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Chicken Francese

Golden, tender chicken cutlets in a buttery lemon-wine sauce that transforms ordinary chicken breasts into restaurant-quality comfort food.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), pounded thin
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
For the sauce
  • ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lemon, sliced for garnish

Method
 

  1. Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to ¼-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper, letting the flavors penetrate the meat for at least 5 minutes.
  2. Place flour in one shallow dish and beaten eggs in another to set up your dredging station.
  3. Dredge each piece first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip completely in beaten eggs. Let any excess egg drip off before cooking.
  4. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter stops foaming, add chicken pieces without overcrowding. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely.
  5. In the same pan, add white wine and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then whisk in cold butter one piece at a time until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Return chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and arrange lemon slices on top.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts the night before and store covered in refrigerator. Don't skip pounding the chicken for even cooking. Avoid high heat which burns coating. Add butter to pan when not screaming hot. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days, reheat gently in covered skillet with splash of chicken broth. Avoid microwave reheating.