Scallopine in Lemon-Caper Sauce (Scaloppine Piccata)

2 lemons

1 1/2 lbs. thin sliced, boneless skinless chicken breasts

all purpose flour

6 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

6 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic peeled and minced

10 large green olives, cut into strips

1/4 cup small capers

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 cup chicken stock

2 tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

salt and pepper to taste 

Squeeze the juice from one and a half of the lemons and reserve.  Lay the remaining half lemon flat side down and cut into very thin slices with a paring knife.  Remove the pits and set the lemon slices aside.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  Dredge in flour to coat both sides lightly and tap off excess flour. Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a wide, heavy skillet over medium heat until the butter is foaming.  Add as many of the cutlets as will fit in the pan without touching and cook until golden brown on the underside, about 3 minutes.  Flip and cook until the second side is lightly browned, about two minutes.  Remove and drain on paper towels.  Repeat with remaining chicken cutlets.

Remove all the cutlets from the pan.  pour off the fat and carefully wipe out the pan with a wad of paper towels.  Pour in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter; the garlic and lemon slices.  Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan, until the garlic is golden brown, about 3 minutes.  Scoop out the lemon slices and set aside.  Scatter the olives and capers into the pan and cook, stirring gently, until they begin to sizzle, about 4 minutes.  Pour in the wine, bring to a vigorous boil, and cook until the wine is reduced in volume by half.  Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, and cook until slightly syrupy, about 4 minutes.  Add the reserved lemon juice, to taste.  Return the chicken to the pan, turning the cutlets into the sauce until they are warmed through and coated with sauce.  Swirl in the parsley and divide the scallopine among warm plates.  Spoon the sauce over them, including some of the capers and olives in each spoonful.  Decorate the tops of the scallopine with the reserved lemon slices.