Chicken Francese Recipe
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.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 205mg
Keywords: Chicken Francese, lemon chicken, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, lemon butter sauce