The Zesty Lemon-Kissed Chicken Francese Recipe You’ll Adore

Mastering a delightful chicken francese can revolutionize your weeknight dinner approach with minimal effort.

Italian cuisine offers remarkable simplicity through elegant techniques.

Light and zesty lemon notes complement the tender chicken perfectly.

Professional chefs understand how carefully selected ingredients make extraordinary meals shine.

Delicate egg coating creates a golden, crispy exterior that delights every palate.

Wine and butter combine into a luxurious sauce that elevates this classic dish.

This recipe promises restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen, so let’s get cooking!

Why Chicken Francese Is a Must-Try

• Conquer Quick Weeknight Dinners: Dive into a hassle-free meal that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece with minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps.
• Master Foolproof Cooking: No culinary expertise needed – this recipe guarantees perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every single time with fool-proof seasoning and straightforward skillet technique.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize the dish by swapping herbs, experimenting with different spice blends, or pairing with your favorite sides for a versatile meal that never gets boring.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Boost: Crowd-pleasing recipe that satisfies both picky eaters and food lovers, delivering delicious protein everyone will enjoy without complicated preparation.

Ingredients for Chicken Francese Preparation

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, boneless meat that serves as the main protein in this classic Italian-American dish.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides a crispy exterior and helps the egg mixture adhere to the chicken.
• Eggs: Create a rich, golden coating that adds flavor and helps the flour stick to the chicken.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, nutty flavor to the egg mixture and enhances the overall taste.

• Olive Oil: Used for frying the chicken and adding a light, fruity flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a rich, savory base for the sauce.
• White Wine: Adds depth and acidity to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brings brightness and tanginess to the dish.
• Butter: Creates a smooth, silky texture in the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a fresh, herbal garnish that adds color and a light, clean taste.
• Lemon Slices: Provides an extra burst of citrus flavor and a decorative touch.

Chicken Francese Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Tenderize Chicken

Gently pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap using a meat mallet until they reach an even, thin consistency. This helps the chicken cook evenly and become more tender.

Step 2: Prepare Seasoned Coating

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Spread flour on a flat plate and carefully coat each chicken piece, shaking off any excess flour to create a light, even layer.

Step 3: Create Egg Dipping Mixture

• Eggs
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Mix until ingredients are fully combined and create a smooth, creamy texture.

Step 4: Sizzle The Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Dip each flour-coated chicken piece into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully place chicken in hot skillet and fry until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes per side.

Step 5: Craft Delectable Sauce

• Chicken broth
• White wine
• Fresh lemon juice

Stir ingredients together, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the pan.

Step 6: Finish With Butter

Add butter to the sauce and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes, creating a rich, velvety consistency.

Step 7: Complete Cooking

Return chicken to the skillet, letting it simmer in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes until fully cooked through.

Step 8: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken.

Plate with extra lemon slices for a bright, zesty touch.

Best Advice for Chicken Francese Success

• Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender texture.
• Pat chicken dry before dredging to help flour coating stick perfectly and create crispy exterior.
• Use fresh lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant sauce flavor compared to bottled alternatives.
• Let chicken rest briefly after cooking to retain moisture and allow juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
• Choose a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for the most balanced sauce complexity.

Creative Twists on Chicken Francese

• Herb-Crusted Chicken Francese: Coat the chicken with a mixture of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano before dredging in flour for extra flavor.
• Spicy Mediterranean Chicken: Add red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of za'atar to the egg mixture for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Almond Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a lighter, nutty alternative.
• Crispy Parmesan Coating: Mix grated Parmesan cheese directly into the flour mixture for a crunchier, more cheesy exterior.

Chicken Francese Perfect Serving Ideas

• Twirl some linguine or angel hair pasta as a perfect base for your golden-brown chicken francese.
• Drizzle the bright, buttery pan sauce over the pasta to create a harmonious, zesty meal.
• Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top for a delightful cheesy finish.
• Create a light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette that complements the chicken's tangy flavors.
• Toss in fresh cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes for added crunch and color.
• Serve chilled alongside the warm chicken for a refreshing contrast.
• Prepare roasted asparagus or green beans seasoned with garlic and olive oil.

How to Store Chicken Francese Safely

• Place leftover Chicken Francese in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the chicken completely to prevent drying out and maintain its moisture.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat to prevent overcooking. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the meat tender and prevent it from becoming dry or rubbery.

FAQs

• What makes the egg mixture special in this recipe?

The egg mixture includes Parmesan cheese, which adds rich, savory flavor and helps create a crispy, golden coating on the chicken.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

While chicken breasts are traditional, you can substitute chicken thighs, but adjust cooking time since thighs are typically thicker and may require longer cooking.

• Why do I need to pound the chicken before cooking?

Pounding the chicken ensures even thickness, which helps the chicken cook uniformly and prevents dry or undercooked sections, resulting in tender and juicy meat.

• How important is the white wine in the sauce?

White wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce, providing a subtle acidity and richness that balances the lemon and butter, creating a more sophisticated flavor profile.

Chicken Francese Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory chicken francese brings Italian-American culinary magic to home kitchens with tender chicken cutlets in a silky lemon butter sauce. Sophisticated yet simple, this classic dish offers restaurant-quality flavor that delights you at first bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Using a meat mallet, flatten chicken breasts to uniform 1/4-inch thickness for even cooking.
2. Generously season chicken with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then thoroughly coat each piece in all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
3. Whisk eggs in a shallow dish, incorporating grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and texture.
4. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2-3 minutes.
5. Carefully dredge floured chicken through egg mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Gently place coated chicken into hot skillet, cooking until golden brown and crispy, roughly 3-4 minutes per side.
7. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate, keeping warm.
8. Deglaze the same skillet with chicken broth, white wine, and fresh lemon juice, scraping browned bits from pan bottom.
9. Reduce heat and swirl in cold butter, creating a silky, emulsified sauce while simmering for 4-5 minutes.
10. Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into sauce and simmering an additional 3-4 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
11. Finish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley and serving with lemon wedges for extra brightness.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is evenly pounded to guarantee consistent cooking and tender texture throughout the meat.
• Shake off excess flour before dipping in egg mixture to prevent clumpy, heavy coating that can become greasy.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer flavor and better egg mixture consistency compared to pre-packaged cheese.
• Choose a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the sauce’s brightness without overpowering the delicate chicken.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 362 kcal
• Sugar: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg