Chicken scallopini is a delightful dish that combines tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts with a tangy lemon-caper sauce. This Italian-inspired recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the flavors to shine, making it a favorite for many.
While most of the ingredients for chicken scallopini are commonly found in your pantry, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and capers are essential for the tangy sauce. Capers, which are pickled flower buds, add a unique briny flavor that complements the dish perfectly. Make sure to get thinly sliced chicken breasts or pound them to an even thickness for the best results.

Ingredients for Chicken Scallopini Recipe
Chicken breasts: Thinly sliced to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Flour: Used for dredging the chicken, giving it a light, crispy coating.
Olive oil: Provides a rich flavor and is used for cooking the chicken.
Chicken broth: Adds depth to the sauce and enhances the chicken's flavor.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright, tangy taste in the sauce.
Capers: Pickled flower buds that add a unique briny flavor to the dish.
Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a hint of spice and balances the flavors.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When dredging the chicken, make sure to shake off any excess flour to avoid a gummy texture. This ensures a crisp and golden exterior when you cook the chicken in the olive oil.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
thinly sliced chicken breasts - Substitute with thinly sliced turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken, making them a suitable alternative.
thinly sliced chicken breasts - Substitute with pork tenderloin: Pork tenderloin is tender and can be sliced thinly, providing a similar texture to chicken.
flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used for dredging and will create a similar crispy coating when cooked.
flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour is a gluten-free option that provides a nutty flavor and similar texture for dredging.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil is rich in healthy fats and has a high smoke point, suitable for sautéing.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a similar depth of flavor and is a good vegetarian option.
chicken broth - Substitute with white wine: White wine adds a rich, complex flavor and can be used to deglaze the pan and create a sauce.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and can provide a fresh, tangy flavor.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers a similar acidity and can be used to brighten the dish.
capers - Substitute with green olives: Green olives provide a briny, salty flavor similar to capers.
capers - Substitute with pickled green peppercorns: Pickled green peppercorns offer a similar tangy and briny flavor.
butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a rich, buttery flavor and a higher smoke point, making it suitable for cooking.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for a dairy-free option, though it will add a slight coconut flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty, umami flavor to the dish.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and a different flavor profile, enhancing the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the chicken scallopini to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the cooled chicken scallopini to an airtight container. If you have multiple pieces, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The chicken scallopini will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken scallopini. Place the cooled pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. This prevents the pieces from sticking together.
Once frozen, transfer the chicken scallopini to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken scallopini in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture.
Reheat the chicken scallopini in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or lemon juice to refresh the sauce and keep the dish moist.
Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven. Preheat to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken scallopini in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
Avoid using the microwave for reheating, as it can make the chicken rubbery and the sauce less appealing.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken scallopini in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through. You can add a splash of chicken broth or lemon juice to keep it moist.
Stovetop Method: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter. Place the chicken scallopini in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is warmed through. Add a bit of chicken broth or lemon juice to the skillet to keep the chicken moist and enhance the flavors.
Microwave Method: Place the chicken scallopini on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. If needed, add a splash of chicken broth or lemon juice to keep it from drying out.
Sous Vide Method: If you have a sous vide machine, set it to 140°F (60°C). Place the chicken scallopini in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30 minutes. This method ensures the chicken remains tender and juicy.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken scallopini in the air fryer basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method will help maintain the chicken's crispy exterior while reheating it evenly.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Meat mallet: Used to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, ensuring they cook evenly.
Skillet: Essential for cooking the chicken and preparing the sauce. A medium to large size is ideal.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts while cooking and for removing them from the skillet.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the flour, chicken broth, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Whisk: Useful for stirring the sauce to ensure it is smooth and well combined.
Spatula: Helps in stirring the sauce and incorporating the butter until it melts.
Plate: Needed to set aside the cooked chicken breasts temporarily.
Knife: Useful for cutting the lemon to squeeze out the juice.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for pounding the chicken and cutting the lemon.
Small bowl: Ideal for holding the flour for dredging the chicken.
Spoon: Useful for spooning the sauce over the chicken when serving.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and prepare all ingredients before starting to cook to streamline the process.
Use pre-sliced chicken: Purchase thinly sliced chicken breasts to skip the pounding step.
One-pan method: Use the same skillet for cooking the chicken and making the sauce to save on cleanup time.
Quick dredging: Place the flour in a resealable bag and shake the chicken inside to coat it quickly and evenly.
Simmer efficiently: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers so they can be added immediately.

Chicken Scallopini Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken breasts thinly sliced
- ½ cup Flour for dredging
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- ½ cup Chicken broth
- ¼ cup Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons Capers drained
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet.
- 2. Dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
- 3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- 4. Cook the chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- 5. In the same skillet, add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Bring to a simmer.
- 6. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- 7. Stir in the butter until melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 8. Serve the chicken with the sauce spooned over the top.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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