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Chicken Francese

Chicken Francese is a delightful Italian-American dish featuring chicken breasts that are lightly battered, sautéed in a delicious lemon-butter sauce, and served over pasta or with a side of vegetables. This dish is both elegant and comforting, perfect for a dinner party or a cozy night in.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4 People
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 2 shallow bowls for egg and flour
  • 1 cookware for boiling pasta if serving with pasta
  • 1 meat mallet or rolling pin for flattening chicken
  • 1 tongs or spatula
  • 1 cutting board
  • 1 measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 zester optional for garnish

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 1.5 pounds.
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter Divided, half for cooking and half for the sauce.
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice About 2 lemons.
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley For garnish.
  • optional pieces lemon slices For garnish.
  • to taste pieces salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Start by flattening the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  • In a shallow bowl, season the flour with salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
  • Heat the olive oil and half of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the skillet in batches, cooking for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
  • In the same skillet, add the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom and bringing the mixture to a simmer.
  • Add the remaining butter, stirring until melted and combined to create a sauce.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top to coat it well, and allow it to heat through for another 2 minutes.
  • Serve the chicken hot, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired.

Notes

For added flavor, you can include capers in the sauce during Step 6.
Ensure not to overcrowd the pan while cooking the chicken to achieve a crispy texture.
Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice based on your taste preference; some enjoy it with a more pronounced lemon flavor.