Description
Lemon Butter Chicken Scallopini is a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken cutlets cooked in a rich lemon butter sauce with a hint of garlic and white wine. This easy skillet recipe delivers a perfect balance of tangy and buttery flavors, garnished with fresh parsley and optional parmesan cheese for a delicious family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Flour (for dredging)
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 3/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thinner cutlets. Place the chicken pieces between two pieces of plastic wrap, spacing them apart, and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet until they are about 1/2 inch thick.
- Season and dredge: Season both sides of each chicken piece with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then coat each piece evenly with flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Once hot, cook the chicken in two batches, about 4 minutes on the first side and 2-3 minutes on the second side, until cooked through. Add an additional tablespoon of butter when cooking the second batch to keep the pan hot. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice. Let the mixture bubble and reduce by half, then turn off the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine and serve: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the lemon butter sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and, if desired, freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic option, substitute white wine with chicken broth as mentioned.
- Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure even thickness for even cooking.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory touch.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
