The Juiciest Chicken Francese Recipe Ever: Tangy Lemon Magic

Culinary magic happens when golden chicken meets a zesty lemon francese sauce that dances across your taste buds.

This classic Italian-American dish brings restaurant-quality elegance right to your kitchen.

Tender chicken cutlets get delicately coated in a light, crispy breading that promises pure deliciousness.

The bright, buttery sauce creates a symphony of flavors that will make your dinner feel like a special occasion.

Fresh ingredients and simple techniques combine to deliver a meal that’s both comforting and sophisticated.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of tangy and rich notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Chicken Francese, Classic Italian at Home

• Whip Up Quickly: Perfect for busy home cooks wanting a restaurant-quality meal without complex techniques or long preparation times.
• Elevate Family Dinners: Transforms ordinary chicken into a sophisticated dish that impresses both adults and kids with its delicious lemony flavor profile.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable recipe that works wonderfully for weeknight meals, special occasions, or when entertaining guests with minimal kitchen stress.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires basic pantry staples and creates a gourmet-tasting dish with just a few simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps.

Chicken Francese Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the primary protein for this classic Italian-American dish.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior for the chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.

• Eggs, Parmesan Cheese: Form a rich, cheesy coating that helps the flour adhere to the chicken and adds depth of flavor.

• Olive Oil: Provides a medium for frying the chicken with a smooth, rich taste.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory base for the sauce.
• White Wine: Contributes a subtle acidic and complex flavor to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and tanginess to balance the rich flavors.

• Lemon Slices, Parsley: Fresh elements that provide visual appeal and a burst of fresh flavor to complete the dish.

How to Make Chicken Francese

Step 1: Prepare and Season Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece gets an even coating of seasoning.

Step 2: Coat Chicken in Flour

Spread flour on a plate and carefully dredge each chicken breast, gently shaking off any excess flour to create a light, even layer.

Step 3: Create Egg Coating

In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs together with freshly grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and smooth.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Dip each floured chicken breast into the egg mixture, then carefully place in the hot pan.

Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the chicken turns a beautiful golden brown and is fully cooked through.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 5: Prepare Delicious Sauce

Using the same skillet, add butter, chicken broth, white wine, and fresh lemon juice.

Let the mixture simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Finish Cooking Chicken

Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces in the sauce.

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken to enhance its flavor and moisture.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the chicken and finish by adding fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley on top for a bright, fresh presentation.

Tips for Light, Lemony Chicken

• Select thin, evenly cut chicken breasts to ensure uniform cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Thoroughly pat chicken breasts with paper towels before dredging in flour to achieve a crispier, golden-brown exterior.
• Maintain medium heat while frying to prevent burning and promote even, golden browning of the chicken.
• Adjust white wine and lemon juice proportions to create a harmonious, tangy sauce that complements the chicken without overpowering it.
• Monitor chicken cooking time carefully to keep meat juicy and prevent dryness, aiming for just 3-4 minutes per side.

Francese Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Chicken Francese: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or omit entirely. Use dairy-free butter alternative or olive oil for the sauce.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or seitan, using the same breading and cooking method. Adjust cooking time to ensure proper crispiness and internal temperature.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use crushed pork rinds or ground almonds instead of flour for coating. Replace white wine with extra chicken broth to maintain sauce consistency.

Plating Chicken Francese Like a Pro

• Elegant Plate Presentation: Arrange golden chicken breasts on a pristine white plate, drizzling the bright, zesty sauce elegantly around the edges for a restaurant-quality look.
• Complementary Side Companions: Serve alongside creamy garlic mashed potatoes or angel hair pasta to soak up the delicious lemon-wine sauce, creating a perfectly balanced meal.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Select a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the dish's light, citrusy flavors and complement the delicate chicken preparation.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or add a small lemon wedge on the side to brighten the plate and provide a pop of fresh color and optional extra zest.

Chicken Francese Storage Tips

• Store leftover chicken francese in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the sauce covers the chicken to prevent drying.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Chicken francese can be frozen for up to 2 months without compromising taste or texture.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature and stopping when warm throughout.

FAQs

• What is the purpose of dredging chicken in flour before cooking?

Coating the chicken in flour helps create a crispy exterior and allows the egg mixture to adhere better, resulting in a golden, crunchy texture when pan-fried.

• Can I use a different type of cheese instead of Parmesan?

While Parmesan adds a unique flavor, you can substitute with Romano or Pecorino cheese for a similar tangy taste and texture.

• Why do I need to simmer the sauce before adding the chicken back?

Simmering reduces the sauce, concentrating the flavors of chicken broth, wine, and lemon juice, which creates a more intense and rich sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.

Chicken Francese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory chicken francese delights palates with its zesty lemon-butter sauce and golden-crusted chicken cutlets. Italian-American culinary magic brings crisp, tender chicken to your plate, promising a restaurant-quality meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dry Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon capers
• Salt
• Pepper

Wet Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup dry white wine
• 2 lemons (juice)
• 1 lemon (zest)
• Fresh parsley (chopped)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Gently coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning.
2. Dredge each piece thoroughly in flour, tapping to remove excess coating.
3. Whisk eggs and Parmesan cheese together in a shallow dish until well combined.
4. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F) until shimmering.
5. Dunk floured chicken into egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then carefully place in hot skillet.
6. Cook chicken 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm.
8. In the same skillet, melt butter and quickly deglaze with chicken broth, white wine, and fresh lemon juice.
9. Simmer sauce for 4-5 minutes, allowing liquid to reduce and flavors to concentrate.
10. Gently return chicken to skillet, coating each piece with the tangy sauce.
11. Let chicken absorb sauce flavors for 2-3 minutes.
12. Plate chicken and generously drizzle remaining sauce over the top.
13. Garnish with bright lemon slices and freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are evenly pounded to guarantee uniform cooking and tender texture.
• Choose fresh, high-quality lemons for the brightest, most vibrant sauce flavor.
• Pat chicken completely dry before flouring to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior without excess moisture.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a lighter coating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 304 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 310 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg