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Lemon Butter Chicken Francese Recipe

3.9 from 53 reviews

Lemon Butter Chicken Francese is a delightful Italian-American dish featuring tender, thinly pounded chicken breasts coated in a Parmesan-enriched egg batter, pan-fried to golden perfection, and served with a tangy lemon butter sauce. This recipe combines savory and citrus flavors in a simple skillet method, making it a quick and elegant dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Crust

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce and Garnish

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Crust: Season the pounded chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper. Place the flour in one shallow dish, and in another shallow dish, combine the beaten eggs with the grated Parmesan cheese. Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg-Parmesan mixture, coating completely.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the unsalted butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium heat until hot and shimmering. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, keeping warm.
  3. Make the Sauce: Pour the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice into the same skillet, scraping the bottom to loosen and incorporate any browned bits left from cooking the chicken. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, reducing slightly to intensify the flavors.
  4. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the lemon butter sauce over the top to coat. Let them warm together for a minute. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish and garnish with lemon slices before serving hot.

Notes

  • You can customize the seasonings by adding garlic powder, crushed red pepper, or herbs like thyme or basil to suit your taste.
  • For a lighter version, use less butter and substitute olive oil accordingly.
  • Make sure to pound the chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
  • Serve with pasta, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: Lemon Butter Chicken, Chicken Francese, Parmesan Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner, Italian Chicken Recipe