Chicken Francese is a delicious and classic Italian-American dish known for its tender chicken and tangy lemon sauce. Here’s a simple recipe to make Chicken Francese at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
- Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken:
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow dish, beat the eggs with water until well combined.
- Dip each chicken breast into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Then dip into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Optional: Press each chicken breast into grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, for added flavor.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts.
- Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Let the sauce simmer until slightly reduced and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Finish and Serve:
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, turning them to coat in the sauce.
- Allow the chicken to heat through in the sauce for another minute.
- Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Serve the Chicken Francese hot, with additional lemon wedges if desired.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Francese with your favorite side dishes like pasta, rice, or vegetables. Buon appetito!
