Description
Easy Chicken Piccata is a quick and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a bright, buttery lemon and caper sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe balances zesty citrus, savory capers, and a rich sauce, making it a delicious yet simple meal to prepare and enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Coating
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour/cornstarch for gluten-free)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Sautéing
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- Additional 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for finishing sauce)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure quick and uniform cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast lightly in flour, shaking off any excess to prevent clumps.
- Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts carefully and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and add the capers. Stir the sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan to enrich the flavor.
- Finish Cooking: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir in an additional tablespoon of butter at the end to create a silky, rich sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken and sauce. Serve immediately, spooning plenty of the flavorful sauce over each piece.
Notes
- Ensure even chicken thickness by pounding to avoid undercooked centers or overcooked edges.
- Shake off excess flour after dredging to keep the sauce smooth.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best bright and tangy flavor.
- If sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add extra broth or lemon juice.
- Warm plates before serving to keep the dish hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken piccata, easy chicken recipe, lemon chicken, capers, quick dinner, gluten free, weeknight meal, Italian-American
