This rooster paillard recipe makes tender, golden cutlets with a tangy pan sauce that tastes prefer it’s straight out of a French bistro. Prepared in simply 25 minutes, it’s the proper deliciously straightforward dinner thought for any evening of the week.
When you’re on the lookout for a recipe that claims, “I do know what I’m doing within the kitchen,” I’ve bought two phrases: rooster paillard. This traditional French recipe is elegantly easy and one of many prime recipes I pull out once I wish to impress family and friends.
I first had this dish with Alex at a French restaurant close to out home, and it was so completely taste packed I needed to attempt create my very own model. The tender cutlets are bathed in a tangy, savory sauce that may have you ever wish to lick your plate! Serve it with an arugula salad and it’s the best subtle but straightforward dinner.
What makes excellent rooster paillard
Hen paillard represents the essence of French cooking: high-quality substances handled with respect. “Paillard” truly means “scallop” in French, referring to the rooster’s flattened form. The pounding method makes for fast cooking, leading to a superbly browned cutlet with tender, juicy inside.
In my recipe testing, I discovered that correct rooster paillard relies on three vital components: the appropriate reduce of rooster, pounding to even thickness all through, and high-heat cooking for the proper golden crust.
Professional Tip: I like to begin with natural rooster breasts when doable. The distinction in taste and texture is noticeable!
Important substances
Like all good French recipe, rooster paillard is all about high quality of substances. Right here’s what you’ll must know:
Hen breast is the muse. I like natural, boneless skinless breasts that weigh about 6 to eight ounces every. In case your retailer sells pre-cut cutlets, these work completely too.
Stone floor mustard makes the sauce’s spine. Its coarse texture and tangy chunk distinguish this from odd pan sauces.
Dry white wine provides brightness. I exploit no matter bottle I like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay (then serve with the meal). Hen inventory substitutes nicely as an alcohol-free choice.
Contemporary garlic and shallots create fragrant depth. Jarred garlic typically tastes bitter in pan sauces, so I like to recommend sticking with recent cloves.
Apple cider vinegar supplies delicate acidity that balances the richness. Only a splash makes every part style extra vibrant!
Salted butter finishes the sauce with luxurious richness. Use olive oil if you happen to’re trying to adhere to the Mediterranean food regimen. (I usually use butter right here because it’s a small amount.)
5 star reader evaluate
“My oh my the flavour right here is so good! The rooster was juicy but agency. After which the sauce: I might drink this sauce out of a cup! Unbelievable taste and simple to make.” -Tanvee

The way to butterfly andpound rooster for paillard
An important a part of rooster paillard is the “paillard” half: forming the rooster into skinny cutlets so that they cook dinner evenly. Historically rooster paillard is pounded in order that it comes out tender. Right here’s what to do to butterfly a rooster breast and pound it earlier than cooking:
Serving concepts to make it a meal
In French bistros, rooster paillard is usually served with an arugula salad, because it provides a pleasant recent counterpoint to the savory rooster. Listed below are a few of our favourite easy methods to serve it:
Storage and reheating tips
Leftover rooster paillard shops nicely refrigerated for as much as three days. For reheating, I favor the stovetop: heat the rooster gently in a lined skillet over low warmth with with the sauce. This maintains the feel higher than microwaving, which may make the rooster powerful.
Dietary notes
This rooster paillard recipe is gluten-free. For dairy-free, use olive oil or vegan butter.
Continuously requested questions
The rooster is cooked when it reaches an inner temperature of 165°F. You may also verify if it’s cooked by means of by making a small reduce within the thickest a part of the rooster and making certain it’s now not pink.
Completely! A easy pan sauce with lemon, butter, and herbs is a traditional pairing. You may also get artistic with different sauces, akin to a creamy mushroom sauce or a tomato-based sauce.
It’s greatest to cook dinner rooster paillard simply earlier than serving for optimum texture and taste. Nevertheless, you possibly can pound the rooster breasts forward of time and retailer them within the fridge till able to cook dinner. Leftovers retailer refrigerated as much as 3 days.
Hen Paillard
It’s surprisingly easy to make rooster paillard that tastes prefer it’s straight out of a French bistro! It comes out tender and bathed in a tangy pan sauce—an ideal dish for simple weeknight dinners or impressing buddies. Everybody all the time desires seconds!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: quarter-hour
- Complete Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Class: Principal dish
- Technique: Stovetop
- Delicacies: French
- Food plan: Gluten Free
- 2 boneless skinless rooster breasts or 4 cutlets (1 to 1 ½ kilos, natural if doable)*
- 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly floor black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 shallot, minced (or 3 tablespoons minced yellow onion)
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon stone floor mustard (or Dijon mustard)
- ½ cup dry white wine or rooster inventory
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (or olive oil or vegan butter)
- Finely chopped recent parsley, for garnish (non-obligatory)
- Pat the rooster dry with a paper towel. If utilizing breasts, slice them in half horizontally (if you happen to purchased cutlets, skip this step). If desired, place the rooster cutlets between two items of plastic wrap and place them on a reducing board. Utilizing a mallet or heavy skillet, pound them to an excellent 1/4” thickness.
- Sprinkle the rooster on all sides with the kosher salt (utilizing as much as 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt when you’ve got 1 ½ kilos rooster) and black pepper.
- Add the olive oil to a big skillet and warmth over medium warmth. Add the rooster and cook dinner for 3 to five minutes per facet, till browned on either side. When the interior temperature is 165°F, or the middle is now not pink, take away to a platter.
- In the identical skillet, cut back the warmth to low and add the minced garlic and shallot. Cook dinner for about 1 minute, till the garlic is aromatic, then stir within the apple cider vinegar, mustard, and white wine (or rooster inventory). Deliver to a boil, scraping up the brown bits from the pan for further taste.
- Cut back to a simmer, then add the butter. Simmer till thickened barely, about 2 minutes.
- Serve heat, drizzling the sauce over the rooster. If desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley to garnish. Leftovers retailer as much as 3 days refrigerated.
My favourite rooster dinners
This rooster paillard recipe is one other star in our favourite rooster dinner concepts.
Strive our pan seared rooster with herbs, tarragon rooster for one more French-inspired dinner, or rooster piccata for Italian aptitude.
My air fryer rooster breast is a fast household favourite! These baked rooster thighs, grilled rooster thighs or grilled rooster breast recipes are different repeats I’ve made dozens of instances.
Once you need one thing totally different, a rooster Caesar wrap makes glorious lunches, and each me and my children love these do-it-yourself rooster nuggets.
