If you’re craving a dish that is fresh, vibrant, and downright delicious, the Chicken Francese Recipe is exactly what you need on your dinner table. This classic Italian-American favorite features tender chicken breasts lightly coated, sautéed to golden perfection, and drenched in a luscious lemony butter sauce that’s bright and comforting all at once. It’s a wonderful way to impress family or guests without spending hours in the kitchen, and trust me, once you try this Chicken Francese Recipe, it will become a beloved staple in your home cooking rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chicken Francese Recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a crucial role in crafting its unforgettable flavor and texture. From zesty lemon juice to fresh parsley, every component adds brightness, bite, or richness to the final dish.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Pounded to an even thickness for quick, uniform cooking and tender bites.
- 2 large eggs: Provide the silky coating to help the flour stick and create the perfect crust.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Seasoned lightly, it forms the golden crust that locks in moisture.
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice: Adds fresh, tangy brightness essential to the sauce’s character.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Contributes savory depth and helps create the luscious pan sauce.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: Offers a vibrant green garnish and a herby finish.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Enhances and balances all the flavors perfectly.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: Creates richness and a smooth, velvety sauce.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Adds aromatic warmth and a touch of sharpness to the sauce.
- 1/4 cup white wine: Lifts the sauce with subtle acidity and complexity.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: For a light, golden sear on the chicken breasts.
How to Make Chicken Francese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
The key to beautifully tender Chicken Francese is getting your chicken breasts to an even thickness. Place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly, without drying out or remaining underdone in spots. It’s a simple but important step for that perfect texture you’ll love.
Step 2: Set up Your Dredging Station
Create a three-dish station for dredging your chicken: one plate with seasoned all-purpose flour, another with beaten eggs, and an empty plate ready to rest the coated chicken. This organized setup lets you dip each piece in order to achieve that signature airy, golden crust that makes Chicken Francese so irresistible.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Dip each pounded chicken breast first into the flour, making sure it’s thoroughly coated and shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs. This double coating is crucial—it helps the chicken develop the classic light crust when cooked. It’s a straightforward step that elevates the dish from simple to stunning.
Step 4: Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully add the coated chicken breasts and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until each side is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. This step locks in moisture while giving the chicken that delightful crust that’s the heart of the Chicken Francese Recipe.
Step 5: Make the Luscious Sauce
In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken, add butter over medium heat and melt it gently. Toss in the minced garlic, sautéing just until fragrant—around 30 seconds—so it doesn’t burn but releases its aroma. Pour in the white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan. This, my friend, is where the magic happens as we build the sauce’s depth.
Step 6: Finish the Sauce and Combine
Pour in the fresh lemon juice and chicken broth, then let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly into a glossy sauce. Now, nestle the chicken breasts back into the skillet so they can soak up all those incredible flavors. This step infuses every bite with brightness and buttery richness, a hallmark of the Chicken Francese Recipe.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve Hot
Sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley over the chicken for a pop of color and herbal freshness. Serve the chicken hot over a bed of pasta, alongside roasted vegetables, or simply with crusty bread to mop up every last drop of that heavenly sauce. Your Chicken Francese Recipe is ready to wow!
How to Serve Chicken Francese Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley not only brightens up the dish visually but also adds a fresh, mildly peppery note that complements the lemony sauce perfectly. For an extra touch, you could add thin lemon slices or zest on top for an appealing presentation that hints at the dish’s vibrant flavors.
Side Dishes
Chicken Francese shines alongside simple pasta tossed in olive oil and herbs or buttery mashed potatoes that soak up the sauce beautifully. Steamed or roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli add crunch and balance, making your meal both colorful and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning feast, consider plating the chicken atop a bed of lemon-infused risotto or creamy polenta. You could also make individual servings in shallow bowls drizzled with extra sauce and garnished with parsley and lemon wedges, creating a dish that’s as elegant as it is comforting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Chicken Francese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place the chicken and sauce together to keep it moist and flavorful. Just remember to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating to maintain the best texture.
Freezing
While fresh is always best for this recipe, you can freeze cooked Chicken Francese. Place the chicken with sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently. This way, you’ll have a delightful meal ready whenever cravings strike.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at medium power, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if necessary to loosen the sauce. Avoid high heat to keep the chicken tender and prevent the sauce from breaking. This careful reheating preserves the luscious texture and taste you love in the Chicken Francese Recipe.
FAQs
What cut of chicken is best for Chicken Francese Recipe?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best because they cook evenly and absorb the sauce beautifully. Make sure to pound them to an even thickness so nothing ends up over or undercooked.
Can I make Chicken Francese gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Is Chicken Francese the same as Chicken Piccata?
They are similar but distinct dishes. Chicken Francese features a batter-coated chicken sautéed and served with a lemon-butter sauce, while Chicken Piccata typically involves dredging in flour and a sauce with lemon, capers, and often white wine. Both are delightful in their own right!
What wine pairs well with Chicken Francese?
A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the bright lemony sauce nicely, enhancing the freshness without overpowering the delicate chicken flavors.
Can I prepare this recipe without wine?
Yes, if you prefer to skip the wine, just replace it with additional chicken broth and a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to maintain acidity and flavor depth.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Francese Recipe is truly a gem of a meal: bright, buttery, easy to make, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for weeknight family dinners or special occasions, it’s one of those dishes that never fails to impress. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite comfort food that everyone asks for again and again!
Print
Chicken Francese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts dipped in flour and eggs, pan-fried to golden perfection, and served in a bright, flavorful lemon-butter sauce with a hint of garlic and white wine. This elegant yet simple recipe is perfect for a dinner that feels special but comes together quickly.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Set up dredging station: Arrange three shallow dishes—one with seasoned flour, another with beaten eggs, and an empty one for assembly.
- Dredge the chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs until well coated on both sides.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer sauce: Add fresh lemon juice and chicken broth to the skillet. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan to soak up the lemon sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot over pasta or with crusty bread.
Notes
- Pound chicken evenly to avoid uneven cooking.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- White wine can be substituted with additional chicken broth if desired.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the sauce at its best consistency.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour for dredging.
