If you’re a fan of Italian-American cuisine, chicken Francese is probably already at the top of your list. Tender chicken cutlets are pan-seared and bathed in a bright, savory lemon-butter sauce—making it the ultimate dinner for lemon lovers. Even better? You can have it ready in just about 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Why Use Chicken Cutlets?
For quick and even cooking, thin chicken cutlets are ideal. They’re usually available at the grocery store, pre-sliced by your butcher, which saves time. Don’t worry if you only have thick chicken breasts on hand—you can easily slice them into 1/4-inch cutlets at home by butterflying the meat horizontally from the thick end.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets (~1 lb total)
- 1/2 large lemon, thinly sliced, seeds removed
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- Juice of 1/2 large lemon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken:
In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1 tsp salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and water together. - Cook the Chicken:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge cutlets in flour, shake off excess, then coat with the egg mixture. Cook 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate. Work in batches if necessary. - Make the Sauce:
Remove excess oil from the skillet. Add lemon slices and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in wine, chicken broth, lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly reduced. - Finish the Sauce:
Rub the remaining 1 tbsp flour into butter to form a paste. Whisk into the skillet until melted and sauce is smooth. - Combine & Serve:
Return chicken to the skillet, cook 3–4 minutes until heated through and sauce thickens. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Storage Tips
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.