Chicken Scallopini is a delicious Italian-American dish made with thinly sliced chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful lemon-butter sauce. This dish is quick to prepare, with a crispy golden exterior and a juicy interior, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. The addition of garlic, lemon, and capers adds a savory and tangy element that pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or vegetables.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin slices

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 tablespoons butter (divided)

• For the Sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth)

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 1 tablespoon capers (optional)

  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about ¼ inch thick. Season with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece lightly in flour.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with white wine (or chicken broth), scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let the wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes.

4. Add Broth and Lemon: Stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, reducing slightly.

5. Finish the Sauce: Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and add the capers (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Assemble the Dish: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over it. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to soak in the flavors.

7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.

Nutrients

• Calories: 320 kcal

• Sodium: 550mg

• Fat: 18g

• Saturated Fat: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 9g

• Protein: 30g

• Cholesterol: 120mg

Why Chicken Scallopini Is So Irresistible

Chicken Scallopini is beloved for its balance of flavors and textures. The chicken is pounded to an even thickness and lightly dredged in flour, which ensures a golden, crispy exterior when cooked. The lemon-butter sauce is the star of the dish—its zesty brightness from lemon juice, richness from butter, and savory depth from garlic and capers create an irresistible combination. The capers add a delightful briny pop that contrasts perfectly with the buttery sauce and the tender chicken. It’s a dish that’s simple but full of flavor, making it a go-to recipe for busy nights when you want a dish that tastes impressive but doesn’t take long to prepare.

Preparing the Chicken: Perfectly Thin and Tender

The key to great Chicken Scallopini is the chicken’s thinness. Start by cutting the chicken breasts into thin slices, or alternatively, you can pound the chicken breasts to about ¼ inch thickness. This ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly, retaining its juiciness while developing a crispy golden exterior. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then lightly dredge it in flour. This creates a delicate crust that crisps up perfectly when sautéed.

By lightly flouring the chicken, you create a subtle crust that enhances the flavor and texture without overpowering the natural taste of the chicken. The flour also helps to thicken the sauce slightly, giving it a silky smooth consistency.

Cooking the Chicken: Achieving a Perfect Golden Brown

For the perfect golden crust, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The olive oil adds flavor, while the butter provides richness and a beautiful golden color. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken slices, so be sure to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. This will allow you to prepare the sauce while ensuring that the chicken stays warm.

Making the Sauce: A Savory Lemon-Butter Blend

In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, you’ll make the flavorful sauce. Start by adding the remaining tablespoon of butter and sautéing minced garlic for about 30 seconds, just until it becomes fragrant. This step infuses the butter with garlic flavor, which will act as the base of the sauce.

Next, deglaze the pan with white wine (or chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic option). Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, as they contain concentrated flavors from the chicken that will deepen the sauce’s taste. Let the wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes, which intensifies its flavor.

Once the wine has reduced, stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice. This combination adds the necessary acidity and richness to balance the sauce. Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and become more concentrated.

Finishing the Sauce: A Velvety Touch

To finish the sauce, stir in two tablespoons of butter, which will add a silky richness. If you’re using capers, now is the time to stir them in. Capers provide a briny, slightly tangy burst that enhances the flavor of the sauce and complements the buttery lemon base. Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

The sauce should be smooth, tangy, and savory with just the right amount of richness from the butter. It’s the perfect complement to the chicken, elevating it with layers of flavor.

Assembling the Dish: Letting the Chicken Soak in the Sauce

Once the sauce is ready, return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer for 1-2 minutes in the sauce so it can absorb the flavors, ensuring every bite is packed with the savory lemon-butter goodness.

This step helps the chicken soak up the sauce while staying juicy and tender. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it simmers, creating a rich coating that pairs wonderfully with your chosen side dish.

Serving Chicken Scallopini: A Perfect Meal for Any Occasion

Chicken Scallopini is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a wide range of sides. Its rich and tangy sauce makes it an ideal accompaniment to pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair, which will absorb the flavorful sauce. You can also serve it with rice—whether it’s white, brown, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. For a lighter meal, pair it with steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans, which will add freshness and balance the richness of the dish.

For a more indulgent option, serve it with mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes, which will soak up the lemon-butter sauce and add extra comfort to the meal.

Nutritional Information for Chicken Scallopini

Each serving of Chicken Scallopini contains approximately 320 calories, making it a moderate-calorie option for a satisfying dinner. The dish offers 30 grams of protein per serving, thanks to the chicken, which makes it a great choice for a protein-rich meal. With 18 grams of fat, including 8 grams of saturated fat, this dish provides a good balance of healthy fats while still being relatively light compared to many other creamy dishes.

There are also 9 grams of carbohydrates per serving, making it suitable for those following low-carb or keto diets, especially when paired with vegetables instead of starchy sides. The sodium content is around 550mg per serving, so it’s a good idea to taste the sauce before adding extra salt, especially if you’re watching your sodium intake.

Conclusion: A Quick and Flavorful Italian Classic

Chicken Scallopini is the perfect Italian-American dish for anyone looking to enjoy a flavorful, satisfying meal with minimal effort. The combination of crispy chicken, tangy lemon-butter sauce, and savory garlic and capers creates a well-rounded, delicious dish that can easily be made on a weeknight or for a special occasion. Whether served with pasta, rice, or vegetables, this dish is sure to impress with its rich flavors and comforting textures. Try Chicken Scallopini today for a quick, easy, and tasty dinner that’s full of flavor and elegance!