Chicken Francese Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Francese is a delightful Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken cutlets in a bright, buttery lemon sauce. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for guests, bringing fresh citrus flavors and savory richness to your table.

The image shows a metal pan with three cooked chicken breasts, each topped with a round slice of grilled lemon. The chicken has a golden-brown crispy texture and is covered in a light, glossy lemon butter sauce. Small bits of green parsley are sprinkled on and around the chicken pieces, adding a fresh color contrast. The chicken pieces are placed side by side, partially submerged in the light yellow buttery sauce. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with a grey striped cloth visible in the upper left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (thin cut)
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter (divided use)
  • 1 lemon (thinly sliced)
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound gently with the flat end of a meat mallet to create thin cutlets.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix 1/3 cup flour with salt and pepper until combined.
  3. Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  5. Step 5: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture.
  6. Step 6: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the pan and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Remove chicken from the pan, cover to keep warm, and wipe out the pan with a paper towel.
  8. Step 8: For the sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in the pan over medium heat. Add lemon slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until they brown slightly, then remove and set aside.
  9. Step 9: Add the remaining butter to the pan and melt. Stir in 1 tablespoon of flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
  10. Step 10: Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  11. Step 11: Stir in lemon juice and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
  12. Step 12: Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the sauce over it, top with the cooked lemon slices, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

  • For a richer flavor, try using a mix of butter and olive oil when frying the chicken.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a bit more flour to the sauce base or let it reduce a little longer.
  • Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier result, but make sure to pound them thinly for even cooking.
  • Swap white wine for dry vermouth or chicken broth if you prefer to avoid alcohol.

Storage

Store any leftover Chicken Francese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the chicken from drying out. The sauce may thicken upon cooling; add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to loosen it.

How to Serve

A pan with three golden-brown cooked chicken breasts, each topped with a round slice of grilled lemon showing light char marks; the chicken is covered in a light, glossy lemon sauce with small green herb pieces sprinkled on top and around, with some small parsley sprigs placed beside the chicken. The pan has a silver metal rim and is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used and often yield a juicier dish. Just pound them thinly to ensure even cooking and adjust cooking time slightly if needed.

What can I use if I don’t have white wine?

If you prefer not to use white wine, you can substitute it with dry vermouth, additional chicken broth, or even a splash of white grape juice for sweetness. This will maintain the liquid needed for the sauce while adjusting the flavor.

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Chicken Francese Recipe

Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish featuring thinly pounded chicken breasts lightly coated in flour and egg, pan-fried to a golden brown, and served with a tangy lemon-butter and white wine sauce. This flavorful recipe balances the richness of butter with the brightness of fresh lemon slices, making it an elegant yet easy-to-make meal perfect for any occasion.

  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (thin cut)
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter (divided use)
  • 1 lemon (thinly sliced)

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken cutlets: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with the flat end of a meat mallet until thin cutlets are formed. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
  2. Mix the dry coating: In a bowl, combine 1/3 cup flour, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir until well mixed.
  3. Prepare the egg wash: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 2 eggs and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and uniform.
  4. Heat the oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1/4 cup olive oil until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg wash, coating evenly.
  6. Cook the chicken: Place coated chicken breasts in a single layer in the hot pan. Cook each side for 4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel to prepare for the sauce.
  7. Brown the lemon slices: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and melt over medium heat. Add the thin lemon slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until they become browned and slightly caramelized. Remove lemon slices from the pan and set aside.
  8. Make the sauce base: Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter to the pan and melt. Stir in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
  9. Add liquids and simmer: Pour in 1/2 cup white wine, allowing it to simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Then add 3/4 cup chicken broth and simmer for an additional 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a velvety consistency.
  10. Finish the sauce: Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan, spoon the sauce over them, and top with the browned lemon slices. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped parsley over everything and serve immediately for best flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • For best texture, pound chicken breasts evenly to avoid uneven cooking.
  • You can substitute white wine with extra chicken broth if preferred.
  • Be careful not to burn the lemon slices; they should be caramelized but not blackened.
  • Serve with a side of pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated.

Keywords: Chicken Francese, lemon chicken, Italian chicken recipe, pan-fried chicken, lemon butter sauce

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