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–+ servings

Crispy Lemon Herb Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Cutlets

Crispy, golden pan-seared chicken cutlets enrobed in a luscious, velvety lemon herb garlic butter pan sauce with capers and fresh parsley. A vibrant, restaurant-quality 25-minute weeknight dinner made in a single skillet!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Golden Chicken Cutlets
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts approx. 2 large breasts, sliced horizontally into 4 thin cutlets and pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour for light dredging
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper divided
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter for searing
For the Velvety Lemon Herb Butter Pan Sauce
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken bone broth
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice from 2 large juicy lemons
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream for smooth silky body
  • 3 tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed
  • 2 tbsp non-pareil capers drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium lemon thinly sliced into wheels for searing
For Garnishing & Serving
  • 3 tbsp fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill or thyme leaves finely chopped
  • Flaky sea salt to finish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Prep and Pound Cutlets: Place sliced chicken cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound with a meat mallet to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Pat completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Season and Dredge: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Lightly dredge each cutlet in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
  3. Pan-Sear to Golden Crisp: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large 12-inch stainless steel or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot and shimmering, add cutlets in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Sear undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until deeply golden brown, flip, and sear for 2 to 3 minutes more until cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Transfer to a warm plate.
  4. Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to pan drippings and sauté for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken bone broth and fresh lemon juice, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all golden caramelized fond from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Simmer and Emulsify Sauce: Let liquid simmer vigorously for 3 to 4 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in lemon zest, heavy cream, and capers. Reduce heat to low, then whisk in the 3 tablespoons cold cubed butter one piece at a time until completely melted and emulsified into a glossy, velvety pan sauce.
  6. Combine and Garnish: Return crispy chicken cutlets and resting juices to the skillet, spooning the warm lemon butter sauce over the cutlets for 1 minute to warm through. Scatter seared lemon wheels, fresh chopped parsley, and dill over top. Serve immediately!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 36gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 720IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2.1mg

Notes

Chef Tip: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even 1/4-inch thickness guarantees quick, uniform cooking in just 3 minutes per side, keeping the interior impossibly juicy while creating an irresistible crispy golden crust. Swirling cold butter into the pan off high heat creates a silky, emulsified pan glaze.

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