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Chicken Milanese is one of those classic-Italian dishes that everyone adores. Who doesn’t love breaded and fried chicken? With that love in mind, I created this Grain-Free Chicken Milanese with Green Apple and Radish Salad.
Milanese was one of the first recipes I learned to make on my own when diving into cooking. I was waiting in a doctor’s office and somehow starting thumbing through a GQ magazine and saw a recipe for an easy Chicken Milanese that breaded the chicken in Panko breadcrumbs. I went home and made it and it was absolutely delicious! It quickly became a staple in my apartment.
I decided I wanted to update Chicken Milanese to my current dietary needs and the season, which led me to create this delicious Spring-inspired Grain-Free Chicken Milanese. Traditionally, Milanese is served alongside a bed of arugula and tomatoes. Here, I’ve elevated the arugula salad by adding crisp, granny smith apples and beautiful, crunchy watermelon radishes. You can totally omit the radishes if you can’t find them. Either way, the chicken recipe alone is worth making with water salad you please!
For a spicy twist on the traditional Chicken Milanese, try my Buffalo-Style Chicken Milanese!
Grain-Free Chicken Milanese with Green Apple and Radish Salad
Ingredients
For the Granny Smith Apple and Radish Salad:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp champagne vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- pinch kosher salt
- pinch freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup watermelon radish, cut into matchsticks
- 1.5 cups Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks (about 1 small apple)
- 2 cups arugula, packed
For the Chicken Milanese:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp water
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
For the Granny Smith Apple and Radish Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the radishes, apples, arugula, salt and pepper and toss until well combined. Set aside until ready to serve.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the olive oil, champagne vinegar, dijon, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined and set aside. (You'll want to toss the salad immediately before serving).
For the Chicken Milanese:
- Place your palm flat against the top of each chicken breast and carefully slice each piece in half horizontally; you'll be left with 4 thinner chicken breast pieces. Place each chicken cutlet between 2 sheets of waxed paper and use the smooth side of a mallet (or a rolling pin) to pound them until they're very thin. Season the chicken on both sides lightly with salt and pepper and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the almond, tapioca flour, 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add the egg and water. Whisk until frothy.
- Using one hand, dip the chicken breasts in the egg and flip to coat both sides, shake off excess. Using your other hand, then immediately dredge in the almond flour mixture to coat evenly all over. Shake off excess coating. Set on a clean plate and continue until all of the chicken is coated. (Using separate hands for each station prevents your hands getting too caked in the mixture and makes it easier to work with the chicken).
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot (but not smoking) place the chicken into the skillet and fry until golden brown on each side and cooked through, 4-5 minutes per side.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and immediately serve with the salad.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Would love to try this, but have a nut allergy. Do you have any recommendations for a nut free (and still GF) flour substitute?
Alex – Do you think this would also fry in an air fryer? If so, tips?
This was a perfect weeknight meal! Not only was the chicken easy and delicious, but the salad that you paired with it was so bright and fresh! This is going into my rotation!
This is so good! The chicken has become a staple in our house. I’ve made it for guests and everyone raved about it. I shared the recipe with a coworker as well and they loved it too. Thank you!!
Absolutely love this!! Have made this so many times in the past month.
This is a new favorite! The salad has the perfect bite and is a great, simple pairing with the chicken. This would be just as yummy with chicken strips instead of cutlets. Adding to my regular rotation!
If you cannot tolerate nut flours, what sub do you recommend?