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This Chicken Scallopini is a delicious dish of crusted chicken over lemon butter pasta. The combo is irresistible!

It’s hard to pick a “star” of this recipe, because both the chicken breast and the pasta are equally delicious, similar to a Chicken Parmigiana dish, or our Lemon Chicken Pasta.

Chicken Scallopini served over pasta in skillet.


What is Chicken Scallopini?

You guys know how much we love chicken and pasta here!! How can you not when they’re almost always delicious and loved by the whole family?!

This chicken scallopini happens to be another one of those yummy dishes and is one my mom got from watching the news one day (thanks, Mom). She gave it a try, and it was a hit!!

As I said, I’m not sure how scallopini wouldn’t be a hit when you have breaded chicken and pasta that is coated in a lemon butter sauce.

Scallopini is a type of Italian dish that comes in many forms. It consists of thinly sliced meat, that is dredged in flour or breadcrumbs and sautéed in one of a variety of reduced sauces. For this version, the chicken is coated in bread crumbs and sauteed in a lemon butter sauce.

How to Make Scallopini

Scallopini chicken is a simple dinner dish that is on the table in no time!

PASTA. Cook pasta according to box directions. While pasta is cooking, heat about 1 TB of oil and 2 T. butter in a large skillet.

CHICKEN. Coat chicken in breadcrumbs and saute in your skillet, turning until brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan.

SAUCE. In a medium pan, heat lemon juice and chicken broth on medium heat. Bring to a boil. 

Reduce to low-medium heat. Add cream and simmer until the mixture thickens. Slowly add your butter until incorporated.

COMBINE + SERVE. Add pasta to the lemon butter sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Add cut chicken over pasta. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Additional Toppings. While this dish is perfect in its simplicity, you can add some extra toppings or ingredients, such as:

  • mushrooms, capers, tomatoes, spinach, or zucchini
  • bacon bits, sliced pork, or veal
  • parmesan cheese
  • fresh chives and fresh parsley or lemon zest
  • add heat with chili flakes 
Cooked chicken in skillet for chicken scallopini recipe.

Recipe Tips

Add flavor. For a more flavorful sauce, use the same skillet where the chicken was cooked. Once the chicken has been cooked and removed from the skillet drain any oils. Add the chicken broth, or white wine, along with the lemon juice, and proceed with the recipe instructions. 

Pasta. I used linguine, but any long noodle will work. Depending on how saucy you like the pasta, use anywhere between ¾-1 lb of noodles.

Chicken. Use 4 thin chicken cutlets which are precut chicken breasts. To make your own: buy 2 large chicken breasts. Use a sharp knife to slice them in half lengthwise. Use the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them into thin slices. 

Complete the meal. We like to serve this chicken scallopini with a vegetable side, salad, or bread. Here are some favorites!

Noodles for scallopini cooked in skillet.

Storing Tips

STORE the leftover scallopini in airtight containers either separately or all together for 2-3 days.

FREEZE leftovers for 4-6 weeks.

To reheat. Thaw if applicable.

  • If possible, remove the chicken from the pasta and sauté in a pan until warm and crisp. Remove.
  • Add the pasta to the pan and slowly over low heat.
  • Add a little milk to help the cream become more smooth. Once hot, serve with the chicken on top.

If you are in a hurry, use the microwave to heat up the dish.

Chicken Scallopini served over pasta in skillet.

Recipe FAQ

What does scallopini mean in cooking?

It comes from the Italian word scaloppine which is thin slices of meat often coated and served with a delicious sauce.

How to cut the chicken for scallopini?

You can buy chicken cutlets or slice a chicken breast in half and then use a kitchen mallet to pound them into thinner pieces. After the chicken breast is cooked, cut the meat into strips to serve over the pasta.

For more chicken pasta recipes, check out:

4.87 from 23 votes

Chicken Scallopini Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This Chicken Scallopini is a delicious dish of crusted chicken over lemon butter pasta. The combo is irresistible and beyond delicious!
Servings: 4
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 thin chicken breast skinless, boneless
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for sautéing
  • 2 tablespoons butter for sautéing
  • 2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs or Panko
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 lb. linguini pasta cooked
  • parsley for garnish

Lemon Butter Sauce:

  • 4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (or white wine)
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup butter

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to box directions. 
  • While pasta is cooking, heat about 1 TB of oil and 2 T. butter in a large skillet.
  • Coat chicken in breadcrumbs and saute in your skillet, turning until brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan.
  • In a medium pan, heat lemon juice and chicken broth on medium heat. Bring to a boil. 
  • Reduce to low-medium heat. Add cream and simmer until the mixture thickens. Slowly add your butter until incorporated.
  • Add pasta to a lemon butter sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add cut chicken over pasta. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 1377kcal, Carbohydrates: 128g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 74g, Saturated Fat: 41g, Cholesterol: 250mg, Sodium: 1606mg, Potassium: 886mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 2180IU, Vitamin C: 14.9mg, Calcium: 172mg, Iron: 4.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
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Recipe adapted from ABC 15



About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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45 Comments

    1. It is the last ingredient listed there on the recipe card under the “Lemon Butter Sauce”. 1 cup of butter.