent, even cooking and crispy breading that cooks perfectly without burning or remaining raw in center.
• Breading Station Strategy: Set up three separate plates to create a smooth, mess-free coating process that guarantees maximum crunch and flavor adherence.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use medium-low heat to prevent burning breading while achieving golden-brown exterior and ensuring chicken cooks thoroughly without drying out.
• Vinaigrette Freshness Tip: Whisk dressing ingredients just before serving to maintain vibrant flavors and prevent separation, creating a bright, zesty complement to crispy chicken.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 670
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg