Chicken Francese (Chicken Française)
Elegant, lemony, and perfectly golden
Introduction
Chicken Francese (also known as Chicken Française) is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken cutlets lightly floured, dipped in egg, pan-fried until golden, and finished in a bright lemon-butter white wine sauce. It’s elegant enough for guests yet quick enough for a weeknight dinner.
Preparation Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Total: ~35 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 4)
Chicken
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 tbsp milk or water
3 tbsp olive oil
Lemon Francese Sauce
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
¾ cup chicken broth
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (optional, for thicker sauce)
Garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon slices
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.
Place flour in one shallow bowl.
Whisk eggs with milk in another bowl.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Dredge each cutlet lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
Dip into egg mixture, coating completely.
Step 3: Pan-Fry
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
In the same pan, melt butter.
Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
Deglaze with white wine; simmer 2–3 minutes.
Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest.
Simmer 4–5 minutes.
(Optional) Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer until slightly thickened.
Step 5: Finish
Return chicken to the pan.
Spoon sauce over cutlets and simmer 2–3 minutes to absorb flavor.
How It Works
Egg coating creates a delicate, golden crust
Lemon juice & zest bring signature brightness
Butter & wine balance acidity with richness
Serving Suggestions
Serve over angel hair pasta or rice
Pair with roasted potatoes or mashed potatoes
Add steamed asparagus or green beans
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days
Reheat gently on the stovetop with extra broth
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Francese is light, zesty, and irresistibly comforting—proof that simple ingredients can create restaurant-quality flavor at home. Once you master it, it’s sure to become a favorite lemon-chicken recipe 🍋✨