Crispy Chicken Scallopini with Lemony Butter-White Wine Sauce & Blistered Tomatoes: An Elegant Weeknight Delight

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner experience with a dish that effortlessly blends sophistication with simple preparation: Crispy Chicken Scallopini. This recipe features tender chicken cutlets, pan-fried to golden perfection, then bathed in a light, bright lemony butter-white wine sauce, and adorned with sweet, blistered cherry tomatoes. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures – the crisp exterior of the chicken, the rich yet zesty sauce, and the burst of fresh tomatoes – making it an irresistibly delicious meal. Ideal for those special occasions or simply to transform an ordinary evening into an extraordinary culinary moment, this chicken scallopini is a testament to how easy elegance can be. Serve it alongside your favorite pasta and a crisp green salad for a complete and utterly satisfying meal that your entire family will adore.

There’s a unique charm to the colder months, isn’t there? For me, the advent of winter brings a welcome respite from the intense summer heat of Texas, allowing me to trade light apparel for the comforting embrace of fleecy sweaters and to savor warm mugs of hot cocoa. Winter holds a special place in my heart, at least in my corner of the world. However, the hearty stews, robust casseroles, and savory roasts that define winter cooking sometimes lack the vibrant, punchy colors and fresh zest typical of warmer weather meals. That’s why I often find myself seeking ways to infuse a touch of spring and summer brightness into my cold-weather culinary creations. Conveniently, winter also ushers in citrus season, offering a natural solution to this craving for sunshine on a plate.

Even if the thermostat outside is signaling frosty temperatures, the warmth and inviting aromas filling my kitchen tell a different story. Today, we’re diving into the delightful preparation of a tender, crispy chicken scallopini, brought to life with juicy tomatoes, briny capers, and a silky, luminous lemony butter and white wine sauce. This dish perfectly marries comfort with sophistication, making it an impeccable choice for both celebratory gatherings and those busy weeknights when you desire a homemade meal that feels both effortless and exquisitely gourmet. Its elegant presentation belies its straightforward cooking process, proving that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly memorable.

One of my absolute favorite beverages, and a consistent culinary companion throughout the year, is white wine. For this particular recipe, a fantastic choice is a good quality Pinot Grigio. Brands like Barefoot Wine offer an accessible and delightful Pinot Grigio that boasts refreshing notes of tart apple and ripe peach. This specific wine proved to be an impeccable partner for creating the velvety, buttery lemon sauce that exquisitely coats our chicken. The wine’s crisp acidity and subtle fruitiness beautifully complement the richness of the butter and the brightness of the lemon, creating a harmonious and balanced flavor profile. Beyond its role in our scallopini, this type of Pinot Grigio also makes a wonderful addition to spicier pasta dishes, lending a counterpoint of freshness, and it’s simply a scrumptious sip on its own, perhaps enjoyed alongside a piping hot pizza.

A golden rule in my kitchen is to always cook with a wine that you genuinely enjoy drinking. There’s no sense in using an inferior wine in your cooking, as its flavor will undoubtedly translate into your dish. Since I’m confident you’ll appreciate the delightful characteristics of this Pinot Grigio, I wholeheartedly recommend picking up a bottle to both cook with and enjoy as you prepare your meal. Imagine the pleasant experience of sipping a glass of crisp white wine while sautéing your chicken and simmering your sauce – it truly enhances the cooking process! Just be sure to reserve enough to savor alongside your finished meal. The synergy between this crispy chicken scallopini and a glass of well-chosen white wine is simply incredible, elevating the entire dining experience.

This simple yet irresistibly crispy chicken scallopini is designed to be a showstopper without demanding hours of your time. Picture perfectly golden chicken cutlets resting atop a bed of your favorite hot pasta, generously smothered with the luscious lemon-butter sauce, sweet blistered tomatoes, and tangy capers. The combination of these elements creates a symphony of flavors and textures that dance on the palate – the savory chicken, the sweet-tart tomatoes, and the salty capers all unified by the vibrant sauce. To complete this delicious and visually appealing dinner, simply add a fresh green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette and a few extra lemon wedges on the side for an added burst of freshness. This colorful and flavorful meal is not only satisfying but also a testament to how easy it is to bring gourmet taste into your home kitchen. It’s a dish that promises to impress, delight, and become a cherished part of your recipe rotation.

Crispy Chicken Scallopini with Tomatoes in a Lemon-Butter White Wine Sauce

Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

For Chicken Scallopini:

• 4 4-ounce chicken cutlets, pounded 1/4-inch thick
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
• 6 Tablespoons olive oil, divided

For Lemon-Butter White Wine Sauce:

• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup Barefoot White Wine (Pinot Grigio recommended)
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
• 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 teaspoons capers

For serving:

• Hot cooked pasta (linguine or angel hair work beautifully)
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

For Chicken Scallopini:

1. Gently pat chicken cutlets dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy crust, then season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper on both sides. Prepare three separate shallow dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with the beaten large eggs, and the third with Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. Working with one chicken cutlet at a time, dredge it thoroughly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it completely into the beaten egg mixture, allowing any extra to drip off. Finally, coat the cutlet evenly with the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they adhere well to the chicken. This triple coating creates the perfect crispy exterior.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Once the oil is hot, carefully place two breaded chicken cutlets into the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook until they are beautifully golden brown and crisp on both sides, typically 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked cutlets to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Keep them warm in a preheated oven set to a low temperature (around 170-200 degrees F) while you cook the remaining chicken. Repeat the process with the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the last two cutlets, ensuring each piece achieves that irresistible crunch.

For Lemon-Butter White Wine Sauce:

1. After removing the chicken, increase the heat to medium-high in the same skillet. Add the low-sodium chicken broth, white wine, and halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Bring the mixture to a brisk simmer, allowing it to cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes begin to blister and soften slightly, and the sauce has reduced and thickened marginally. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the butter, fresh lemon juice, and capers until the butter is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and emulsified. The lemon and capers will add a bright, briny kick that perfectly balances the richness of the butter and wine.

For serving:

1. To serve, arrange the golden-brown crispy chicken cutlets on top of a generous portion of hot cooked pasta. Spoon the delectable lemon-butter sauce and the blistered tomatoes generously over the chicken and pasta, ensuring every bite is coated in flavor. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil for a touch of vibrant color and an extra layer of fresh aroma.
2. Serve immediately and savor every exquisite bite of this elegant and easy-to-make dish! Enjoy!

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