Super Crispy Pollo Empanizado (Breaded Chicken)

Milanesa de pollo empanizado is an absolute must-try for anyone who appreciates tender chicken cutlets with a crispy, breaded exterior, like me!

Paired with a fresh squeeze of lime and a side of sauce, pollo empanizado is not only a popular dish in my home but one of my top five favorite dishes. 

And I love a good air-fried crispy chicken when looking for a lighter version of this classic.

Original Post: Aug 27, 2023

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Milanesa de Pollo

If you’ve ever been to Colombia, Mexico, and countless other countries in Latin America,  you’ll find that Milanesa de Pollo or pollo empanizado is a classic dish.

Traditionally, a chicken cutlet is pounded to an even thinness, seasoned with a mix of local spices, and then breaded and fried to golden perfection. 

In Latin America, this classic recipe has been adjusted, and what sets it apart is the seasoning and sides. It’s served with a slice of lime, a side of arepa, aji picante, or air-fried , twice-fried plantains. 

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Pollo Apanado vs. Milanesa de Pollo vs. Pollo Empanizado

If you’re a fan of breaded chicken dishes in Latin American and Spanish cuisines, you might have heard of terms like “Pollo Apanado,” “Milanesa de Pollo,” and “Pollo Empanizado.”

All of these refer to chicken coated in breadcrumbs and fried, but some regional differences and nuances make each one unique.

It’s worth noting that every breaded fried chicken recipe differs in thickness, preparation, and regional influences.

Pollo Apanado (Breaded Chicken)

Pollo Apanado is chicken coated in breadcrumbs. The dish can be made using different cuts of chicken, which typically places less emphasis on the thickness of the chicken.

In Colombia, chicken legs are coated and fried, and called pollo apanado.

Milanesa de Pollo (Chicken Milanese)

The dish Milanesa de Pollo is rooted in the Milanese style of Italy, yet it has gained immense popularity in countries like Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay.

This delicious dish is prepared by pounding a chicken cutlet to flatten it out, coating it with breadcrumbs, and frying it until it reaches a crispy golden brown.

Then, it’s served with a bed of fluffy rice or a fresh, colorful salad.

Pollo Empanizado

“Pollo Empanizado” refers to a delicious dish of breaded chicken originating from the Spanish culinary culture. The word “empanizado” means coated.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

The key to a good, crispy cutlet is the combination of panko and plain bread crumbs (even cornflakes) with the traditional breading station – eggs, flour, bread crumbs, and all the spices.

1. Chicken Breasts – You can substitute this recipe with chicken tenders. Or with chicken thighs, remember that it will require longer frying until the chicken is fully cooked internally through to 165 degrees.
2. Flour – Unbleached all-purpose flour. If you’re looking for gluten-free chicken cutlets, substitute the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with a gluten-free alternative.
3. Eggs – Whisked.
4. Water – Purified water.
5. Plain Breadcrumbs
6. Panko Breadcrumbs – Regular or Japanese panko breadcrumbs are slightly different, but both work well.
7. Spices – Onion salt, sazon, salt
8. Avocado Oil – Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying. Or use your frying oil of preference.
9. Lime Wedges – or lemon wedges

Equipment Needed

• Chef Knife – sharp enough to slice the chicken cutlets
• Cutting Board
• Cast Iron Skillet or Electric Deep Fryer
• Large Baking Sheet with Cooling Rack
• (3) Shallow bowl, shallow dish, or large baking dish
• Tongs
• Parchment Paper or plastic wrap

Top Tips For The Crispiest Thinly Sliced Pollo Apanado

• Pound the chicken for an incredibly crispy one, and it’s essential to pound it after slicing for a tenderized, even-textured, and delicious flavor.
• Traditional and Japanese panko breadcrumbs – For a super crunchy and crispy pollo apanado, use a mixture of traditional breadcrumbs and large, flaky Japanese panko breadcrumbs. Panko crumbs are round and dense, staying crispy for a longer time.
• Cooling Rack – After frying chicken, place it on a cooling rack to let the excess oil drip off instead of using a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. This prevents sogginess and preserves crispiness.

See Below for Detailed Instructions

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Instructions For The Simplest Tastiest Milanese Recipe

Step One: Prepare The Breading Station

1. Large Baking Dish: Flour, salt, and spices.
2. Medium Baking Dish: Eggs, water, salt and spices.
3. Large Baking Dish: Plain breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, spices, salt, and lime juice.

Step Two: Slice The Chicken

Pat the chicken dry, then cut the chicken breasts into thinly sliced chicken cutlets and set aside.

Depending on the size, you can yield roughly four servings of chicken cutlets with two chicken breasts.

Step Three: Pound The Chicken Cutlets

Pounding the chicken tenderizes it, allows seasoning to penetrate evenly, and ensures even cooking.

Place a sliced chicken cutlet between two sheets of parchment paper on a cutting board. Use a mallet to pound the chicken until it is thin.

Tip: Cover the chicken with parchment paper or plastic wrap to prevent splattering when thinning it out with a mallet. This is a lifesaver in the kitchen.

Step Four: Breading Process

This three-step process is simple and critical for a super crispy chicken.

1. Flour – This three-step process is simple. First, take the cutlet and generously dredge it in flour, ensuring every inch is well coated.
2. Egg Mixture – Next, dip it into the whisked egg mixture of water, eggs, spices, and salt.
3. Bread Crumb Mixture—To properly coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture. Be sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they stick well. The final layer is the crispiest layer, so you want to make sure it sticks well.

Place the breaded chicken on a plate until you’re ready to fry.

Step Five – Fry

Grab your seasoned cast iron skillet or frying pan of choice, and place it on the stovetop with avocado oil—enough oil to cover the chicken completely. Heat on medium heat, and once the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pan.

Tip: One way to test if the oil is hot enough for frying chicken is to drop a small piece of chicken. If the oil bubbles around the chicken, it is ready for frying.

Once the one side is golden brown, flip the chicken using tongs. Once the second side is golden brown, carefully remove the Milanesa de pollo from the oil and place it on a cooling rack. 

Sprinkle sea salt flakes on your freshly fried chicken for an extra hit of flavor.

Frying Alternative: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

If you prefer to air fry the chicken cutlets, spray and coat the breaded cutlets with avocado oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees—place the chicken cutlets in the air fryer in a single layer.

Air fry until golden brown.

Step Six – Garnish optional

Clean and chop parsley leaves and tender stems, use them as a garnish, and top them off with a fresh squeeze of lime juice.

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Storage

Allow the pollo empanizado to cool, then store them in a ceramic or glass airtight container lightly covered to prevent them from getting soggy. Store for up to five days. Fried chicken lasts in the chicken slightly longer after being cooked in high heat.

Reheating

Air fryer, toaster oven, or conventional oven

Preheat your air fryer, toaster oven, or conventional oven. Place the Milanesa de pollo in a single layer, and reheat the chicken cutlets for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees.

Pan

Preheat a pan at medium heat, place the pollo apanado on the pan, and reheat for 2-3 minutes on each side, or reheat based on your preference.

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What to Serve with Chicken Cutlets

Prepared chicken cutlets can be served with a variety of side dishes and countless main dishes.

These are some of my favorites:

• Basmati rice and chicken cutlets are delicious together.
• Plantain chips
• Arañitas de platanos
• Sopa de lentejas (lentils)
• Fluffy chimichurri rice
• Twice-fried plantains (patacones)
• Yuca Fries
• Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
• Air Fryer Sweet Plantains
• Or this lighter version – Air Fryer Yuca Fries
• French Fries
• Tater Tots
• Canned black beans (quick 20-minute recipe)

Chicken cutlets pair perfectly with a green salad and a tangy vinaigrette.

A great sauce is perfect, and you can dip chicken in tomato sauce, a smoky ancho aioli, or a tangy chimichurri sauce.

Pour on spicy garlic aioli,  chimichurri aioli or Colombian aji picante.

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FAQs

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