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Chicken Francaise

A classic Italian-American dish featuring chicken breasts lightly battered and sautéed, served in a rich lemon-butter sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to about 1/2 inch thickness
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional, for added flavor
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for frying
For the Sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium recommended
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter cut into small pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures even cooking.
  2. Season the flour with salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Then dip into the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
  2. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use tongs to flip the chicken carefully.
  3. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Make the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  2. Add the chicken broth and lemon juice to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
  3. Stir in the butter, one piece at a time, until melted and the sauce is slightly thickened. This creates a rich, velvety texture.
Combine and Serve
  1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top to coat. Heat for another minute.
  2. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Serve hot with pasta or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. Adjust the lemon juice to your taste for more or less acidity.

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