Easy to Make Chicken Francaise
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
Chicken Francaise is chicken cutlet in an INSANELY DELICIOUS sauce of fresh lemon, dry white wine, and generous heaps of sweet cream butter! It’s an easy to follow one skillet wonder using simple ingredients.
Chicken Française, a classic Italian-American creation born in upstate New York. This delicious dish, crafted with tender chicken and a light lemon sauce, is a testament to the ingenuity of Italian immigrants. It’s a wonderful twist on chicken piccata, boasting a unique lemony sauce that sets it apart.
Love Chicken Française? Fun fact: you won’t find ‘Francese’ or ‘Française’ on Italian menus. This Italian-American gem, born in the USA and spiced by Italian immigrants, adapts an old-world recipe that originally called for veal. While ‘Chicken Francese’ translates to ‘Chicken French’ in Italian, the exact spelling remains a delightful mystery. But one thing’s certain – this ‘Chicken French’ dish is fabulous!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Simplicity Meets Flavor: With simple ingredients like fresh lemons and olive oil, this dish brings a burst of flavor with every bite.
Elegant Yet Easy: Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned cook, this recipe guarantees a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Versatile and Delicious: Perfectly golden brown chicken pieces in a tangy lemon butter sauce make this dish a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients To Make Chicken Francaise
After a brief tryst in flour, the cutlets are dipped in egg, then back into flour before being sautéed in olive oil until golden brown. The resulting texture is altogether velvety on the outside while juicy and tender on the inside.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Flatten them to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Select fresh, organic boneless breasts for this dish. Ensure they are pinkish in color. Find them in the poultry section.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings found in the spice aisle. If you do not have Kosher salt, substitute with sea salt.
- All-purpose flour: For the flour mixture, creating a velvety coating. Gluten-free options work too.
- Eggs: Whisked for the egg wash using light cream, milk, or in a pinch, a tablespoon of water.
- Lemon juice and slices: Fresh lemons provide the best flavor. Locate them in the produce section.
- Unsalted butter: A key component for sautéing and the lemon butter sauce.
- Extra virgin olive oil: For cooking the chicken pieces over medium-high heat.
- Dry white wine: Choose a good quality wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
- Chicken stock or broth: Adds depth to the pan sauce.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Anchovy paste – this additional ingredient would be typical of this same dish using veal and offers an umami profile when it merges with lemon.
- Brown butter lemon slices – sauté both sides in brown butter before adding BOTH the lemon slices and the brown butter to the sauce for an absolutely over the top dish.
- Less Pungency – this recipe is incredibly good, but ‘lemon intense.’ Avoid adding the lemon slices to the finishing sauce at the end to reduce the acidity.
Step by Step Instructions
The crucial step of simmering the silky sauce until it reduces by half intensifies the star flavor of the ingredient list, the lemon.
Tip: Pound Cutlets Thin!
Cook cutlets quickly and evenly. Place between two sheets of plastic wrap and use the flat side of a meat mallet to pound to 1/4-inch thickness.
Coat the Chicken Cutlets
Step 1: In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together two large eggs and 2 tablespoons of light cream. Set aside. (Image 1)
Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper together with 1 cup of the flour. (Image 2)
Step 3: Season chicken cutlets with Kosher salt and dredge in flour mixture shaking off the excess. Dip in egg mixture and let excess drip off the coated chicken. (Image 3)
Step 4. Transfer to the flour once again, turning to coat thoroughly. Gently shake off excess flour. (Image 4)
Sauté the Cutlets
Step 5: Using a large skillet for even cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. (Image 5)
Step 6: As you place the cutlets directly into the hot skillet, lay them down away from you to prevent hot oil and butter from splashing toward you. Over medium heat, sauté 2 cutlets at a time, turning once, until the chicken is golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a platter to keep warm. Repeat with remaining cutlets. Carefully wipe the skillet clean. (Image 6)
Step 7: Create the sauce with lemon juice, zest, white wine, and chicken stock by adding 3 tablespoons butter to the now empty skillet over medium heat. Toss in 1/4 cup of chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally until soft. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of flour over the onion and garlic mixture and stir for 2 minutes. It’s normal for the flour and bits of onion to begin sticking to the bottom of the pan. (Image 7)
Step 8: Pour in 1/2 cup wine, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and 2 cups of chicken broth. Increase heat and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pan with the back of a spoon. Lower heat and simmer to reduce sauce to about 1 1/2 cups, about 10 minutes. It will appear slightly thickened. (Image 8)
Simmer the Francaise Sauce
Step 9: Slice a lemon into 6 to 8 thin slices. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the sauce and stir until the sauce is glossy and the butter is melted. (Image 9)
Step 10: Add half the lemon slices to the sauce and then return the chicken to the sauce. Add the remaining half of lemon slices to the top of the cutlets. Heat gently for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, or until heated through. Cut heat and allow to stand 5 minutes to hasten additional thickening. (Image 10)
Step 11: If serving with pasta, remove the cutlets and lemons from the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Twirl taking care to coat the noodles well. (Image 11)
Step 12: Arrange the chicken over the pasta. Top the chicken with the sautéed lemon slices. To plate this dish, serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. (Image 12)
Jenny’s Recipe Pro Tips
- Slice the chicken breasts straight from your refrigerator while they are still cold and very firm.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – fry in batches. Overcrowding causes steam and makes for a soggy coating.
- If doubling the sauce only, extend the simmering time by 5 to 8 minutes – added liquid will naturally take longer to reduce.
- For a less intense lemon flavor, adjust the amount of lemon juice.
Recipe FAQs
Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Yes, Francaise may be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in a medium saucepan for best results.
A good quality dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio enhances the flavor.
More One-Pan Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
After trying this recipe, I would love to hear your thoughts! Consider leaving a star rating in the recipe card located below or sharing your feedback in the comment section. Your reviews and comments are highly valued and appreciated.
Easy To Make Chicken Française
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts each breast sliced in half lengthwise, pounded to 1/4" thickness
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons light cream or milk
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup + 2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour divided
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup Vidalia onion chopped, or other sweet onion
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 cups chicken stock or broth use homemade chicken stock if on hand
- ¼ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed, about 2 juicy lemons
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 large lemon sliced, about 6 to 8 thin slices
- parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together eggs and cream. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine salt and pepper with 1 cup of flour.
- Season chicken cutlets with a pinch of salt and dredge in flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Dip in egg mixture and let excess drip off the coated chicken. Transfer to the flour once again, turning to coat thoroughly. Gently shake off extra flour.
- Heat the olive oil with 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Over medium heat, sauté 2 cutlets at a time, turning once, until the chicken is golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a platter to keep warm. Repeat with remaining cutlets. Carefully wipe the skillet clean.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter to the now empty skillet over medium heat. Add in the onion and cook until soft. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté 1 minute. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of flour over the onion and garlic mixture and stir for 2 minutes. It's normal for the flour and bits of onion to begin sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Pour in wine, lemon juice, zest, and chicken broth. Increase heat and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pan with the back of a spoon. Lower heat and simmer to reduce the sauce to about 1 1/2 cups, about 10 minutes. The sauce will be slightly thickened.
- Slice a lemon into 6 to 8 thin slices. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the sauce and stir until the sauce is glossy and the butter is melted.
- Add half the lemon slices to the sauce and then return the chicken to the sauce. Add the remaining half of the lemon slices to the top of the cutlets. Heat gently for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once or until heated through. Cut the heat and allow to stand for 5 minutes to hasten additional thickening.
- If serving with pasta, remove the cutlets and lemons from the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Twirl, taking care to coat the noodles well. Arrange the chicken over the pasta. Top the chicken with the sautéed lemon slices. To plate this dish, serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese.
Notes
The nutrition value can vary depending on what product(s) you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
Please note that table salt and iodized salt are NOT substitutions for Kosher salt. Do not deviate unless otherwise specified.
This was so good, hubby devoured it! Served it with fettuccini, and the leftovers were even better the next day!
Megan, ‘a way to a man’s heart’ as they say, right? So glad it was worth the time you put into making it special 🙂 Jenny
Oh wow. This recipe was as delicious as it was beautiful. Rich and flavorful, my family has already asked me to make it again next week. Thanks for sharing.
Carla, I am happy to know this dish might make it onto your table again! Funny enough, it’s what we are having tonight, too! x – Jenny
The chicken turned out really tender and delicious! I love the lemon garlic sauce. Easy, perfect for any meal!
Ivy, YEAH!!! People don’t believe me, this is ‘marry me’ quality date night, and ‘mom, what’s for dinner’ weeknight easy! Thank you for coming back to comment, Ivy! x – Jenny
Made this chicken francaise for my grandmum and she really enjoyed it! It’s so tender, absolutely delicious and I so LOVE the flavors!
Miranda, I’m glad this recipe is ‘grandmum approved!’ Thank you for taking time out to circle back and let me know this! x – Jenny
Since I don’t have dry white wine, I decided to switch it out the for chicken broth, and it worked perfectly! I also paired it with some easy roasted vegetables, and it was the so yum and filling!
Tricia, how wonderful that this turned out soooo delish without the use of the white wine. Others will surely want to know the answer to this same question, and here you have answered it for them and me! Thanks, Tricia! Jenny
Amazing!
My goodness, Samantha – THANK YOU! x – Jenny 🙂
What a beautiful meal! Thank you for sharing with SSPS, please come back and join us next Monday as well. Have a great week ahead, take care.
Thank you from your SSPS Team and Esme for sharing your various links with us at #268 SSPS Linky.
Esmé, thank YOU for the lovely invitation to do so and for hosting! x – Jenny
Thank you from your SSPS Team for sharing your links with us at #269 SSPS Linky!
Well, you pulled my unprepared a** out of serious trouble when my inlaws arrived unannounced 3 days ago! I had zero food in the house all but for a few chicken breasts in the freezer and a single lemon. I was able to pull this recipe off without needing to so much as run to the store or place an instacart order and EVERYBODY LOVED IT! I was also shocked at how many cutlets a single chicken breast makes. From 3 costco size pieces of chicken (they are huge) I got 9 cutlets and among 4 people we still had 2 leftover cutlets when dinner was over. I am a newish bride, so pulling this off to prove my MIL that I can cook was important! I will always follow you and signed up for your email. Thank you from a Chicago, IL new bride!
Margaret, MY WORD! You ROCKSTAR you!!! Glad this worked out and humbled the ‘win’ gave you a ‘boost’ where your mother-in-law is concerned! 😉 I am in the throes of updating EVERY SINGLE POST on this website so stay tuned for refreshed old content, some new and never before seen content, and an overall helpful instruction for each recipe! I got your back, Margaret! xo
I don’t cook with wine. What can I use instead?
Mary, easy enough – increase the chicken stock or chicken broth by 1/4 to 1/2-cup. Your simmer time should remain the same. Let me know how the recipe tastes for you! 🙂 Jenny