Crispy Italian Chicken Christopher with Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Crispy Italian Chicken Christopher is a flavorful dish featuring breaded and pan-fried chicken breasts baked to perfection, topped with a zesty garlic butter sauce made with fresh garlic, lemon juice, and chicken broth. This recipe offers a delightful combination of crunchy coating and rich, tangy sauce, perfect for a comforting and elegant meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking and Sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken after searing.
- Pound the chicken: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch; this ensures uniform cooking.
- Prepare the flour mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and garlic powder for seasoning.
- Beat the eggs: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth to serve as a binding agent for the breadcrumbs.
- Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan: In a third bowl, combine Italian-style breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese to create a flavorful crust.
- Dredge chicken in flour: Coat each chicken breast thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess to prevent clumping.
- Dip in eggs: Submerge the floured chicken breasts into the beaten eggs, allowing any extra egg to drip off for even coating.
- Coat with breadcrumbs: Press the chicken into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, ensuring an even coverage on both sides.
- Heat olive oil: Warm the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, preparing for searing the chicken.
- Sear the chicken: Cook each chicken breast in the skillet until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, to form a crispy crust.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the skillet with the chicken breasts into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and juices run clear.
- Prepare garlic butter sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat to create the base for the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, releasing its flavors.
- Add liquids: Stir in chicken broth and freshly squeezed lemon juice, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes so it thickens slightly and the flavors meld perfectly.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled to enhance the sauce’s brightness.
- If you want extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs before frying.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to easily transfer the chicken from stovetop to oven without removing it from the pan.
- Make sure chicken breasts are pounded evenly to avoid undercooked or overcooked spots.
- Garnish the finished dish with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, colorful presentation.
- Leftover garlic butter sauce can be refrigerated and used as a flavorful dip or drizzle for other dishes.
Keywords: crispy Italian chicken, breaded chicken, garlic butter sauce, baked chicken, Parmesan crust, easy Italian recipe
