Chicken French
Photo: @joefoodie · CC BY 2.0

History

Chicken French emerged from Rochester's dense Italian-American restaurant corridor during the mid-twentieth century. The name does not indicate French origin; it refers to the French-style egg dredge (passer a la francaise) used before searing. Mr. Dominic's at the Lake is the most cited original version. The dish spread from Italian family restaurants through the wider Rochester dining scene and is now on menus at hotel restaurants, brewpubs, and diners throughout the metro.

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Common allergens: Gluten, Eggs, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Serves 4Hands-on 25 minTotal 25 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and white pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Method

  1. Season chicken with salt and white pepper. Dip in beaten egg, then dredge lightly in flour and shake off excess.
  2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high. Add chicken and sear 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and rest on a plate.
  3. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add lemon juice and swirl in a tablespoon of cold butter to finish the sauce.
  5. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Tip from the editors. Pound the chicken very thin; thick breasts overcook before the crust browns. The sauce should be light and lemony, not a cream sauce.

Where to eat chicken french

Chicken French in Rochester

Mr. Dominic's at the Lake ★ 4.4

$$$ Italian-AmericanNorth Rochester

Mr. Dominic's at the Lake on Lake Ave serves Chicken French and Italian-American fine dining with patio views of Lake Ontario. Named Best Chicken French 2025.

OrderThe Chicken French, the dish Rochester's Italian-American restaurants made famous, executed at its most refined here.

TipPatio seats overlook Lake Ontario Park and the Port of Rochester. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday dinner.

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