The Best Easy Lemon Chicken Scallopini (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Craving tender, juicy chicken? Our 20-minute Lemon Chicken Scallopini recipe uses just chicken & lemon for an incredible meal. Secrets for a perfect sauce included!
Incredibly Tender Lemon Chicken Scallopini
We all love chicken, especially chicken breast. It's so versatile and goes with everything. This recipe combines the zesty kick of lemon with the natural sweetness of the chicken to create a truly amazing flavour explosion, and it's ready in just 20 minutes!
Just Two Simple Ingredients: Chicken and Lemon
Chicken breast is the star here because it's affordable and easy to cook. For two servings, I usually use two breasts. The key is to slice them horizontally to create thin cutlets. If you want to take it to the next level, use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness. This guarantees they cook evenly and stay tender.
The Simple Seasoning That Makes a Difference
Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Trust me, freshly ground pepper makes a world of difference compared to the pre-ground kind. Give the chicken a good massage to make sure the seasoning sticks.
Flour is the Secret for a Perfect Sauce!
Dredging the chicken in flour isn't just for creating a beautiful golden crust; it's the secret trick to making a spectacular, non-watery sauce that coats the chicken perfectly. Press the cutlets into the flour on both sides, making sure they're well coated, then shake off any excess.
Oil or Butter? Why Not Both!
Yes, it might sound indulgent, but it works! Cooking the chicken in a mix of both fats gives you the best of both worlds: a gorgeous, crispy sear from the oil and incredible flavour from the butter. It also helps to create a richer sauce later.
I add a knob of butter and a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to a hot pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted and starts to sizzle, I add the chicken cutlets.
Chicken breast cooks quickly. You only need about 3-4 minutes per side. Once they're beautifully golden brown, they're ready for the final, most important step.
The Secret to a Perfect Pan Sauce Every Time
This is the magic moment! Pour in your liquid – water, white wine, or broth all work. The key is to do this when the pan is still very hot. Deglazing the pan loosens all the delicious browned bits (the "fond") from the bottom, mixing them with the butter, oil, and chicken juices to create an instant, flavour-packed sauce.
Let it bubble for about 2 minutes after adding a splash of water (about half a cup is plenty), then add the juice of half a lemon. A little goes a long way, as the flavour is strong and bright!
Now is the time to add some freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of lemon zest. It adds a burst of freshness and colour that makes the dish look and taste absolutely restaurant-quality! Serve immediately and enjoy your incredible, easy Lemon Chicken!
The Best Easy Lemon Chicken Scallopini (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Craving tender, juicy chicken? Our 20-minute Lemon Chicken Scallopini recipe uses just chicken & lemon for an incredible meal. Secrets for a perfect sauce included!
Ingredients
* 2 chicken breasts (about 300-400g total)
* Salt and black pepper, to taste
* 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tbsp butter
* ½ cup water (or white wine / chicken broth)
* Juice of half a lemon
* Fresh parsley or lemon zest, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make thin cutlets. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Coat each cutlet in flour, shaking off the excess.
3. Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
4. Pour water into the hot pan. Scrape the bottom to loosen the browned bits. Let it reduce for 1-2 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat. Stir in the lemon juice.
6. Return chicken to the pan and coat with the sauce. Garnish and serve.
