Chicken Francese is a timeless classic in Italian-American, loved for its tender chicken, tangy lemon-butter sauce, and restaurant-quality appeal for a dinner party or looking for a midweek meal upgrade.
What Is Chicken Francese?
Chicken Francese, also known as Chicken Française, is a dish where chicken cutlets are dredged in flour, dipped in egg, and sautéed to golden perfection. The dish is then simmered in a luscious sauce made from lemon juice, white wine, butter, and chicken broth, creating a tangy, creamy glaze that coats the chicken beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients for Chicken Francese:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless, and pounded thin for even cooking.
- Flour: For dredging, providing the first layer of coating.
- Eggs: Beaten to create the second layer of the crispy exterior.
- Lemon Juice: For the bright, citrusy tang in the sauce.
- White Wine: Adds depth and richness. (Substitute with chicken broth if preferred.)
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the sauce.
- Butter: For that velvety finish.
- Olive Oil: For sautéing.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Francese
- Pound Evenly: Ensure your chicken breasts are of uniform thickness to cook evenly.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a big difference in flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Egg Dredge: The egg coating creates the signature golden crust.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer. For a thicker sauce, whisk in a small amount of flour or cornstarch.
- Season Gradually: Taste the sauce as it simmers and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Variations on Chicken Francese
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour for dredging.
- Dairy-Free: Replace butter with a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or olive oil.
- Seafood Twist: Swap chicken with fish like sole or shrimp for a lighter variation.
- Herb-Infused: Add fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme for extra depth.
How to Serve Chicken Francese
Chicken Francese pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes:
- Pasta: Linguine or angel hair tossed in olive oil complements the sauce perfectly.
- Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy rice to soak up the lemon-butter sauce.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make for a healthy side.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes add comfort to the dish.
For a complete meal, add a crisp green salad and a crusty loaf of bread to mop up every last bit of sauce.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Francese
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water to revive the sauce.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make Chicken Francese ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the chicken and sauce separately, then combine and reheat just before serving.
2. What’s the difference between Chicken Francese and Chicken Piccata?
While both dishes use lemon and butter, Chicken Piccata includes capers and typically skips the egg-dredge step.
3. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs work well, though the cooking time may vary slightly.
4. Is white wine necessary?
No, you can substitute it with additional chicken broth for an alcohol-free version.
5. How do I thicken the sauce?
If your sauce isn’t thick enough, whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) and simmer until it thickens.
Chicken Francese
Chicken Francese is a timeless classic in Italian-American, loved for its tender chicken, tangy lemon-butter sauce, and restaurant-quality appeal for a dinner party or looking for a midweek meal upgrade.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless cut horizontally to form 8 flat fillets and pound to even 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick
- 2 eggs, large
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup chicken stock, reduced-sodium
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, extra-virgin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons parsley, chopped flat-leaf
- 1 lemon, 1/2 thinly sliced and seeded, 1/2 juiced
Instructions
- Take a pie plate and place flour and in another plate, whisk eggs with the water.
- Season chicken and flour with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture then dip into the egg mixture to coat.
- Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and melt 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil.
- Add the first 4 coated chicken pieces and cook until golden brown about 2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate.
- Wipe out skillet again add 1 tablespoon butter and oil and repeat the same for the remaining 4 pieces. Set chicken aside.
- Now Add 1 tablespoon each butter and oil along with the garlic to same skillet and stir until fragrant for about 30 seconds. Add wine, chicken stock and lemon juice. Simmer for 7 minutes, or until sauce is slightly reduced. Stir in lemon slices. Reduce heat to medium-low and swirl in remaining tablespoon butter.
- Return chicken pieces to skillet and spoon sauce and lemon slices over it. Simmer for 2 minutes, or until chicken is heated through. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or pasta.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
4Amount Per Serving Calories 556Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 227mgSodium 379mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 45g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry Try These Delicious Chicken Recipes:
- Nashville Hot Chicken
- Best Chicken Parmigiana Recipe
- Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
- Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Chicken Francese is more than just a dish—it’s an experience. From its crispy coating to its velvety sauce, every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors. Its versatility makes it ideal for both casual dinners and special occasions. Plus, with a few tweaks, it can cater to various dietary needs without losing its charm.
