Description
A quick and easy Chicken Scallopini that pairs crispy chicken cutlets with linguini in a lemon-butter cream sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.25 pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 lb linguini pasta
- 4 oz fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken quickly: Pound to an even 1/4–1/2 inch thickness and season.
- Breadcrumb the chicken: Coat each breast with breadcrumbs.
- Start the pasta: Cook linguini in salted water and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sear the chicken: Cook in skillet until golden brown, then keep warm.
- Make the lemon butter sauce: Add lemon juice and broth to deglaze skillet.
- Add cream and reduce slightly: Thicken the sauce for 1-2 minutes.
- Emulsify with cold butter: Whisk in butter until glossy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Combine and adjust seasoning.
- Plate and finish: Serve with parsley garnish and optional cheese.
Notes
This dish is forgiving with cooking times; slight adjustments won’t ruin it. Feel free to customize with seasonal vegetables or different cheeses.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken, scallopini, quick dinner, family-friendly, weeknight meal, pasta, lemon butter sauce