Heart-Healthy Chicken Francese

Embrace a guilt-free twist on a classic Italian-American favorite with this Heart-Healthy Chicken Francese. Featuring tender, boneless chicken breasts lightly coated in whole wheat flour and seasoned egg whites, this recipe reduces saturated fats while delivering bold, zesty flavors. A vibrant lemon-garlic sauce, made with low-sodium chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, adds a mouthwatering tang without overpowering the dish. Using olive oil instead of butter keeps the meal light yet satisfying, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley brings a pop of color and freshness. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy, healthier take on Chicken Francese is perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining. Serve with steamed greens or whole-grain pasta for a wholesome, balanced meal packed with heart-friendly ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 0.5 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.

Step 2

In a shallow dish, combine the whole wheat flour, black pepper, and salt.

Step 3

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy and add in the lemon zest.

Step 4

Dip each chicken breast first into the flour mixture, then into the egg white mixture, allowing excess to drip off.

Step 5

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once heated, add the coated chicken breasts.

Step 6

Cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 7

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 8

Add the low-sodium chicken broth and lemon juice to the skillet, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 9

Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 10

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them.

Step 11

Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(853.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1126.0

Total Fat 42.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 1091.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 54.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.5g	0%
Total Sugars 3.7g
Protein 129.5g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 100.9mg	0%
Iron 6.6mg	0%
Potassium 1465.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.1%

Protein: 46.3%

Carbs: 19.6%