Chicken Scallopini

Discover how to make chicken scallopini in no time with this easy and delicious recipe. This gourmet chicken recipe is so tasty, yet so simple! Here are all the tips and step by step for making a flavorful Chicken Scallopini that you’ll make endlessly!

I love chicken dinners, and more so on busy weeknights as they’re a breeze to prepare! Chicken Scallopini is one of those chicken breast recipes that feels super fancy, yet it’s super EASY!

Bursting with a lemon caper sauce, it’s both tasty and refreshing. Similar to my ever so popular on Google and Pinterest Veal Scallopini–this recipe is a MUST make! 

Not only is this Italian-style meal both savory and satisfying, but it’s ridiculously simple to make. And don’t worry if you’re not a chef! All you need is a few ingredients, some basic cooking supplies, and about half an hour of your time to whip up this restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen!

A few more can’t miss chicken breast recipes which you will be making on REPEAT — Chicken Caprese.(Juicy with the flavors of a Caprese Salad ). Air Fryer Chicken Breast for one of those days! Chicken Gnocchi Soup made with leftover rotisserie chicken to warm up your heart 🙂 Grilled Chicken Parmesan –A cooking school favorite that went viral on Pinterest! And today I’m sharing  an amazing new recipe that will our socks off – Chicken Scallopini!

So, without any more mouth-watering talk, here’s an easy and fail-proof chicken scallopini recipe.

What is Chicken Scallopini?

Chicken scallopini is an American-Italian dish with flavors reminiscent of a classic marsala. It consists of thin slices of chicken cutlets cooked with herbs and a buttery sauce.

The chicken breast is butterflied so thin that it cooks quickly, ensuring that the flavors meld together into a delicious and tender meal. It’s often served with a side of pasta or potatoes and a green vegetable for a complete and balanced dinner.

As for the sauce, the field is wide open. You can whip up some basic ingredients into a savory, creamy sauce or start with an already-made jar of marinara. This one in the recipe is drenched in a zesty and buttery caper garlic lemon sauce — and it is oh-so juicy!

The best part about this recipe is that it comes together in one skillet. So, no worrying about dirtying your entire kitchen.

For the busy bees, chicken scallopini is a great meal to batch-cook and serve as leftovers.

Chicken Scallopini Ingredients – What You Need?

Once you’ve tried this dish, every pack of boneless skinless chicken breast will look at you secretly, hoping to be transformed into a delicious scallopini! So, if you’re going to put in the effort (honestly, there’s barely any, but oh well), you must get the best quality ingredients to make this dish as delectable as possible.

Chicken Breasts:

Two large boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you can get hold of organic, free-range chicken, all the better! The trick is to cut them in half lengthwise. You can then pound them which I didn’t have to as they were already very thin.

To make the process a bit easier for you, feel free to use a ziploc. 

Flour:

Coat and dredge the thin chicken breasts in some all-purpose flour. It creates a crispy and golden texture when it is pan-fried, yum! Also the flour will thicken up the sauce you’re creating without feeling like a heavy flour sauce.

That light dusting of flour on the chicken which gets seared in the pan will create a fine residue of flour which will later thicken up your sauce. Don’t overcoat the chicken breasts with flour; just a light dusting will do.

Seasoning for Flour:

What’s flour without a little flavor? Season the flour with some extra goodies to bring out the best in your chicken scallopini. Salt and pepper are a must, but feel free to add garlic powder, paprika, and oregano for a kick-up flavor.

Butter:

The key to a delicious scallopini is in the savory butter sauce. I always prefer unsalted butter. But if you’re using salted butter, use less salt when seasoning your scallopini later.

Lemon:

Citrusy goodness is just the right amount of tartness for this dish. You’ll need one large thinly-sliced lemon.

Garlic:

Even if the world is against it, garlic must always find its way into the recipe. You’ll need three cloves of fresh garlic, minced or grated – don’t use garlic powder for this one.

Capers and Stock:

The savory and briny capers add a unique flavor to the sauce. You’ll need two tablespoons of capers along with 2/3 cup of chicken or vegetable stock.

Optional Garnishes:

To finish the dish, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley over the top. Additionally, toasted pine nuts add a bit of crunch and nutty flavor.

How to Make Chicken Scallopini

1. Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Slice each chicken breast into two lengthwise. You should have two identical pieces–each super thin. Feel free to pound them for extra thinness although it’s not necessary.
2. Mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. If you like heat, feel free to add some red chili flakes
3. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Make sure that the chicken is not heavily breaded in flour because extra flour will clump in your skillet which you don’t want.
4. Heat a skillet and melt butter. Place the chicken in the skillet without over crowding. You want to have space to fry each chicken on both sides until golden brown.
5. You’re looking for that perfect GOLDEN brown gorgeous sear! YUM!!
6. Once you have that, remove the chicken from the pan and some more butter. Let it melt before adding minced (or chopped) garlic, capers and lemon slices.
7. Stir the garlic and lemon for about a minute, then add the chicken stock and let the sauce simmer until reduced and thickened.
8. Place the cooked and juicy chicken back in the pan and cook in the sauce for a few minutes until the chicken soaks up all the sauce flavors. 
9. Add some more butter before garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and toasted pine nuts (optional).

And there you have it – a delicious Chicken Scallopini meal! Enjoy with a side of vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a salad.

Chicken Scallopini Cooking Tips

• Remove the tenderloin part of the chicken breast, this helps the chicken to cook evenly and prevent the extra step of pounding the chicken.
• Save the tenderloins to make chicken fingers or Korean Fried Chicken Strips!
• Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken breast in half sectionally so that you have two thin equal pieces of chicken breast.
• Avoid over drenching the flour on the chicken breast because it will clump in your pan. You want just a light coating and dust off any excess.
• Seasoning your flour is KEY! the chicken will taste plain otherwise.
• Use a non-stick skillet to fry the chicken breasts. It prevents them from sticking to the pan and makes frying much easier
• Don’t shy from adjusting the seasoning if necessary. Add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavor if it’s too tart
• Keep an eye on the cooking time – you don’t want to overcook your chicken. The overcooked chicken will not be tender, and it will taste dry.
• The secret to a great scallopini lies in the butter sauce. So don’t skimp. Feel free to make it more rich with extra butter, more tangy with extra lemon juice, more garlicky with extra garlic etc. 
• If you don’t have chicken stock, use vegetable stock instead

Can I Store the Leftover Chicken Scallopini?

Yes, you can store the leftover scallopini in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet before eating.

Can I Freeze Chicken Scallopini?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked scallopini in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it on the stove. But it’s so easy and quick to make. You might as well just make a fresh batch next time.

Can I Make This Dish with Other Proteins?

Yes, you can use other proteins for scallopini. Thinly sliced pork or beef would work just as well. Make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the thickness of the meat.

Chicken Scallopini is a delightfully savory and flavorful dish that you can enjoy for lunch and dinner. With just a few simple ingredients, it comes together in no time. Plus, you can easily customize it to your liking. So, is this what you’re having for dinner tonight? Let me know.

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Grilled Chicken Parmesan

Korean Fried Chicken Strips

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