Chicken Paillards With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipes

CHICKEN PAILLARD WITH LEMON-CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare chicken breasts: Lay the chicken between two large sheets of plastic wrap. With a meat mallet or heavy sauté pan, pound each breast to a ½-inch thickness. Salt each breast liberally, sprinkling from a height to ensure even distribution, then season with pepper. Flip each breast and season the other side. If using mustard and tarragon, spread about 2 teaspoons of mustard and 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon leaves on one side of each breast.Spread flour onto a dinner plate. Dredge breasts by coating them completely with flour, then shake off any excess. (They should be lightly dusted.) Set aside. Repeat with remaining breasts.
• Pan-fry chicken: Place skillet over high heat. While it's heating, trim, halve, and peel the shallot. When the skillet begins to smoke, add oil. When the oil begins smoking, gently place the chicken breasts in the pan in an even layer, so that they do not overlap. (You may need to work in batches if your skillet is smaller.) Allow them to cook undisturbed until they are nicely browned on the first side, about 3 minutes. Do not move the chicken around while it cooks, or the crust will stick to the pan. Meanwhile, mince the shallot.After the first side is browned, flip the breasts and finish cooking, 2-3 minutes. (Depending on the strength of your range, you may need to turn the heat down so the flour doesn't burn.) When they are just cooked through and have only a little give when pressed with a finger, 6-8 minutes total, transfer them to a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
• Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced shallot and stir with a wooden spatula. Add the lemon wheels and a pinch of salt; stir, but do not flip the lemons (they'll caramelize better if left to cook on one side). Scrape up any bits of flour and fat at the bottom of the pan. Once the shallots are caramelized and the lemons have begun to brown, about 2-3 minutes, add the wine and stir. When about half the wine has cooked off, turn the heat to high. Add the butter to the pan one tablespoon at a time, shaking and moving the pan continuously until all the butter has melted and emulsified into the sauce. Add the capers, stir, and remove pan from heat. Transfer chicken to a platter, then spoon the sauce over each breast. Arrange lemon wheels on top and serve immediately.

CHICKEN PAILLARD WITH PARMESAN BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap, and pound to an even thickness of 1/3 inch. Spread flour in a wide shallow bowl or pie pan. Beat eggs in another wide shallow bowl. In a third such bowl or dish, combine bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano and 3 tablespoons parsley.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, then in egg, then in bread crumbs, pressing to help crumbs adhere. Place 2 large sauté pans or skillets over high heat for 2 minutes. Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in each pan and swirl pans so oil spreads. Heat until shimmering, 30 to 60 seconds.
• Carefully place 3 chicken breasts in each pan. Cook 3 minutes, then add one tablespoon butter to each pan. Continue to cook until undersides are golden brown, about one more minute. Reduce heat to medium, turn chicken and cook again until golden brown and chicken is opaque in center, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet, cover with foil and keep warm.
• Return unwashed pans to medium heat and swirl one tablespoon olive oil into each. Divide rosemary and chili between pans and let sizzle for 30 seconds. Add half the garlic to each pan, stir a few seconds, then add escarole to each pan. Season with salt and pepper and sauté gently until greens have just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with a squeeze of lemon and transfer to a large warmed platter. Top with chicken, cover with foil and keep warm.
• Wipe out one pan and return to medium heat. Add remaining 10 tablespoons butter and cook until it is browned and has a nutty fragrance. Remove from heat, wait a few seconds and add capers, lemon zest and remaining 3 tablespoons parsley. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Spoon brown butter and capers over chicken and greens.

CHICKEN PAILLARD

Steps:

• Pound chicken breasts on a work surface using a meat tenderizer or heavy pan to 1/4-inch thick. Whisk wine, juice of 1 lemon, shallot, 2 teaspoons olive oil, and garlic together in a shallow bowl. Add chicken breasts; marinate for 15 minutes.
• Whisk juice of 1 lemon, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and lemon zest together in a large bowl; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add arugula and tomatoes; toss to combine.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate, or heat a skillet over high heat.
• Remove chicken from marinade; season with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Cook chicken on preheated grill until golden brown and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Plate chicken with arugula salad on top.