Chicken Milanese with Arugula, Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella is a classic summer dish! Fresh and delicious!
I’m in full-blown summer mode friends, so today I’m sharing my all-time favorite summer dinner dish. This Chicken Milanese with Arugula, Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella drizzled with a little balsamic vinaigrette makes an appearance at our dinner table numerous times from Memorial Day to Labor Day!
Now, if any of my close friends are reading this post today, I know what you’re thinking. Tom (my husband) is not touching this dish with a twelve foot pole! Am I right? We all know Tom loves tomato sauce and just about anything with tomatoes that are pureed, but an actual tomato…uh…that would be a NO! I once ordered Tom a hoagie and by mistake they put tomatoes on it, so I quick took them off and missed one seed! One teeny, tiny tomato seed! And guess what? He wouldn’t eat the hoagie! Oh good Lord! UGH! And arugula? That would be an even bigger NO. So unfortunately, Tom does not put on his big boy pants and get to enjoy this one! And my son Casey, who is a clone of Tom in the picky food department, doesn’t go for this one either, but Sean and I and all the guests I’ve served it to love, love, love it!
It’s just one of those dishes that screams summer to me. It’s so nice and light and incredibly easy to put together. A crispy panko-crusted chicken breast topped with juicy red tomatoes, cubes of fresh mozzarella and peppery arugula drizzled with some tangy balsamic vinaigrette makes for the perfect summer meal. A nice glass of wine is all you’ll need to complete the dish my friends! Enjoy!
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cups Italian flavored panko crumbs
- 2-3 Tbsp. butter
- 2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4 cups arugula
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cubed
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- balsamic vinaigrette dressing for drizzling
- salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
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Pound each chicken breast to 1/4 inch thickness.
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Sprinkle each breast with salt and pepper then dredge both sides in flour, dip in egg and coat with panko crumbs, pressing to make sure crumbs coat the chicken well.
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In a large saute pan, heat 2 Tbsp. butter and 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium low heat. Add the chicken and saute on each side for 3 minutes until cooked through, adding more butter and olive oil as needed.
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Remove chicken from pan and top each with some arugula, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Drizzle with some balsamic vinaigrette and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
I’m so sorry you hubby doesn’t eat fresh tomatoes – how can he resist those fresh summer tomatoes bursting with juice? This looks fancy enough for a dinner party but still easy enough for a weeknight. Love it!
I know, right? It’s my favorite easy summer meal Karen!
Well, if your husband doesn’t care of this dish, then that means it’s more for you ;) ! I think it looks absolutely delicious, Mary, Ann. Love all the components of this one. Pinning, of course. And that plate is just beautiful! Have a great week, girl!
Yes, so I don’t really mind Dawn! Thanks Dawn! You too!
That crazy Tom, he just doesn’t know what he’s missing! This has all the components of a great dish. I love it….tomatoes and all!
He is totally crazy Kathy! So picky! More for me!
I had no clue your husband hated fresh tomatoes so much! More for the rest of us, is what I say! ;) LOOOOOVE this chicken, Mary Ann! I am seriously drooling all over the place! Fresh produce and juicy, crispy chicken? YES. All.Day.Long.Yes! Definitely making this for dinner sometime this week! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
This one is just so easy, I had to share it Cheyanne! Hope you enjoy! Welcome back!
Beautiful! A perfect summer meal!
Thanks Mimi! Enjoy your week!
Perfect dish and great for summer entertaining. So pretty! And if the fellows don’t eat it, then more for the rest of you :)
Yes, agreed Jennifer! I don’t mind because I love this one!
Wow! That is all I can say! This is absolutely gorgeous Mary Ann- and I just love that blue plate! The perfect dish for summer.
Thanks Sarah! I got that plate from a cute little antique/gift shop in Philadelphia. Hope you enjoy the chicken if you give it a try!
Nothing gives me greater joy than pounded out and breaded chicken. Seriously. Paired with the arugula + balsamic….this sounds like heaven Mary Ann!!! xoxo
I could eat this dish all summer long Rebecca! So easy and so delicious! Thanks so much! Enjoy the week!
Holy moly that chicken looks amazing!!
Thanks Alida!
It does scream summer! I love pounded and breaded chicken and pork and you made an easy and delicious dish. You have me smiling Mary Ann.
Yes! I’ve also substituted pork in this dish Gerlinde! Glad your smiling!
My kids don’t like raw tomatoes either! I think they are crazy! This is such a wonderful combo here- the crispy chicken, the peppery arugula, creamy cheese, and juicy tomatoes. I would just love this for dinner any summer evening.
This really is a favorite of mine all year long too, not just the summer Emily! My son Sean and I just LOVE tomatoes, so we both enjoy this one!
A perfect way to enjoy Jersey tomatoes Mary Ann. Love the big, bright flavors and quick cooking time. Definitely screams summer!
Agreed Cathy! And there’s nothing better than a Jersey tomato right?!
I volunteer to eat ALL the tomato dishes your husband passes up – starting with this deliciousness. I am also SERIOUSLY in love with that blue plate!
Thanks Kate! He drives me crazy sometimes with the things he just won’t try! I know, that plate is a favorite antique shop find!
Hi Mary Ann – First, I love easy summer dishes and this one’s got that pegged. Second, Tom needs a tomato wake up call – I’ve just started picking my first tomatoes (they’ve started coming in super early this year) and they are sooo good. And finally, I love that blue and white plate!
Thanks Geraldine! Tom doesn’t know what’s good! I picked up that plate at a cute little antique shop in Philadelphia! I got a smaller one too! They’re my favorite dishes in my blog prop collection!
My best friend is Italian and loves when I try my hand at making Italian meals for us. He’s honest but not overcritical, I think I will be putting this recipe in front of him sometime this month. I love the fresh arugula and tomatoes, it makes the dish bright and summery. :)
This one is so easy and se summery fresh Mary! I think you’ll both love it! Thanks so much for commenting!
That is too funny – I am kind of similar when it comes to bananas! This dish just looks stunning, Mary Ann! I can see why it is a favorite! I’m going to find myself some gf panko and put this on our summer list. xo.
It’s just such a fresh, easy summer dish Tessa! I hope you enjoy it! XO
This dish definitely screams summer! I’ll take Tom’s share because this looks delicious!
You got it Rachelle! Tom doesn’t know what’s good!
I can see myself eating this chicken recipe at least twice a week when the tomatoes have overrun the farmers market.
Yes, perfect Nicole! I hope you enjoy it!
This looks so amazing, Mary Ann! That last picture has me drooling! My brother-in-law is the same way as your husband- pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, great! Fresh tomatoes, no way! I don’t get it, but I guess that means more for me :)
Ha! If Tom finds one chunk, it’s trouble!! Hope you enjoy!
I wished I lived closer! XO
Me too!! XO
I’m so ready for summery meals and this looks just perfect!
Thanks Laura! You should give it a try! So easy for summer!
I will make anything served on my favorite dishes! Devon Cottage! :-) We must have similar taste, and not just in food! YUM!
Ha! I love these dishes and the chicken!