How to Make Classic Chicken Francese

Chicken Francese is one of those timeless Italian-American dishes that’s both elegant enough for entertaining and simple enough for a cozy dinner at home. Its golden, lightly fried chicken cutlets bathed in a tangy lemon and white wine sauce deliver bold flavor without fuss.

Ready in under an hour, this dish strikes the perfect balance between comforting and fresh. Here's how to master it at home.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)

• All-purpose flour, for dredging

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 4 large eggs

• 3 tablespoons water

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced with rind

• 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions

1. Prep the Chicken
   Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to 1/4-inch thickness using a flat meat mallet. This ensures quick, even cooking.

2. Create a Coating Station
   In one shallow dish, mix flour with salt and pepper. In another, whisk the eggs with water to form an egg wash.

3. Pan-Fry the Cutlets
   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Add to the skillet and cook about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Set the cutlets aside on a platter.

4. Make the Lemon-Wine Sauce
   Add lemon slices to the same pan and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the white wine, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld and reduce slightly.

5. Thicken and Finish the Sauce
   Roll the butter in a little flour and whisk it into the simmering sauce to thicken. Reduce the heat and return the chicken to the pan. Top with the lemon slices and gently simmer for another 2 minutes to warm through.

6. Serve and Garnish
   Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Notes

While indulgent in flavor, Chicken Francese can still be part of a balanced meal when served with roasted vegetables, a simple salad, or steamed grains. Swapping white flour for whole wheat or using a lighter olive oil blend can modestly lower the calorie content without sacrificing taste.

Each serving offers a generous source of protein and benefits from the citrus’s dose of vitamin C. Opting for low-sodium chicken broth helps keep this dish heart-healthier.

What This Means for You

Classic dishes like Chicken Francese don’t just satisfy cravings they connect us to tradition while offering a chance to cook with real, whole ingredients. Whether you're prepping it for a midweek meal or a small dinner party, this lemon-forward recipe brings comfort and brightness to the table.

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