Crispy Breaded Chicken With Fennel Salad Food

CHICKEN MILANESE WITH FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the fennel. Preheat oven to 350F. Cut the stems and fronds off the fennel (reserve ¼ cup of the greens!), then discard any bruised outer layers. Cut the fennel bulb in half lengthwise, then using a paring knife cut out the tough part of the core (you essentially cut a small triangle shape to remove). Thinly slice the fennel and place in a bowl of ice water.
• Set up the breading stations. In a small, shallow container or bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 Tbsp Kosher salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Whisk 3 eggs in a medium bowl to combine. Combine 1 ½ cups panko, ½ cup Parmesan, 2 Tbsp sage, and remaining 1 Tbsp salt in a separate dish.
• Preheat oil. Heat a few tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. The amount of oil will depend on the size of the pan you use -- you need an even layer on the bottom of the pan that goes up approximately ⅛" - ¼" up the side.
• Dredge cutlets in flour. Move chicken to the eggs, turning to coat on all sides, then shake off any excess. Evenly coat cutlets on all sides in panko breadcrumbs. When oil is hot, transfer chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown, but not burned.
• Finish in the oven. Move pan to the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked through. Chicken is safe to eat at 165F, but you can remove it from the oven when it's reached ~155F - it will continue to cook while it rests.
• Make the salad. While chicken is resting, toss salad greens with 1 Tbsp high quality olive oil in a medium bowl to coat; season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
• Season the fennel. Drain the fennel and pat dry on a paper towel to remove any excess water. Toss with 1-2 Tbsp olive oil and toss to coat.
• Finish and serve. Season chicken with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, then sprinkle each cutlet with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Mound salad atop chicken, then top with plenty of sliced fennel. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds. Serve immediately.

CRISPY ALMOND CHICKEN WITH APPLE-FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the panko, almond flour, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a shallow dish, using your fingers to evenly blend the zest into the crumbs. Lightly beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat about 1/3 cup olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat (it?s hot enough when a pinch of panko sizzles when it hits the oil). Working with 2 or 3 chicken breasts at a time, dip each piece in the beaten egg, letting the excess drip off, then press the chicken into the crumb mixture to coat. Add to the hot oil and cook until browned and cooked through, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Reduce the heat if the chicken is browning too quickly and add more olive oil as needed between batches.
• Toss the greens, fennel, apple, basil and red onion with the lemon juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Divide the chicken among plates and serve with the salad and lemon wedges.

CRISPY ORANGE CHICKEN WITH FENNEL, AVOCADO AND ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, whisk together orange juice, champagne vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Set aside.
• Chop fennel bulb into small cubes. Peel avocado, remove pit and chop into small cubes. Cut chile in half lengthwise, remove and discard seeds and finely mince. Add remaining zest of 1 orange, fennel, avocado and chile to dressing; toss gently and refrigerate while preparing chicken.
• Preheat oven to 200°F Place flour in shallow bowl; combine with remaining salt and pepper. In second shallow bowl, beat eggs well with fork. Place panko breadcrumbs in third shallow bowl; stir in zest from one orange.
• In large skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil. Dredge each chicken fillet in flour mixture, then dip in eggs and coat with panko-orange mixture. Place coated chicken in hot oil and saute, about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked throughout. Remove chicken with tongs and place on cooling rack over a cookie sheet in oven to keep warm.
• To serve, place salad on plates. Top each salad with one or two chicken fillets.