Craving a taste of Italy tonight? Indulge in our delicious Chicken Francese, a delightful blend of tender chicken, tangy lemon, and aromatic herbs.

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Savoring Elegance: The Art of Making Chicken Francese

Exploring the Roots of Chicken Francese

Chicken Francese, a jewel in the crown of Italian-American cuisine, emerged from a fascinating blend of cultures. It initially stirred some confusion, seemingly hinting at French culinary methods with its name. Yet, over time, this dish proudly established its standings in the realm of authentic Italian cuisine. Masterfully combining olive oil, lemon butter sauce, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, it has journeyed through years of culinary evolution. Today, Chicken Francese stands as a testament to tradition and creativity, savored in homes and restaurants alike.

Mastering Chicken Francese

Making Chicken Francese begins with a simple step: coat the chicken in a mix of flour, salt, and pepper. This is crucial for that impeccable crunch. Next, a dip in a concoction of eggs, lemon juice, and parmesan ensures the flavors meld beautifully. The magic happens in a skillet with olive oil and butter, where the chicken turns golden. The finale involves a velvety lemon butter sauce, enriched with garlic and lemon zest, gracefully poured over the chicken and finished in the oven. Each stage builds on the last, leading to a dish that embodies authentic Italian cuisine with every bite.

Ingredients and Their Magic

The secret to achieving the authentic taste of Chicken Francese lies in its core components.

• Lemon brings a bright burst of acidity, perfectly cutting through the richness of the sauce.
• Parmesan cheese, generously grated, deepens the flavor profile, ensuring a savory elegance.
• Parsley, with its vibrant green hue, adds not just color but a fresh finish to each bite.

A harmonious blend, these ingredients embody the essence of traditional Italian cooking.

Exploring the Craftsmanship Behind Chicken Francese

Diving into Chicken Francese requires finesse with sautéing, a knack for dredging, and a comfort with finishing dishes in the oven. These steps, crucial for crafting this lemony delight, push you to blend traditional cooking with homemade sauce creation. By mastering these, not only does the Chicken Francese burst with flavors of olive oil, parmesan, and lemon butter sauce, but your kitchen skills expand, readying you for more exquisite dinner recipes.

A Simple Joy: Chicken Francese in Your Kitchen

Mastering Chicken Francese invites a blend of tradition and elegance to your meals. It’s not just food; it’s a celebration of life’s simpler yet profound joys. This dish, perfected with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and hints of parsley in a zesty lemon butter sauce, showcases your cooking skills. Chicken Francese, authentic in its simplicity, is perfect for both special occasions and everyday dining. Embrace this exquisite dish and bring a taste of authentic Italian cuisine to your table, feeling both excited and confident to try it yourself.

Chicken Francese

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• Author: EsmeSalon
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings depending on size 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Easy
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

Chicken Francese has been winning hearts for centuries. It started as an Italian dish, but once it made its way to America, it became a favorite for family dinners. People love its golden crust and tangy lemon butter sauce, it’s like sunshine on a plate! Pair it with air fryer zucchini chips for a crispy, healthier side that’s easy to make and packed with flavor. Not only is this meal delicious, but it’s also a fun way to cook something fancy without the fuss.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half horizontally to make 8 thin pieces)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tbsp salted butter

For the Sauce:

• 3 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 2 lemons)
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

• 4 large zucchinis or 8 mini zucchinis, rinsed with ends removed
• 1 medium egg
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp seasoning (a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper—about 1/8 tsp of each)
• Cooking spray or oil spray

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Instructions

For the Chicken:

1. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, salt, and pepper.
2. In a second shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, ¼ cup lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese.
3. Dip each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then coat it in the egg mixture.
4. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
6. Transfer the cooked chicken to an oven-safe dish and set aside.

For the Sauce:

1. In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic and lemon slices.
2. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the garlic is golden, and the lemon slices are lightly browned.
3. Stir in the chicken stock, ½ cup lemon juice, lemon zest, heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons of flour.
4. Mix well to avoid lumps.
5. Simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the oven-safe dish.
7. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
8. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!

For the Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

1. Rinse the zucchinis and pat them dry.
2. For large zucchinis, cut them in half lengthwise, then slice each half into quarters to create fry-sized pieces.
3. For mini zucchinis, simply cut them into quarter-inch slices.
4. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water until frothy.
5. In another shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
6. Take a handful of zucchini slices and toss them in the egg mixture until fully coated.
7. Transfer the slices to the breadcrumb mixture, a few at a time, and coat them evenly.
8. Place the coated zucchini pieces onto the air fryer tray, leaving space between each one. Repeat until all the zucchini is coated.
9. Arrange the zucchini slices in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren’t overcrowded.
10. Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil.
11. Set the air fryer to 200°C (about 400°F) and cook for 7–10 minutes.

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Equipment

Air Fryer

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Nonstick Deep Frying Pan Skillet

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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

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Notes

Created, prepared, tried, and tested by Melanie from SA Tasty Recipes – Saffas Daily Recipes

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 1095
• Sugar: 6.9 g
• Sodium: 1916.7 mg
• Fat: 65.7 g
• Saturated Fat: 28.7 g
• Trans Fat: 1.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43.8 g
• Fiber: 2.9 g
• Protein: 82.4 g
• Cholesterol: 531.1 mg

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