Description
Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts dredged in flour and egg, then sautéed to a golden perfection and simmered in a tangy lemon, garlic, and white wine sauce. This flavorful and quick-to-make recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner and pairs beautifully with pasta or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
Sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white wine
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly.
- Set Up Dredging Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with the all-purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one empty plate to hold the coated chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs until fully coated.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the fresh lemon juice and chicken broth to the skillet. Let it simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning sauce over them to soak up flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, then serve hot over pasta or alongside crusty bread.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use fresh lemons rather than bottled lemon juice.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- White wine is recommended for authentic flavor, but you can substitute with more chicken broth if desired.
- Serve with a side of pasta or crusty bread to enjoy the delicious sauce.
