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Chicken scallopini in a large skillet with golden crust and lemon-butter sauce with capers and fresh parsley

The Best Chicken Scallopini

Tender thinly pounded chicken breasts in a bright tangy lemon-butter sauce with garlic and capers. Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for weeknights or dinner parties.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced and pounded thin to about 1/4 inch
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup dry white wine or chicken broth for deglazing
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 lemon freshly squeezed juice only
  • 1 tbsp capers optional
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Tongs
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/4 inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour and shake off excess.
  2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add 1 tbsp butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in white wine and scrape up all the browned bits. Let reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes until slightly reduced. Whisk in remaining 2 tbsp cold butter until sauce is silky. Add capers if using and season to taste.
  5. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over each piece. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Always use fresh lemon juice for the brightest sauce flavor. Add cold butter off high heat to keep the sauce from breaking. Pound chicken to an even thickness for consistent quick cooking. Chicken thighs work as a substitute but need 2 to 3 extra minutes per side.