Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish that features tender chicken cutlets coated in a light egg batter, then fried to golden perfection and served with a tangy lemon butter sauce. This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner, a special celebration, or a cozy night in. The combination of crispy chicken and zesty lemon sauce makes this dish a standout that everyone will love.
Chicken Francese
Why This Chicken Francese Is the Best
- Tender Chicken: The chicken cutlets are pounded thin and coated in a light egg batter, ensuring they are tender and juicy.
- Crispy Coating: The egg batter creates a crispy and golden exterior that adds a delightful texture.
- Tangy Lemon Sauce: The lemon butter sauce is bright and tangy, perfectly complementing the crispy chicken.
- Simple and Elegant: This dish is easy to prepare but looks and tastes elegant, making it perfect for entertaining.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or something special to serve at a dinner party, this Chicken Francese is the perfect choice. The combination of tender chicken, crispy coating, and tangy lemon sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: The main protein, providing a tender and juicy base for the dish.
- Flour: Used for dredging the chicken, creating a light coating that crisps up when cooked.
- Eggs: Provide a rich, flavorful binding for the flour and help create a delicate crust on the chicken.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor while sautéing the chicken, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- Chicken broth: Serves as the base for the sauce, adding depth and savory flavor.
- Lemons: Both the juice and slices contribute acidity and brightness, balancing the richness of the dish.
- Garlic powder and paprika: Enhance the flavor profile with aromatic notes, adding warmth and complexity.
- Cornstarch and water: Used to thicken the sauce, ensuring a silky texture that clings to the chicken.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Francese
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh lemons and high-quality butter.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the chicken in batches to ensure they cook evenly and stay crispy.
- Serve Immediately: For the best texture, serve the chicken immediately after frying and topping with the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- With Pasta: Serve Chicken Francese over a bed of pasta for a complete meal.
- With Vegetables: Pair it with steamed or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
- With Rice: Serve with a side of rice to soak up the delicious lemon butter sauce.
- With a Salad: Pair with a fresh green salad for a light and refreshing meal.
A Must Try
There’s nothing quite like the taste of Chicken Francese. This dish is the perfect way to treat yourself or your loved ones to something special. Tender, crispy, and irresistibly delicious, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
Be sure to check out these other delicious dinner recipes!
Chicken Florentine
Lemon Chicken Pasta
Chinese Orange Chicken
Chicken Francese
Whenever you're looking to impress at dinner, this Chicken Francese features tender, pan-fried chicken cutlets coated in a luscious lemon butter sauce, creating a bright and elegant dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut in half
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 large eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter divided
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 2 lemons 1 juiced and 1 sliced
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp water
Instructions
- Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper, then coat each piece lightly in flour.
- In a large pan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken to the pan and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, whisk together broth, garlic powder, paprika, the remaining butter, and lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to bubble gently.
- Next, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Stir this mixture into the skillet to help thicken the sauce, allowing it to cook for 3-4 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, placing lemon slices on top. Let everything simmer together, allowing the sauce to reduce by half for an additional 8-10 minutes.
Notes
Serving: This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be safely served and kept at room temperature for up to two hours. After this time, the risk of food bacteria forming increases, making it unsafe to eat.
Storing: If you need to pause before pan-frying your chicken, you can safely store uncooked, thawed chicken covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for about one day. Floured chicken can be kept for a similar duration, but any longer may compromise its safety. Once Chicken Francese is fully cooked, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
Freezing: For longer storage, cooked Chicken Francese can be placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to three months. You can also prepare the chicken in advance by dredging it in the flour mixture and freezing it uncooked, allowing for easy cooking later on.
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Chicken Francese