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Crispy & Lemony Chicken Francese

Crispy & Lemony Chicken Francese
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Crispy & Lemony Chicken Francese is a delightful restaurant-quality dinner featuring tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts with a perfectly golden, crispy crust, served with a bright and tangy lemon sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy-to-make dish balances crispy textures and fresh lemon flavors, making it ideal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, thinly sliced chicken breasts

Breading

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Frying

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for finishing sauce)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into even, thin cutlets if not pre-sliced. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well and the chicken gets crispy.
  2. Set Up the Breading Station: Place the flour in one shallow dish. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken piece first into the flour, shaking off excess, then coat evenly with the egg mixture.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter and olive oil. Fry the coated chicken pieces in the skillet without crowding, cooking about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
  4. Make the Lemony Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant. Add chicken broth and freshly squeezed lemon juice, scraping the pan to deglaze. Let the sauce simmer until it slightly thickens, then stir in a pat of butter for richness.
  5. Combine and Serve: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the lemon sauce over each piece to coat. Warm through for a minute, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Uniform Thickness: Pound chicken cutlets evenly for consistent cooking and crispiness.
  • Freeze the Flour and Egg Bowls: Chilling these can prevent sogginess during breading.
  • Medium Heat Frying: Prevents burning outside and ensures thorough cooking inside.
  • Use Fresh Lemon Juice: For the brightest, freshest sauce flavor.
  • Rest Fried Chicken: Let rest on a wire rack to keep crust crispy and avoid sogginess.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Francese, Crispy Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Quick Dinner, Italian-American, Gluten-Free Option

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/crispy-lemony-chicken-francese/