Il Cucinologo
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Chicken Scaloppine

21/08/2024

Chicken scaloppine are a simple and tasty dish, perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. Their preparation is quick and allows you to bring to the table a flavorful and refined second course, ideal for those who love the fresh and delicate flavors of Italian cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 4 thin slices of chicken breast
  • Flour, for dusting the slices
  • 50 g butter
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1 fresh lemon
  • About 100 ml chicken broth
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

  1. If the chicken breast slices are too thick, place them on a cutting board and pound them lightly with a meat mallet to make them thin and even. Dredge the slices in flour, making sure they are well coated on both sides, then shake off the excess.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil together with the butter over medium heat. Let the butter melt completely and begin to foam slightly. At this point, add the floured chicken slices to the pan, being careful not to overlap them.
  3. Cook the slices for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they have a nice golden color. During cooking, make sure the heat is not too high to prevent the butter from burning. Season the slices with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Pour the lemon juice into the pan, directly over the slices, distributing it evenly. Let it cook for a minute, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly and the lemon flavor to penetrate the meat.
  5. Add most of the hot broth to the pan, pouring it gently along the edge so it mixes with the lemon sauce. Lower the heat slightly and let the scaloppine cook for another 5 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to flavor both sides. If the sauce dries out too much, you can add a little more broth.
  6. If necessary, adjust the salt and pepper and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened slightly, creating a velvety sauce that coats the slices.
  7. Transfer the scaloppine to serving plates. Pour the remaining sauce from the pan over the slices to add flavor and shine. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately, accompanied by a light side dish such as a green salad or roasted potatoes.

Trivia

Chicken scaloppine lend themselves to many variations: you can add a bit of white wine along with the lemon juice to deglaze the meat, or incorporate a small amount of cream to make the sauce creamier. This quick and versatile recipe is a timeless classic of Italian cuisine.