Chicken Scallopini is an Italian-American meal that has thinly sliced chicken breasts in a tasty lemon-butter sauce. This recipe is great for a quick and easy weeknight dinner because it only takes 30 minutes to make! Great for dinner with the family!

What is Chicken Scallopini?

This Italian American dish called Chicken Scallopini is very good. The chicken breasts are cut into thin slices and cooked in a lemon butter sauce that is both tangy and very tasty.

“Scallopini” means thinly sliced meat. Traditionally, veal was used, but chicken is now the most popular choice. The chicken is breaded, which makes it a little crunchy, and then it’s tossed with a tasty lemon butter sauce that is a little sour and savory. It tastes so good.

This dish is very easy to make, but it tastes great. It goes well with pasta or vegetables that have been sautéed.

Main Ingredients and Alternatives for Chicken Scallopini

• ◯ Chicken Breasts
• ◯ Flour
• ◯ Salt
• ◯ Pepper
• ◯ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ◯ 4 tablespoons butter
• ◯ Minced garlic
• ◯ ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
• ◯ 1 cup chicken broth
• ◯ Juice of 1 lemon
• ◯ 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
• ◯ Fresh parsley

Ingredient Details:

Chicken Breasts: For this recipe, thinly sliced chicken breasts work best. You can also use chicken cutlets or pound regular chicken breasts until they are thin. For another excellent chicken dish, try our easy crispy air fryer fried chicken.

Flour: A light dusting of flour on the chicken helps it get a nice golden crust.

Lemon: Fresh lemon juice gives the sauce its signature tang. I wouldn’t recommend using bottled lemon juice for the best flavor.

Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the salt level in the sauce. For this recipe i do not recommend substituting the butter, if you are looking to achieve the most authentic taste.

Olive Oil: This helps the chicken get a crispy golden exterior while cooking.

Garlic: A touch of garlic adds depth to the sauce.

Chicken Broth: Adds richness and helps create the sauce. You can substitute with vegetable broth or even with beef broth if you prefer.

White Wine: It’s optional but adds a nice touch of flavor to the sauce. You can also use more chicken broth if you like.

Capers: These are optional, but they add a nice briny flavor to the sauce.

Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness at the end.

Tools You’ll Need

• Large Skillet: For sautéing the chicken and making the sauce.
• Tongs: To easily flip the chicken.
• Whisk: For stirring the sauce and making sure it’s smooth.
• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: To pound the chicken breasts thin if needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Scallopini

1. Pound the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness, about ¼ inch thick.
2. Season and flour the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Put a little flour on each piece and shake off any extra.

3. Get the skillet hot: Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
4. Sauté the chicken: Put the chicken in the skillet and cook it for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until it is golden brown and done. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
5. Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add 1 more tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
6. Deglaze the pan: Pour in ½ cup of white wine (or chicken broth) and use a whisk to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
7. Add the broth and lemon: Stir in 1 cup of chicken broth and the juice of 1 lemon. This bright lemon sauce is similar to the delicious garlic lemon parsley glaze we use on salmon. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly reduced.
8. Finish the sauce: Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and, if using, add 1 tablespoon of capers. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Return the chicken to the skillet: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 1-2 minutes to soak up the flavors.
10. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving. Serve the Chicken Scallopini with delicious homemade spaghetti marinara, rice, or vegetables.

Expert Tips for Perfect Chicken Scallopini

• Pound the Chicken Evenly: For quick and even cooking, make sure to pound the chicken to an even thickness.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure it browns evenly and doesn’t steam.
• Deglaze for Flavor: Don’t skip the step of deglazing the pan with wine or broth. This adds depth to the sauce by incorporating all the flavorful bits from the chicken.
• Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a huge difference in the brightness of the sauce.
• Capers for Extra Flavor: If you love a briny, salty bite, don’t skip the capers—they add a wonderful dimension to the sauce.
• Keep the Sauce Silky: Adding a bit of cold butter at the end helps to emulsify the sauce and keep it silky smooth.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Scallopini is perfect with any side dish, so feel free to choose what you like. I love it served with pasta, polenta, mashed crispy air fryer potatoes, or even a simple green salad. You can also serve it with just bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

For an Italian-inspired meal, pair the dish with a light, crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio.