This Easy Chicken Francese recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional chicken dishes. Featuring tender chicken cutlets bathed in a lemony, buttery sauce, this Italian-American favorite is quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.
Ingredients for Easy Chicken Francese
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
How to Make Easy Chicken Francese
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Coat with flour: Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip in egg mixture: Dip the floured chicken cutlets into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess egg to drip off.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over both sides of the chicken cutlets, pressing lightly to adhere.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat oil and butter: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
- Cook chicken: Add the chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- Deglaze the skillet: Lower the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add chicken broth, white wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly reduced.
- Finish with butter: Add the remaining butter to the sauce, swirling until melted and incorporated.
Step 4: Serve
- Plate the chicken: Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, turning them to coat in the sauce.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken.
- Serve: Transfer the Chicken Francese to plates and spoon extra sauce over each serving. Serve immediately, accompanied by your favorite side dishes.
About the Main Ingredients
Chicken Breasts
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used in this recipe for their lean protein and mild flavor. Pounding them to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and quickly, making them ideal for this saucy dish.
Lemon and White Wine Sauce
The combination of lemon juice, lemon zest, and dry white wine creates a bright and tangy sauce that complements the savory chicken perfectly. Capers add a salty, briny note, while fresh parsley provides a fresh herbal finish.
Easy Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish that elevates simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal. Enjoy the tender chicken and flavorful sauce, served with pasta or crusty bread to soak up every delicious drop.
