Chicken Scallopini Recipe
Chicken Scallopini is truly one of those magical dishes: tender, golden-browned chicken bathed in a bright, pan-swirled sauce of white wine, lemon, and capers. It’s elegant enough for company yet effortlessly doable on a weeknight. Every bite is proof that the simplest ingredients can create big flavor, and if you love a zesty, comforting meal with a little Italian flair, this classic will absolutely steal your heart!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of kitchen staples, you’ll be amazed at how each of these ingredients transforms Chicken Scallopini into something memorable. Their balance of savoriness, brightness, and that subtle briny pop is what makes this dish so special.
- Chicken breasts: Pounding them thin ensures every bite stays juicy and tender, plus they cook super quickly.
- All-purpose flour: This light coating helps the chicken develop the perfect golden crust once it hits the skillet.
- Salt and black pepper: Seasoning is key, giving the chicken a foundational burst of flavor.
- Olive oil: Adds a rich, slightly fruity undertone, perfect for achieving a beautiful sear.
- Unsalted butter: Brings its signature velvety richness and melds with the olive oil for extra depth.
- Dry white wine: A splash helps lift all those caramelized pan bits and infuses a subtle acidity into the sauce—just lovely.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the sauce light but flavorful, serving as the base that brings all the elements together.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed gives the finished dish that signature bright and tangy kick.
- Capers: These briny gems provide a delightful salty contrast that balances out the richness of the chicken and butter.
- Fresh parsley: Sprinkled on top, it adds color and a garden-fresh note.
- Lemon slices (optional): For an extra pop of color and a little citrus aroma at the table.
How to Make Chicken Scallopini
Step 1: Prep and Pound the Chicken
Start by laying your chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet (a heavy rolling pin works too), pound each piece until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. This ensures lightning-fast cooking and keeps the chicken beautifully tender, just like at your favorite trattoria.
Step 2: Dredge in Flour
In a shallow dish, combine your flour with a good sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Press each chicken breast into the seasoned flour, coating both sides well, and shake off any excess. This flour layer is what gives Chicken Scallopini that irresistible crispy crust once pan-fried.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high until the butter melts and everything is shimmering. Lay in the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, flipping once, until beautifully golden and just cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm—you’ll return it to the pan soon!
Step 4: Deglaze and Build the Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the dry white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of your skillet. Let this bubble for 2 to 3 minutes to cook off the alcohol and concentrate the flavor.
Step 5: Add Broth, Lemon, and Capers
Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Let the sauce simmer and reduce for another 3 to 4 minutes, thickening slightly and melding into a gorgeous, glossy finish that smells absolutely incredible.
Step 6: Return Chicken & Finish the Dish
Nestle the chicken breasts back into the pan and spoon the sauce over each one. Let everything heat together for another 2 minutes so the flavors can fully settle into the chicken. Turn off the heat and shower with freshly chopped parsley and a few lemon slices if you like.
How to Serve Chicken Scallopini
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley is classic, offering a burst of color and an herbal pop. Finish with thin lemon slices or a light twist of lemon zest for an extra-fragrant presentation—these little touches make Chicken Scallopini feel festive and restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
This zippy, saucy chicken practically begs for a bed of buttered pasta, fluffy mashed potatoes, or even sautéed seasonal vegetables. The sauce really shines when it has something wonderful to soak into, making every side a little more special.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy family meal, serve the chicken straight from the pan at the table, rustic-style. Hosting friends? Fan out the sliced Chicken Scallopini on a platter, drizzle with warm sauce, and scatter plenty of capers and parsley for a vibrant, inviting look. Want to go lighter? Pile atop baby arugula for a bright, lemony salad entrée.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your Chicken Scallopini cool to room temperature, then tuck it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to three days—a serious bonus for easy lunches or quick dinners later in the week.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer with sauce in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to two months. For best quality, let the chicken thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, set the chicken and sauce in a covered skillet and gently warm over medium-low, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. Microwave reheating works in a pinch—just cover and use low power so the chicken stays tender.
FAQs
Can I make Chicken Scallopini without wine?
Definitely! Simply substitute the white wine with an equal amount of extra chicken broth. You’ll still end up with a bright, balanced sauce that everyone can enjoy.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect because they’re easy to pound thin and cook quickly. You can also use boneless thighs if you prefer dark meat—the method stays the same.
How do you keep Chicken Scallopini from drying out?
The key is pounding the chicken to an even thinness so it cooks uniformly and quickly. Also, avoid overcooking—just a few minutes per side is all you need for juicy results.
Is Chicken Scallopini gluten-free?
As written, this recipe does contain flour. To make it gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend or even cornstarch.
Can I add vegetables to the skillet?
Absolutely! Mushrooms, spinach, or even artichoke hearts work beautifully. Add them after removing the chicken and before deglazing with the wine, so they soak up all that flavor.
Final Thoughts
Chicken Scallopini is one of those dishes that’s as fun to cook as it is to eat, and it always feels a little bit like bringing a taste of Italy into your kitchen. Try it once, and you’ll find yourself coming back to its vibrant flavors and beautiful simplicity again and again!
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Chicken Scallopini Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A classic Italian-American dish, Chicken Scallopini features tender, thinly pounded chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful lemon, caper, and white wine sauce. This simple yet elegant dish is perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken Scallopini:
- 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
Lemon Caper 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
- Pound the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Dredge the chicken: Mix flour with salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Make the sauce: Add white wine to the skillet, then chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Combine and garnish: Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over it, simmer briefly, and garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
Notes
- For extra richness, add a tablespoon of heavy cream or butter at the end.
- Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or sautéed vegetables.
- To omit wine, use additional chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
