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Chicken Francese

Chicken Francese is a delicious Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in flour, dipped in egg, and sautéed to golden perfection. The dish is finished with a zesty lemon butter sauce, creating a delightful combination of flavors. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasions.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4 People
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 shallow dish
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 meat mallet or rolling pin for flattening chicken
  • 1 tongs or spatula
  • 1 paper towels

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 1.5 lbs total.
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour For dredging.
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil For sautéing.
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice About 2 lemons.
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick).
  • as needed garnish chopped parsley For garnish.

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preparing your chicken breasts. Place one breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound to about ½ inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Repeat for the remaining breasts.
  • In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, coating both sides. Shake off any excess flour, then dip into the egg mixture, ensuring full coverage.
  • Carefully place the coated chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches if your skillet is not large enough.
  • Once cooked, transfer the chicken breasts to a plate and cover to keep warm.
  • In the same skillet, add the chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  • Stir in the butter until melted and well combined, forming a rich sauce.
  • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spoon some sauce over each piece, and cook for an additional minute to heat through.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Serve with the remaining sauce over the chicken.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) to the simmering broth and lemon juice.
This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or a fresh green salad.
You can substitute the chicken with thinly sliced veal for a traditional touch.