Ina Garten Chicken Francese Recipe

Ina Garten’s Chicken Francese Recipe from the Barefoot Contessa cookbook is truly the best and the most simple Chicken Francese recipe ever. This easy Chicken Francese is made with boneless chicken breasts, flour, eggs, and seasonings, combined with the thick Francese sauce which is made of lemon slices, dry white wine, chicken broth, and unsalted butter, and then simmered to perfection.

Serve this classic Chicken Francese with linguine pasta or a side of garlic mashed potatoes.

What Is Chicken Francese 

Chicken Francese, pronounced “fran-CHAY-zay,” is a traditional Italian-American dish made with boneless chicken breasts that are coated in flour and egg, then fried to a golden brown. It’s combined with a thick sauce made of lemon juice, white wine, and chicken broth. 

Chicken Francese is traditionally served with cooked pasta such as linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti.

What Is The Difference Between Chicken Francese And Chicken Francaise 

The main difference between Chicken Francese and Chicken Francaise is the name and its origin. 

“Francese” means “in the French manner” in Italian, suggesting it’s an Italian dish made in a French style. On the other hand, “Francaise” is the French word for “French.” However, in culinary terms, both refer to the same dish, which is the chicken dipped in flour and egg, then fried and served with a lemon-butter sauce. 

The confusion often arises because of the similarity in names and preparation methods, but they are essentially the same dish.

Chicken Francese Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• All-purpose flour (for dredging)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 lemon, with rind, cut in thin rounds
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

How To Make Chicken Francese

1. Place chicken breasts on a board, cover them with plastic, and use a mallet to flatten them to about 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Mix flour, salt, and pepper in one dish. In another dish, blend the eggs with 3 tablespoons of water.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. First, dip the chicken in the flour mixture, then into the egg blend. Fry in the skillet for 2 minutes on each side until golden. Remove and set aside.
4. Add lemon slices to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the wine, broth, and lemon juice, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Combine a small amount of flour with butter and stir it into the skillet to enrich the sauce’s texture.
6. Reduce the heat, place the chicken back in the skillet, and arrange lemon slices on top. Allow it to simmer for 2 minutes. Add a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and garnish with parsley before serving.

What To Serve With Chicken Francese 

Serve Chicken Francese with garlic mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, or a light Caesar salad. Chicken Francese also goes well with Pumpkin Soup, Corn Casserole or Grilled Aubergine.

Can You Make Chicken Francese Ahead Of Time 

Yes, you can make Chicken Francese a day in advance. Here’s how to prepare Chicken Francese ahead:

1. Follow the recipe to cook the chicken but don’t add the final sauce.
2. Store the chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers.
3. Refrigerate both the chicken and the sauce.
4. When ready to serve, reheat the chicken in a skillet and then add the sauce.
5. Simmer together for a few minutes until heated through.

How Long Does Cooked Chicken Francese Last

Cooked Chicken Francese can last in the fridge for about 3-4 days. To store it correctly, let it cool to room temperature, place it in an airtight container, and then place it in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Chicken Francese 

Yes, Cooked Chicken Francese can be frozen for about 2-3 months. To freeze it correctly, let it cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, and then place it in the freezer. 

To thaw frozen Chicken Francese, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight.

How To Reheat Chicken Francese 

To reheat Chicken Francese, simply place it in a skillet over medium heat, add a bit of chicken broth or water to keep it moist, and reheat for about 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

Chicken Francese Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings

• Calories: 1074
• Total Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Protein: 149 g
• Cholesterol: 658 mg
• Sodium: 1913 mg

Try More Recipes:

• Chicken Chili
• Chicken And Rice Casserole
• Chicken Divan
• Lemon Chicken Piccata
• Chicken Cacciatore
• Chicken Curry Recipe
• Chicken Marsala
• Chicken Tetrazzini