Lemon Butter Chicken Cutlets Recipes, Escape to Flavor Town!
This recipe is like the life of the party in your kitchen—easy, fun, and guaranteed to leave everyone asking for more. So, tie your apron, and let's dive into this zesty adventure!
Key Takeaways:
Save Stress and Time: It's quick, easy, and packed with flavor, making it a perfect addition to your culinary repertoire.
The Toolbox: Make sure you have the necessary utensils and equipment needed before you start, if not no worries they are just a click away!
"KitchenRIZZ": Add some "chaRIZZma to your Kitchen game" with these 5 Chef tips and hacks to level up these cutlets this!
Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Flavor
- Chicken Cutlets: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
- Flour: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
- Salt & Pepper: To taste
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons for frying
- Butter: 4 tablespoons, divided
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup for deglazing
- Lemon Juice: From 2 lemons
- Lemon Zest: From 1 lemon
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped for garnish
- Capers (optional): 2 tablespoons for an extra zing
The Toolbox: Utensils Required
- Whisk
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Rubber Scraper/ Spatula
- Tongs
- Henckel Santoku Knife (for chopping & mincing)
- Citrus Juicer (for lemon juice)
- Microplane (for lemon zest)
- Paper Towels
- Baking Sheet with Cooling Rack
- meat mallet (tenderizer)
- Mixing Bowls
- Airtight Food Storage Containers (leftovers, if any!)
- Meat Thermometer (internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
"We hope these recipes bring joy to you and your loved ones. We are Proud Brand Ambassadors and Amazon Associates. We may earn compensation on qualifying purchases of cooking equipment through our links at absolutely no extra cost to you!
Procedure: The Dance of the Pans
- Prep Work: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cooking the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on paper towel to catch excess oil then rest on a baking sheet with cooling rack
- Making the Sauce: In the same skillet reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and capers if using.
- Finishing Touches: Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the cutlets and simmer for a couple of minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the remaining butter and garnish with parsley before serving.
Variations: Twist It Your Way!
For the Health-Conscious
Swap out all-purpose flour for almond flour and use olive oil instead of butter. You'll still get a delightful dish but with fewer calories and a lower carb count.
For the Dairy-Free Diners
Use a plant-based butter alternative and ensure your chicken broth is free from any dairy products. This small tweak allows everyone to enjoy this zesty dish without any worries.
Pairing Suggestions: What to Serve?
Lemon butter chicken cutlets are versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a comforting meal, serve with a bed of pasta, mashed potatoes or over a bed of creamy polenta. If you're looking for something lighter, a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables make perfect companions.
Storing & Reheating: Keep the Freshness
Store leftover chicken cutlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Avoid the microwave to keep the chicken from drying out.
Meal Prep Magic: Save Time & Stress
This recipe is fantastic for meal prep. Cook the chicken cutlets in advance and store them separately from the sauce. When ready to eat, reheat the cutlets, make the sauce fresh, and combine for a meal that tastes freshly made!
Why Lemon Butter Chicken?
This dish isn't just delicious; it's also packed with protein and can be adjusted to fit various dietary needs. The lemon adds a burst of vitamin C, and the capers introduce a novel flavor twist that can elevate the dish from great to extraordinary.
Let's dive into the nutritional breakdown and some dietary tweaks.
Total Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
Assuming this recipe serves 4, here's the breakdown per serving:
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Protein: ~30g
- Carbohydrates: ~10g
- Fats: ~20g
Macronutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
- Protein: 30g (from chicken)
- Fats: 20g (from olive oil and butter)
- Saturated Fat: ~8g
- Carbohydrates: 10g (mostly from flour and lemon juice)
- Sugars: ~1g
Micronutritional Highlights (Per Serving)
- Vitamin C: ~30% of Daily Value (from lemon juice and zest)
- Vitamin A: ~10% of Daily Value (from butter and parsley)
- Iron: ~8% of Daily Value (from chicken and flour)
- Calcium: ~4% of Daily Value (from butter)
Dietary Recommendations
For Gluten-Free:
- Use a gluten-free flour blend for dredging.
For Low-Carb/Keto:
- Substitute flour with almond flour or coconut flour.
For Vegan:
- Substitute chicken with tofu or a plant-based chicken alternative.
- Use vegan butter and vegetable broth.
For Low-Sodium:
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce the added salt.
For Dairy-Free:
- Use a dairy-free butter alternative.
RECIPE Condensed
🚨"KitchenRIZZ"🚨
Add some "chaRIZZma" to your Kitchen Game with these Pro Chef Tips and Kitchen hacks to make the process of making Lemon Butter Chicken Cutlets more efficient and enjoyable.
Capers for Crunch:
- Rinse the capers and lightly fry them before adding them to the dish.
- Why: to remove excess salt and a crunchy texture.
Pre-Slice Your Lemons:
- Hack: Slice your lemons with a paring knife and remove the seeds before you start cooking.
- Why: This saves you from having to stop mid-recipe to slice and seed lemons, keeping your workflow smooth and uninterrupted.
Use a Microplane for Garlic:
- Hack: Instead of mincing garlic with a knife, use a microplane grater to grate it directly into your pan.
- Why: This method is faster and ensures the garlic is finely grated, which helps it cook evenly and release more flavor.
Pre-Measure Ingredients:
- Hack: Measure out all your ingredients before you start cooking and place them in small bowls or ramekins.
- Why: This mise en place technique keeps you organized and ensures you have everything ready to go, reducing the risk of missing an ingredient or step.
Use a Food Processor for Dredging:
- Hack: Pulse your flour and seasonings in a Food Processor to mix them thoroughly before dredging the chicken.
- Why: This ensures an even coating on the chicken cutlets and saves time compared to mixing by hand.
These hacks will not only save you time but also make your cooking process more efficient and enjoyable.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Chicken thighs will be juicier but remember to adjust cooking times as they might take a bit longer to cook through.
Q: What can I use instead of lemon if I'm out?
A: In a pinch, lime or even orange juice can provide a similar acidic brightness to the dish, though the flavor profile will change slightly.
Q: Is this dish suitable for freezing?
A: Yes, you can freeze the cooked chicken cutlets and sauce separately. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently to preserve the best texture and flavor.
Have Fun...Smile...Be Happy - KDII
"We hope these recipes bring joy to you and your loved ones. We are Proud Brand Ambassadors and Amazon Associates. We may earn compensation on qualifying purchases of cooking equipment through our links at absolutely no extra cost to you!