Chicken Francaise – Lemony, Lush, and Elegant Yet Easy
Chicken Francaise (or Francese) is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken cutlets lightly battered and pan-fried, then bathed in a buttery lemon-wine sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight and fancy enough for guests.
🐔 Ingredients (Servings: 4)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 large breasts halved horizontally)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon slices, for garnish
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Chicken:
🔪 Pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off the excess.
2️⃣ Make the Egg Mixture:
🥚 In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, and water. Dip floured chicken into the egg mixture to fully coat.
3️⃣ Pan-Fry the Chicken:
🍳 Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
4️⃣ Make the Sauce:
🍋 In the same skillet, melt butter. Add white wine and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer another 3–5 minutes, until slightly reduced.
5️⃣ Finish and Serve:
🌿 Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over top. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices. Serve with pasta, rice, or sautéed spinach.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Chicken Francaise
- 🔪 Meat Tenderizer Mallet – For evenly flattening chicken breasts.
- 🥣 Shallow Dredging Bowls – Ideal for flour and egg mixtures.
- 🍳 Nonstick Skillet – Helps achieve that golden crust without sticking.
- 🧂 Mini Citrus Juicer – Extracts every drop of fresh lemon.
- 🍷 White Wine for Cooking – Choose one you’d also sip!
- 🌿 Fresh Herb Keeper – Keeps your parsley fresh longer.
💡 Helpful Tip
No wine? Use extra chicken broth and add a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the acidity. This dish also works beautifully with veal or thin-cut pork.