Print

Chicken Francese Recipe

Chicken Francese Recipe

5.2 from 8 reviews

Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, lightly breaded chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served in a tangy, buttery lemon sauce. This flavorful entrée combines the brightness of fresh lemon with the richness of butter and white wine, making it a delightful meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise

Sauce:

  • 1 large lemon, sliced into thin rounds, seeds removed
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In another shallow dish, beat the 3 eggs. Dip each chicken breast first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, coating evenly. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat and fry chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  2. Make the lemon sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the lemon slices over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to release flavor. Add 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup dry white wine, and 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon flour and 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter to form a paste, then stir this into the simmering sauce. Cook while whisking until the sauce thickens to a smooth consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Combine and serve: Return the fried chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors and warm the chicken through. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For best results, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before dredging for uniform cooking.
  • If you prefer a less tangy sauce, reduce the amount of lemon juice slightly.
  • Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for the sauce to avoid sweetness.
  • This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.
  • To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for dredging and thickening the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Francese, lemon chicken, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, lemon butter sauce