Chicken Scallopini with Lemon Butter Sauce

Recipe Introduction

Craving a Quick and Easy Italian Feast?

Ever had one of those nights where you just need something comforting and delicious, pronto? Enter: the chicken scallopini recipe chicken scallopini .

This dish is basically sunshine on a plate. Seriously, the bright lemon butter sauce is a total mood booster.

Taste of Italy Made Easy

Chicken scallopini , or scaloppine di pollo al limone if you want to get fancy, is Italian American comfort food at its best.

This easy chicken recipe is beginner friendly and takes about 35 minutes from start to finish. You'll end up with 4 servings, perfect for a family dinner or a small gathering.

Why You'll Love This Chicken Scallopini

Honestly, this italian chicken recipes is a weeknight savior. The lemon butter sauce is incredibly flavorful and makes the pan-fried chicken taste like it came from a restaurant.

Plus, it's relatively healthy, packed with protein, and can easily be made chicken scallopini gluten-free with a simple flour swap.

Quick chicken dinner ideas just got a whole lot tastier!

Unveiling the Magic: Ingredients and Equipment

This chicken cutlets recipe doesn’t require a PhD in culinary arts. You’ll need chicken breasts or cutlets, flour, olive oil, butter, garlic, white wine (or chicken broth), lemon juice, lemon zest, capers (optional), and parsley.

For equipment, a large skillet, plastic wrap, and something to pound the chicken with are essential. A meat mallet or even a rolling pin works a treat.

step-by-step to Chicken Scallopini Perfection

First, prep your chicken. Pound those cutlets thin about ¼ inch. This helps them cook quickly and evenly. Season them well with salt and pepper.

Then, dredge them lightly in flour. This creates a lovely, golden crust when you pan-fried chicken . Now, the magic happens in the skillet! Cook the chicken in batches until golden brown.

Set them aside and keep warm.

The Lemon Butter Sauce: Liquid Gold

The chicken scallopini with lemon butter sauce is where the real magic happens. Sauté garlic in the same skillet, deglaze with wine (or broth), then add broth, lemon juice, zest, and capers.

Reduce the sauce slightly, then whisk in cold butter until it's glossy and delicious. Serve over the chicken with parsley!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

What to serve with chicken scallopini ? Angel hair pasta is a classic. Steamed asparagus or green beans also pair beautifully.

For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour or almond flour. You can even add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

There are endless chicken scallopini variations !

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to make this chicken scallopini recipe chicken scallopini sing! Honestly, this recipe is all about fresh ingredients and a few key techniques.

Don't worry; it’s way easier than it sounds.

Getting Your Arsenal Ready: Ingredients & Equipment

Before we even think about turning on the stove, let’s make sure we’ve got all our bits and bobs ready.

Think of it like prepping your battlefield before going to war but with significantly tastier results. And remember, this easy chicken recipe is all about simplicity.

The Main Players

Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients. Trust me, quality makes a huge difference here.

• Chicken: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz/170g each). Opt for chicken that looks plump and pink, not pale or gray. Fresh is always best, obviously. These will become your chicken cutlets recipe .
• Flour: ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour. This is for dredging. Any brand will do, nothing fancy needed. For a chicken scallopini gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose blend!
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Extra virgin is the way to go, adds a touch of fruity goodness.
• Butter: 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, divided. Use good quality butter; it makes a big difference in the sauce.
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is a must; don't even think about using the jarred stuff.
• White Wine: ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio is fab). Don't worry if you don't have wine; chicken broth works just fine as a substitute.
• Chicken Broth: ¾ cup (180ml) low sodium. This forms the base of our yummy sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons/45ml ). Freshly squeezed, always! The acidity really cuts through the richness.
• Lemon Zest: Zest of 1 lemon. Adds a fragrant punch.
• Capers: 2 tablespoons (30ml) , drained (optional). Some people love them, some hate them. They add a briny pop!
• Parsley: 1 tablespoon , chopped fresh. For garnish; makes everything look fancier.
• Seasoning: Salt and pepper, to taste. Don't be shy!

Seasoning is Key

The secret to a stellar lemon butter sauce is getting the seasoning right. We want that perfect balance of tangy, savory, and rich.

• Essential Spice Combinations: Salt, pepper, and garlic are your trinity. Don’t skimp on the pepper!
• Flavor Enhancers and Aromatics: The lemon zest and capers (if using) are the flavor bombs.
• Quick Substitution Options: If you don’t have capers, a tiny splash of white wine vinegar can add some tang.

Essential Gear

Okay, so you don’t need a whole kitchen's worth of fancy gadgets to make this dish. Here’s what’s absolutely essential:

• Large Skillet: A 12 -inch skillet is perfect. This is where the magic happens for this pan-fried chicken .
• Plastic Wrap: This is for protecting your surfaces when pounding the chicken.
• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: For pounding the chicken to that perfect ¼-inch thickness. If you don’t have a mallet, a rolling pin works in a pinch!
• Shallow Dishes: For dredging the chicken in flour.

And that's it! Now you are ready to tackle this italian chicken recipes ! You'll have quick chicken dinner ideas that you can whip up in no time! And hey, maybe even create your own chicken scallopini variations .

Enjoy! And don't forget to think about what to serve with chicken scallopini !

Cooking Method: pan-fried Perfection for Chicken Scallopini

Let's talk pan-fried chicken ! Specifically, how to nail it for our chicken scallopini recipe chicken scallopini . Honestly, pan-frying is my go-to when I want something quick but delicious.

Forget slaving over a complicated dish. We're keeping it simple.

Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks (and Chicken) in a Row

Before you even think about turning on the hob, get organized. It's the essential mise en place . First, slice and pound those chicken breasts.

Aim for about ¼-inch thickness. Place each cutlet between two sheets of plastic wrap. I use a rolling pin. A meat mallet also works.

Why? It's quicker and makes the chicken more tender! Season both sides with salt and pepper. Now, get your flour ready in a shallow dish.

Everything within reach saves you time and stress later.

step-by-step: Sizzle and Serve

1. Dredge lightly: Coat the chicken in flour. Shake off the excess. Don't overdo it!
2. Heat it up: Add olive oil and butter ( 2 tablespoons each) to a large skillet. Use medium high heat. You want it hot, but not smoking.
3. Cook in batches: Add the chicken. Don't overcrowd the pan! That's a classic mistake. Cook each side for 2- 3 minutes . The goal is golden brown.
4. Check the temp: Make sure the internal temp is 165° F/ 74° C . A meat thermometer is your best friend.
5. Keep it warm: Transfer cooked chicken to a plate. Tent with foil.
6. Make a quick lemon butter sauce: Add garlic to the skillet. Add broth, lemon juice, and zest. Reduce for 3- 5 minutes .
7. Add richness: Remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in cold butter cubes.
8. Serve immediately: Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the chicken. Garnish with parsley.

Pro Tips: Elevate Your Scallopini

Want Italian chicken recipes that stand out? Adding cold butter at the end of cooking is a game changer for making chicken scallopini with lemon butter sauce .

It emulsifies the sauce, making it silky smooth. Fresh lemon juice is a MUST. The bottled stuff just doesn't compare.

A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens up the whole dish. My nonna always said: “The best meals use the freshest ingredients”.

For an extra burst of flavor, try adding capers. You can also serve with angel hair pasta. This recipe is super versatile.

Chicken scallopini variations are endless.

Recipe Notes: Making Your Chicken Scallopini Shine

Alright, so you're about to make some seriously good chicken scallopini chicken scallopini . But, before you dive in, let's chat about a few things.

These are the little secrets that can take your dish from "meh" to "OMG, this is amazing!" Honestly, these are things I wish I'd known when I first started making chicken scallopini with lemon butter sauce .

Serving Suggestions: Level Up Your Plate

Presentation is key, right? I love plating my chicken scallopini over a bed of angel hair pasta. It's light, absorbs all that delicious lemon butter sauce , and just looks gorgeous.

A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a lemon wedge complete the look.

What to serve with chicken scallopini? For sides, think simple. Steamed asparagus or green beans are always a win. They add a pop of color and freshness.

A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc makes a perfect beverage pairing. Seriously, try it.

Storage Tips: Make It Last (If It Does!)

If you happen to have leftovers and let's be real, that's a big "if" store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

They'll be good for up to 3 days. Honestly, they never last that long in my house.

Freezing isn't the best idea for this easy chicken recipe , as the sauce can separate and the chicken can get a bit rubbery.

But, if you must, freeze it in a freezer safe container. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in a skillet over low heat.

Add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist.

Reheating is simple. Gently warm it in a pan over medium heat. Make sure you don't overcook it. A microwave works too, but the pan-fried chicken will be better reheated in a skillet.

Variations: Keep It Interesting

Want to mix things up? You can make chicken scallopini variations to fit your diet or pantry.

For a chicken scallopini gluten-free version, use gluten-free all-purpose flour for dredging. Almond flour also works well and adds a nice nutty flavour.

Feeling adventurous? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon butter sauce for a bit of heat. Or try different herbs like thyme or rosemary for an herbaceous twist.

Italian chicken recipes are super versatile.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Each serving is about 350-400 calories. Plus, it has around 40g of protein, 15-20g of fat, and 10-15g of carbs.

This quick chicken dinner idea is packed with protein. Protein helps you feel full and satisfied. You get a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals from the lemon and herbs.

Making this chicken cutlets recipe is not only easy, but so yummy!. Don't be afraid to get creative and make it your own.

Now go forth and conquer that chicken scallopini ! It's easier than you think, and the reward is a plateful of deliciousness.

You got this!