Description
Classic Italian-American lemon caper chicken cutlets showcase tender poultry with zesty Mediterranean flavors. Crispy pan-seared cutlets drizzled in tangy sauce invite you to savor delightful culinary simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large or 2 small butterflied chicken breasts or chicken cutlets (0.75 lb / 340 g)
- 3 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps avocado or grapeseed oil
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps rice flour
- 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 large shallot, finely minced (about 3 tbsps)
- 1 tbsp drained capers
- ½ of a small-medium preserved lemon, finely chopped
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep Cutlets: Slice chicken breasts horizontally, then gently pound between plastic wrap to achieve uniform 1/2-inch thickness, ensuring even cooking.
- Flour Coating: Mix all-purpose and rice flours in a shallow dish, creating a light, crisp exterior for the chicken.
- Sauté Station: Heat skillet over medium-high, incorporate oil and butter until butter becomes frothy and golden, preparing for chicken cooking.
- Season and Dredge: Generously season chicken with salt and pepper, then carefully coat in flour mixture, shaking off excess for a light, even layer.
- Golden Transformation: Carefully place floured cutlets in hot skillet, cooking 3 minutes per side until achieving a beautiful golden-brown crust and thorough doneness.
- Create Sauce: Without cleaning skillet, sauté shallots and red pepper flakes until fragrant, then deglaze with lemon juice, capers, and preserved lemon, allowing flavors to intensify.
- Sauce Finale: Whisk in remaining butter to create a luxurious, glossy sauce that will elevate the chicken’s flavor profile.
- Plate and Garnish: Transfer golden chicken to serving plates, pour vibrant sauce over cutlets, and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and herbal brightness.
Notes
- Slice and Pound Precisely: Create uniform 1/2-inch thick cutlets for even cooking and tender texture by carefully slicing and gently pounding chicken breasts between plastic wrap.
- Master the Flour Blend: Mix all-purpose and rice flours for a lighter, crispier coating that ensures a delicate golden-brown crust on your chicken cutlets.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Use medium-high heat with a butter and oil combination to achieve the perfect golden-brown exterior without burning the delicate flour coating.
- Build Flavor Layers: Develop depth by deglazing the same skillet with lemon juice, capers, and preserved lemon after cooking chicken, creating a vibrant sauce that complements the crispy cutlets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg