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Morton's Steakhouse Chicken Christopher (Copycat)

Crispy golden pan-fried chicken breasts topped with a rich, velvety garlic butter sauce — a steakhouse-quality dinner ready in 35 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 640

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large chicken breasts butterflied and pounded thin to even thickness
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter for frying
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter 1 stick; European-style recommended for richest flavor
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour for the sauce
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 pinch salt for the sauce, to taste

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • small saucepan
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the butterflied, pounded chicken breasts in the mixture and shake off any excess for a thin, even coat.
  2. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter foams and the foam subsides, add the chicken. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until deep golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the stick of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown — keep the heat low to maintain a sweet, aromatic flavor.
  4. Stir in the fresh parsley, then whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to eliminate the raw flour taste.
  5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice while whisking constantly. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is smooth, velvety, and thick enough to coat a spoon. Season with a pinch of salt.
  6. Place the crispy chicken on a serving platter and spoon the warm Christopher sauce generously over the top. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftover chicken for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Store sauce separately. Reheating: Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore crispness. Reheat sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of chicken broth, whisking to recombine. Avoid microwaving the breaded chicken. Make-ahead: Sauce is best made fresh but can be kept warm over very low heat for up to 1 hour. Do not freeze the sauce. Tips: Use European-style butter for the richest sauce. Keep garlic heat low to prevent bitterness. Pound chicken evenly for consistent cooking. Add broth slowly while whisking to avoid lumps. Variation: Double the sauce and serve over angel hair pasta. Swap chicken for large shrimp (3-4 min cook time). For keto, skip the dredge and thicken sauce with heavy cream instead of flour.