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Keeping things colorful and easy today with this 20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken with Burst Cherry Tomatoes. Lightly breaded chicken seared until golden in browned butter with fresh thyme. The chicken is topped with garlicky burst cherry tomatoes, lots of basil, and a squeeze of lemon. It’s simple but mouthwatering. Serve this simple skillet chicken over creamy mashed cauliflower. Or keep it super simple and serve with crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious lemon butter sauce. This dish makes great use of those summer tomatoes. It’s the 20 minute summer dinner that everyone will love!
The thing I love most about summer is the abundance of produce. Whether you’re growing your own herbs, have an extensive backyard vegetable garden, or are simply picking up items from the market, there’s no shortage of produce. And for me, this provides me with an endless amount of inspiration.
Of course, I have moments of not being sure what recipe to make next. In fact, I have them often, but when this happens I turn to the items I have on hand. In the fridge, growing in the herb garden, or just the produce I have on the counter. I let the food direct me in the kitchen. Sounds a bit cheesy, I know, but this is just how I end up developing my favorite (effortless) recipes.
Enter this butter chicken. Yes, butter chicken. In the words of little miss Asher, it’s a delectable one skillet dinner that comes together in just twenty minutes with minimal ingredients. All of which are currently in season (and potentially growing in your backyard).
The background.
I made this recipe last week, after purchasing one too many tomatoes from Whole Foods. In an effort to use them up before they went bad, I made Florentine Butter Chicken. Which is not to be confused with Indian Butter Chicken (chicken in a creamy Indian curry sauce). Or Chicken Florentine (Italian chicken in a white cream sauce with spinach).
If you’re unfamiliar, Florentine Butter Chicken originated in Florence, Italy. And to put it very simply, it’s chicken breasts in golden browned butter. Some recipes I’ve seen are literally just three ingredients…chicken, flour, and butter. Other’s add an egg, some add lemon juice, but all very simple ingredients.
Florentine Butter Chicken is all about the butter, it’s meant to be simple. But trust me, just because this is simple does not mean it’s lacking in flavor…
Because anything in browned butter is always going to be delicious. Especially when summer tomatoes and herbs are added.
Here’s how to make this summery 20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken.
As you can imagine, this is pretty straight forward. You’ll need chicken breast cutlets and a good amount of butter. Dredge the chicken through a beaten egg and toss in flour to coat.
Once the chicken is prepped, start cooking the tomatoes. Cook them in olive oil with plenty of smashed garlic and fresh thyme until they just begin to char. Once the tomatoes are charring, slide them out of the skillet and cook the chicken.
Next, add the chicken to the pan with a bit of butter and pan-sear it. This allows the chicken to form a nice golden crust on the outside. Using thin chicken cutlets is key. The thin chicken cooks evenly and browns nicely in a short amount of time.
When you flip the chicken, add more butter, this time allowing it to get golden brown around the chicken. Once the chicken is crispy and the butter browned, remove the skillet from the heat. Next, add fresh lemon juice, mozzarella cheese, and then spoon those cherry tomatoes over top. Transfer the entire skillet to the oven and broil for a minute, just until the cheese is melted.
Serve the chicken topped with lots and lots of fresh basil. And done. Dinner in twenty, with very little effort.
The butter.
if you can find it, use cultured butter (sometimes referred to as European butter). Unlike traditional butter, Cultured Butter is fermented for 20 hours then churned to 82% butterfat. This provides the butter with an incredibly rich taste and a high smoke point, making it perfect for browning.
It’s also just delicious. It’s my favorite butter to use for both cooking and baking, I especially love Vermont Creamery’s Cultured Butter.
Some other notes for you…
If your grocery store does not carry chicken cutlets, as a swap, try asking your butcher to pound out chicken breasts for you. This is a super easy task to do at home, but truthfully…it’s just not that much fun. The butcher can quickly pound out the chicken and save you the trouble…and the mess.
Also, you can easily make this chicken piccata gluten-free by replacing the flour with almond flour. Or your favorite gluten-free flour blend (I like cup4cup).
For serving, I recommend my creamy cauliflower mash for a lighter summer side. Or make a quick angel hair pasta tossed with fresh basil and butter. Or if you’re looking to keep this super simple…just add some crusty bread!
It’s the perfect recipe to jump into easy summer cooking.
And most importantly, it’s just really good. The chicken soaks up all that delicious browned butter sauce. It’s perfectly seasoned with fresh thyme and lemon. And the tomatoes…they’re garlicky and juicy…and well, they taste like summer.
And when paired with this butter chicken…well it’s summer in a skillet and so mouth-watering!
Looking for other summer skillet recipes? Here are some favorites:
Skillet Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
One Skillet Cheesy Cuban Chicken Rice Bake
One Pot 30 minute Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake
Lastly, if you make this 20 minute florentine butter chicken with burst cherry tomatoes, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
20 Minute Florentine Butter Chicken with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 831 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour or use gluten free
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets (about 3/4 inch thick)
- kosher salt and pepper
- 10 tablespoons cold salted butter, cubed (see note)
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 ounces buffalo or regular mozzarella, torn
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the broiler. Place the egg and flour in separate shallow bowls. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides of the chicken through the egg, and then through the flour, tossing to coat. Place the chicken on a plate.3. In an oven safe skillet set over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the tomatoes, garlic, 1 tablespoon thyme, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the tomatoes begin to pop, about 4-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and transfer the tomatoes to a plate. 4. In the same skillet, melt together 4 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and cook until the bottom side is golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip the chicken and add 6 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon thyme, swirling the butter around the chicken. Cook, basting the chicken in butter until the chicken is cooked and golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. 5. Remove from the heat, add the mozzarella around the chicken. Spoon the tomatoes and lemon juice over top. Transfer to the oven, broil 1 minute, until the cheese is melted. Serve topped with lots of fresh basil. Enjoy!
Notes
Cultured Butter: If you can find it, use cultured butter. It's fermented for 20 hours then churned to 82% butterfat. This provides the butter with an incredibly rich taste and higher smoke point, making it ideal for browning. I love using Vermont Creamery's Cultured Butter.
Chicken adapted from Food and Wine.
This recipe was delicious! My husband always complains about having chicken for dinner, but he actually went back for seconds! I used 8 T. butter which was more than enough. Next time, I will cut that back even more. Super delicious!
Hey Megan,
Happy Monday!! 🍋🫐 I truly appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it was a hit! xT
This is actually my favorite recipe of yours! It’s my go to when i need to make something quick and delicious!! It’s seriously tastes like a fancy chicken parm which my hubby and kids love! 💛🙏
Hey Sue,
Happy Friday!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it and sharing your comment! xx
OMG – so easy, so delicious!! Will make this again soon!
Hey Lauren,
Happy Monday!! 🍁 Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xT
This is delicious!! I added onions and mushrooms to mine and it turned out amazing! Can’t wait to make it again tonight. Husband said it’s the best chicken I’ve ever made 😉
Hi Caralee,
Wonderful!🤩 I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xT
Delicious! Super lemony and tasty! Great way to use up some of those garden cherry tomatoes.
Hi Colleen,
Happy Monday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it:) xTieghan
Came out just like the picture and was delicious. I only used 5 T. butter and it was plenty for us. The chicken was cooked perfect and the tomatoes from the garden put it over the top! Thank you!
Hi Colleen,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it! Hope you’re off to a great Saturday! xT
Wow! What a delicious and simply recipe. This is everyone’s new favourite meal. We replaced the mozzarella with black pepper feta for a change, and it was amazing.
Hi Andrea,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out! xTieghan
Another HBH winner! I used homegrown tomatoes and basil, and the flavors were out of this world. Really appreciate how easy this one was. I didn’t even use the cheese (trying to keep dishes light) and I didn’t miss it at all. Will certainly make this again!
Hey Blayre,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for trying it out! Have a great weekend:)
So, yummy! Wouldn’t change a thing. Everyone cleaned their plates.. I paired it with lemon butter garlic pasta and asparagus!
Hey Brynn,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I’ve had butter chicken in Florence and it is delectable! Can’t wait to try this with the burst tomatoes!
Let me know how it turns out Melinda, I hope you love the recipe! xx
Excited to make this! Do you put the cheese on top of the chicken or just in the skillet around the chicken?
Hi Kate,
I just add the cheese around the skillet but you can totally put it on top too:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xx
This was delicoius – thanks!
Hey Stephanie,
Thanks for your comment and making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Hope you’re off to a great week! ? xT
My second time making this last night, and it’s been a winner both times! So easy and yummy, especially with that fresh melted mozzarella.
Hi Kelli,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a hit! xTieghan
My hubby is not a big fan of chicken, until I mad this! It was a huge hit with everyone (no leftovers) I only did 2 alterations, I didn’t use as much butter I used a total of 6 tablespoons, (because I didn’t have the cultured butter). I added some fresh organic sliced mushrooms with the tomatoes.
I will definitely be making this one again!
Hey Tammie,
Thanks so much for your comment and sharing your feedback! I am glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for trying it out! xTieghan
Love all the flavors of this dish. The only thing I’ll do differently next time is just omit the flour. After adding back the tomatoes (I did a little extra of them) I thought I’d probably just prefer it just cooked in the pan without a breading. After reading someone’s comment about doing the mashed cauliflower (minus the garlic) for a side, I made that too. Perfect side for the dish. Thanks for sharing your amazing creations!
Hi April,
Happy Wednesday!! I so appreciate you giving this recipe a try and love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your feedback:) xT