Description
Chicken Scallopini is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, thinly pounded chicken breasts dredged in seasoned flour and sautéed to a golden perfection. The chicken is simmered in a bright and flavorful sauce made from dry white wine, chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers, then garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices. This dish offers a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and buttery flavors, making it an elegant yet easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sauce
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup capers
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Optional lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to about 1/4-inch thickness to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
- Dredge the chicken: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour with salt and black pepper. Coat each chicken breast evenly in the seasoned flour and shake off any excess.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- Deglaze the pan: Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spoon to release the browned bits for extra flavor. Allow the wine to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Make the sauce: Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers to the skillet. Cook the sauce for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Combine and finish cooking: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them. Simmer everything together for 2 more minutes so the flavors meld and the chicken stays moist.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley and garnish with optional lemon slices before serving. Enjoy with pasta, mashed potatoes, or sautéed vegetables.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of heavy cream or a pat of butter at the end of the sauce cooking.
- You can serve this dish with pasta, mashed potatoes, or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- If you prefer not to cook with wine, substitute the white wine with additional chicken broth.
