Looking for a satisfying and quick chicken recipe? This Keto Chicken Milanese is a fantastic choice, offering a crispy exterior and a juicy interior, all while staying low-carb. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Why Keto Chicken Milanese?
Traditional Chicken Milanese uses Italian seasoned bread crumbs, creating too many carbs for people on Keto or low carb diets. This recipe offers a delicious alternative, transforming a classic Italian dish into a guilt-free pleasure. When you see a recipe that refers to something cooked Milanese style, that means thin slices of meat are dredged in egg, then slightly breaded and lightly fried. This same method is used when cooking veal to create schnitzel.
The Secret is in the Breading
The key to a great Keto Chicken Milanese lies in the breading. Instead of traditional breadcrumbs, this recipe uses flavorful alternatives like pork rinds or a combination of almond flour and Parmesan cheese.
Pork Rind Breading
I love using flavorful pork rinds as a breading on meats. It's a great alternative to traditional breadcrumbs made with bread. I honestly think the pork rind breading is better! Pork rinds provide a satisfying crunch and a savory flavor that complements the chicken perfectly. You can find them at Walmart, on Amazon, or you can make your own using a bag of pork rinds and a food processor.
Parmesan Cheese and Almond Flour Breading
This recipe also uses parmesan cheese, which is the secret to the delicious “Italian” flavor, crispy crust and gorgeous color. Almond flour helps coat the chicken and cover any missed spots the parmesan didn’t cover. This is a low carb alternative and great if you are on the keto diet.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's a breakdown of the ingredients for both variations:
Pork Rind Breading:
- Chicken breast cutlets (chicken breast that has been sliced in half lengthwise)
- Eggs
- Water
- Crushed pork rinds
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Avocado oil (or other Keto friendly oil)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Parmesan Cheese and Almond Flour Breading:
- Chicken breasts
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, not the pre-grated kind)
- Almond flour
- Eggs
- Italian seasoning (or seasoning of choice)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil or butter
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Optional Ranch Sauce:
- Homemade mayo (or store-bought avocado oil mayo)
- Seasonings (to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to make Keto Chicken Milanese:
Pork Rind Breading Method
- Prepare the Chicken: Ensure you have chicken breast cutlets. You can buy them pre-cut or slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
- Set up the Breading Station: In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a tablespoon of water. In a separate shallow bowl, pour in the crushed pork rinds and combine with Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper if your pork rinds aren't salted.
- Bread the Chicken: Take each chicken cutlet and dip it into the egg wash, followed by the crushed pork rinds. Repeat this process with each chicken filet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, add avocado oil. Once the oil is shimmering, begin frying your chicken. Let cook until golden brown on each side (about 5 minutes per side) or until an internal temperature reaches 165F.
- (Optional) Bake the Chicken: Alternatively, you can bake the chicken on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet in a 400F oven for 20 minutes.
- Serve: Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a side of arugula salad, zoodles, or Palmini noodles.
Parmesan Cheese and Almond Flour Breading Method
- Prepare the Chicken: Lay the chicken breasts out on a cutting board and cut in half horizontally. Generously season with Italian seasoning (or seasoning of choice), garlic powder, salt, and pepper; Set aside.
- Set up the Breading Station: Combine the parmesan cheese and almond flour in a medium shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture then into the parmesan mixture. Shake off the excess breading. Repeat until all the chicken cutlets are covered.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil or butter in a large NON-STICK heavy duty pan. Add chicken cutlets in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy. Be sure not to flip until the parmesan is golden on the first side or it will slide off.
- Serve: Serve with wedges of lemon, a simple green salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette, or over pasta.
Paleo Chicken Milanese with Ranch
- Prepare the Ranch: Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl, tasting and adjusting any seasonings as needed. Set aside while you prepare the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breasts until very thin, about 1/4” thick, and slice into cutlets. In a shallow bowl, combine the tapioca flour, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper, black pepper, and sea salt.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, cook the cutlets in 2 batches so they’re not crowded. Adjust the heat if the oil gets too hot for the second batch - I sometimes turn my heat down to med-low for the second batch if the chicken browns too quickly.
- Serve: Serve the chicken with the ranch sauce over a big salad, cauliflower rice, or roasted potatoes.
Tips for the Perfect Keto Chicken Milanese
- Pound the Chicken: Pounding the chicken breasts thin ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even browning.
- Use a Non-Stick Skillet: This is especially important when using Parmesan cheese in the breading, as it can stick easily.
- High Smoke Point Oil: Be sure to use a cooking oil with a high smoke point. When cooking in batches, you don’t the oil to begin tasting burned. After the first batch is done, you may have to lower the heat just slightly.
- Don't Forget the Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors and adds a zesty touch.
Serving Suggestions
Keto Chicken Milanese is incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:
- Salad: Serve over a bed of arugula or mixed greens with a light vinaigrette. A simple green salad with this Raspberry Vinaigrette is perfect with any Keto chicken main dish.
- Zoodles or Palmini Noodles: For a low-carb pasta alternative, serve with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or Palmini noodles (hearts of palm pasta).
- Vegetables: Pair with roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or cauliflower.
- Ranch Dressing: For a Paleo-friendly version, top with homemade ranch dressing and serve over a big salad.
Making Ahead and Freezing
Making this Keto Chicken Milanese recipe ahead of time and freezing it for later provides a quick meal solution. If you take just a few steps to properly freeze leftovers will ensure the gluten free coating stays in it and reheats well. Place the leftover cutlets on a sheet pan and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes. By doing a pre-freeze, it helps to adhere the breading to the cutlets. To reheat, put them directly from the freezer into a 350°F over until warmed through.
Variations and Additions
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breading for a little heat.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses in the breading, such as Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
- Herb Combinations: Try different combinations of herbs in the breading, such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary.
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