Giadas Chicken Milanese Food

CHICKEN MILANESE WITH TOMATO AND FENNEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Using 3 wide shallow bowls, add the flour to 1, the eggs to another and to the third bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, and thyme.
• On a work surface, put the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, lightly pound the chicken until approximately 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly, then dip into the beaten eggs, allowing the excess egg to drip off. Coat the chicken with the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
• In a large, nonstick saute pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 2 pieces of the breaded chicken into the oil and cook until light golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Reserve the cooking juices in the saute pan.
• For the sauce: Using the same saute pan, add the olive oil to the reserved cooking juices and heat over medium heat. Add the fennel and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic and thyme. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the tomatoes are tender. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the mascarpone cheese and stir until the mixture is creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and spoon the sauce over the top before serving.

CHICKEN MILANESE CACCIATORE STYLE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Season the pounded cutlets evenly on all sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Put the rice flour, eggs and panko in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season the flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt, the eggs with 1/4 teaspoons salt and the breadcrumbs with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Working with one piece at a time, dredge the seasoned chicken cutlets in the flour, then the egg mixture and finishing with the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere evenly.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the hot pan and heat another 10 seconds. Working in batches if necessary, add the breaded chicken to the pan and cook until the first side is deep golden brown and the chicken begins to look cooked around the edges, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the cutlets and continue to cook on the second side until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes more. Remove the chicken to a wire rack and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper if desired.
• For the sauce: Wipe out the pan if needed and return to medium heat. Add the olive oil, mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until deep golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook to soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, capers, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the tomatoes start to release their juices, about 3 minutes longer. Spoon the sauce over the crispy cutlets and serve topped with the basil.