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Chicken Francese Recipe

4.2 from 48 reviews

Chicken Francese is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts lightly coated in flour and egg, pan-fried to a golden perfection, and served in a tangy lemon and white wine sauce. This flavorful and elegant recipe comes together quickly and makes for a delightful dinner that pairs well with pasta or a fresh salad.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper (or to taste)
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)

Sauce

  • 1 large lemon (sliced into thin rounds, seeds removed)
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: In a shallow dish, combine ½ cup flour, salt, and pepper. In a separate dish, beat the eggs thoroughly. Dip each chicken breast half first into the flour mixture, coating it completely, then dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: Using the same skillet, sauté the lemon slices for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the chicken broth, white wine, and lemon juice to the pan, stirring to combine and scraping any browned bits from the bottom. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon flour with a little water to form a slurry, then whisk it into the sauce along with the butter. Continue whisking and cooking for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Combine and simmer: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to warm through.
  5. Serve: Plate the chicken pieces, spoon the lemon sauce over them, and garnish generously with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Notes

  • For best results, pound chicken breasts evenly before coating to ensure they cook uniformly.
  • If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute white wine with additional chicken broth or a splash of white grape juice.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for brighter flavor compared to bottled juice.
  • Serve with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
  • Ensure the skillet is hot enough before frying to achieve a crisp, golden crust on the chicken.

Keywords: Chicken Francese, lemon chicken, Italian chicken recipe, pan-fried chicken, lemon wine sauce