How to Make Chicken Francese: A Delicious Italian-American Classic

Chicken Francese is a classic Italian dish that is popular for its crispy texture and tangy flavor. If you’re looking for a tasty and easy-to-make meal for your family, then look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to make Chicken Francese in a relaxed and easy-to-understand language.

To start with, Chicken Francese is a dish that is typically made by dipping chicken pieces in a mixture of eggs and flour before frying them in a sauce made from butter, lemon juice, and chicken broth. The resulting dish is tasty and full of flavor, making it a perfect meal for any occasion. But don’t worry if you are new to making French food, because this recipe is easy to follow, and you’ll have your dish ready in no time! So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

Ingredients for Chicken Francese

The following are the essential ingredients you need to prepare the chicken francese:

1. Chicken Breasts
2. All-Purpose Flour
3. Eggs
4. Heavy Cream
5. Chicken Broth
6. White Wine
7. Lemon Juice
8. Olive Oil
9. Unsalted Butter
10. Salt
11. Black Pepper

Preparing the Chicken

Preparing the Chicken for Chicken Francese

1. Wash the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Cut each breast in half lengthwise and pound gently with a meat mallet until they are about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Season both sides of each breast with salt and black pepper.
4. Dredge the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off any excess.

Preparing the Egg Mixture

Preparing the Egg Mixture for Chicken Francese

1. Crack the eggs into a bowl and add heavy cream.
2. Whisk these ingredients together until fully combined.
3. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.

Cooking the Chicken

Cooking the Chicken for Chicken Francese

1. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 3 minutes each side or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
3. Remove the chicken from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
4. In the same pan, melt the unsalted butter.
5. Add chicken broth, white wine, and lemon juice to the pan.
6. Whisk together and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half.

Serving the Chicken

Serving the Chicken for Chicken Francese

1. Plate the chicken breasts and drizzle the sauce on top.
2. Garnish with chopped parsley.
3. You can serve with a side of pasta, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.

Tips

Tips for Preparing the Perfect Chicken Francese

1. Use fresh chicken breast to achieve the best taste.
2. Don’t overcook the chicken breasts, or they will become dry and tough.
3. Use a non-stick pan to prevent the chicken from sticking to the bottom.
4. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Use a splatter guard to prevent oil from splattering onto you or your stove.
6. Don’t overcrowd the pan with too many chicken breasts as this will reduce the heat, and the chicken will be steamed instead of fried.
7. You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable or beef broth if preferred.
8. Heating the sauce may separate it; therefore, serve it drizzled over the chicken breasts immediately.
9. Experiment with different herbs and spices to create different flavors.
10. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious homemade chicken francese!

Ingredients Needed

Before you can start making chicken Francese, you need to gather all your ingredients together in one place. Here is a list of everything you need:

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Lemon wedges for serving

Preparing the Chicken

The first step in making chicken Francese is to prepare the chicken breasts. Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them until they are an even thickness. Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a shallow dish, add the flour and coat each chicken breast evenly. Shake off the excess flour and set aside.

Preparing the Egg Wash

To make the egg wash, beat the eggs in a shallow dish with a pinch of salt, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture making sure to coat the chicken evenly.

Coating the Chicken

Now time to coat the chicken with flour mixture. In a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium-high heat. Take each chicken piece out of the egg mixture and dip into the flour mixture, making sure the chicken is coated evenly on each side. Shake off any excess flour and place in the skillet. Cook the chicken until it turns a golden brown color, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Making the Sauce

Once all of the chicken breasts have been cooked, it’s time to start making the sauce. In the same skillet, remove any excess oil and butter but leave a little bit in the pan to cook the sauce. Add the white wine and chicken broth to the pan and bring to a simmer, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce the sauce until it is slightly thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Finishing Up

Once the sauce has thickened, add the chicken back to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Let the chicken cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle some fresh parsley over the top and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy your delicious homemade chicken Francese, and impress your friends and family with your new culinary skills!

Variations

Chicken Francese is a versatile dish that you can tweak to your liking. You can add garlic or shallots to the sauce for more flavor, or substitute the white wine for red wine. If you don’t like chicken, you can make this recipe with veal cutlets or shrimp. The possibilities are endless, so get creative in the kitchen and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect chicken Francese!

Cooking Tips

If you want a crispier coating on your chicken, use Panko breadcrumbs instead of flour. When you’re pounding the chicken, be careful not to make it too thin or it will cook too quickly and become tough. Make sure the sauce is heated through before adding the chicken back to the skillet; otherwise, you risk overcooking the chicken. Lastly, don’t forget to garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for a burst of bright flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Francese is typically served over pasta or with a side of steamed vegetables. Linguine or spaghetti are great choices for pasta, as they are light and won’t overpower the flavors of the chicken and sauce. Pair the meal with a glass of white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, for an elegant dining experience that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Conclusion

With these simple steps, anyone can create a delicious chicken Francese dish that will tantalize their taste buds. By following this recipe, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal ready in no time. Remember to gather all your ingredients, prepare the chicken, make the sauce, and enjoy the cooking process. The end result will be well worth it. Use the above variations, cooking tips and serving suggestion as a guide to a perfect chicken Francese dish.

Ingredients Needed for Chicken Francese

Making Chicken Francese is quite easy and it doesn’t take too long. Before we get into the directions, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make around four servings of Chicken Francese:

Directions to Make Chicken Francese

Now that we have all the ingredients required to make the dish, it’s time to start cooking. Below are all the steps you need to follow to make Chicken Francese:

Step 1: Pound the Chicken Cutlets Thin

Before seasoning the chicken, it’s important to pound it thin. You can use a meat mallet to do this. Once the chicken is pounded thin, season it with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken in Flour and Egg

In a shallow dish, mix the half-cup of all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt. In another shallow dish, whisk the two eggs together. Dip each piece of seasoned chicken first into the flour mixture, shaking off the excess, and then into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Cutlets in Oil and Butter

Set a large frying pan over medium high heat and add half a cup of oil and butter. Once it’s hot, place the chicken cutlets into the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Prepare the Lemon Sauce

Remove the chicken cutlets from the frying pan and keep them warm. In the same frying pan, add the lemon juice, chicken broth, and white wine. Allow the sauce to come to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes to let it thicken.

Step 5: Serve Your Delicious Chicken Francese

Place the chicken cutlets in a serving dish, then drizzle over the lemon sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve while still hot. You can enjoy your Chicken Francese by itself or serve it with a side like rice or roasted vegetables.

We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the process of making Chicken Francese. With these easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be able to create a restaurant-like experience in your own home. Enjoy your meal!

That’s How You Make Chicken Francese!

Now that you’ve got the recipe for this delicious dish, it’s time to grab your apron and head to the kitchen. I hope this article was helpful and informative for you. If you enjoyed reading this, don’t hesitate to come back for more exciting recipes. Remember, practice makes perfect so don’t be afraid to experiment with your ingredients and make it your own. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!