Chicken Marsala Milanese

Ready to take your taste buds on a culinary journey to Milan with a mouthwatering twist on a classic dish? Look no further than this delectable Chicken Marsala Milanese recipe! Combining the best of Italian flavors and crispy textures, this dish features tender chicken cutlets coated in a golden breadcrumb crust, topped with a savory Marsala wine sauce. Each bite is a delightful harmony of crunchy, succulent, and rich flavors that will transport you straight to the vibrant streets of Milan. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or a gathering with friends, Chicken Marsala Milanese is sure to impress even the most discerning food enthusiasts. So, join me as we dive into the world of Italian cuisine and learn how to create this tantalizing masterpiece in your own kitchen. Let’s get cooking and savor the irresistible flavors of Chicken Marsala Milanese together!

Ingredients

For Chicken Milanese:

• 2 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• ½ cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs, divided, or more as needed
• 1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated (Optional)
• ¼ cup olive oil for frying

For the Marsala Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 ounces brown mushrooms, sliced
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dry Marsala wine
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley

Directions

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap, or a cut-open zip-top bag, and use a meat pounder to flatten the meat to about 1/4-inch thickness.
3. Season chicken on both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and cayenne, and transfer to a large plate. Sift flour over both sides of the chicken until the surface is completely coated. Transfer to a clean plate.
4. Brush away any excess flour from the plate. Sprinkle about 1/4 inch of panko onto the surface of the plate.
5. Pour the egg over the floured chicken and use a brush to paint evenly over the meat. Flip and repeat on the other side. Once chicken has been thoroughly coated with the egg, pick up each piece with tongs, letting the excess egg drip off, and place on the plate of panko.
6. Generously sprinkle panko over the top of the chicken and press in with your hands or tongs. Flip the chicken over, and sprinkle more panko over the top. Repeat until the chicken is well breaded all over.
7. Sprinkle a light coating of the Parmigiano-Reggiano over the top of the chicken and press lightly into the breading with your hands. Flip and repeat on the other side.
8. Transfer to a plate sprinkled with more panko. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pan-fry.
9. To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over high heat; add the mushrooms and a large pinch of salt. Cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
10. Reduce heat to medium and stir in flour. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 2 minutes.
11. Pour in Marsala and lemon juice and use a spatula or spoon to scrape any caramelization from the bottom of the pan. Pour in chicken broth and raise heat to medium-high. Season with black pepper and cayenne and bring to a simmer. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens slightly. Keep hot until needed or let cool and reheat when needed. Before serving, some freshly chopped parsley can be stirred in.
12. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Serve immediately with Marsala sauce underneath or spooned over the top.