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–+ servings

Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Chicken Cutlets

Thin, golden pan-seared chicken cutlets smothered in a luxurious 20-minute lemon garlic herb butter cream sauce with brined capers and caramelized lemon wheels.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

Golden Chicken Cutlets
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts halved horizontally into 4 thin cutlets, pounded to 1/3-inch thickness
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour for a delicate golden crust
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt divided for seasoning cutlets and sauce
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper coarsely ground
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder whisked into flour dredging
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil for searing chicken to golden perfection
Silky Lemon Herb Pan Sauce
  • 3 tbsp unsalted European butter divided, cold cubed to mount sauce at the end
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken bone broth for deglazing savory golden fond, strictly zero alcohol
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream full fat for luxurious velvet emulsion
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice freshly squeezed from 1 large lemon
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon zest finely grated for intense aromatic oils
  • 2 tbsp brined green capers drained, adds zesty briny piquancy
Aromatics & Finishing Garnishes
  • 1 small lemon sliced into thin wheels and lightly caramelized in skillet
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves minced, for subtle botanical warmth

Method
 

Skillet Chicken & Sauce Preparation
  1. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even 1/3-inch thickness. Season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Lightly dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dredging creates that signature golden exterior crust that grabs onto the sauce.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large 12-inch heavy stainless steel or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add the cutlets in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply golden brown and cooked through to 165°F (74°C). Transfer cutlets to a warm plate.
  4. Add the lemon slices to the hot skillet and sear for 1 minute until caramelized on the edges; remove to the plate with the chicken. Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken bone broth, scraping up all the golden browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer and let reduce by half, about 3 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy whipping cream, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, drained capers, and fresh thyme. Simmer gently on medium-low for 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens into a glossy, velvety consistency.
  7. Remove skillet from direct heat and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold cubed butter until fully emulsified and luxurious. Return the seared chicken cutlets and caramelized lemon slices to the skillet, spooning the warm sauce over them. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 38gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 610mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 28IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 14mg

Notes

Chef Secret: Cold butter mounting (monter au beurre) is the secret to a velvety bistro pan sauce! Remove the skillet from heat before swirling in cold butter cubes. This emulsifies the dairy fats smoothly without breaking or separating.

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