Description
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served with a tangy lemon, butter, and caper sauce. This quick and easy recipe delivers a bright, flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
Cooking
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp capers, rinsed
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with salt and black pepper. Then dredge each piece in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a light coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the floured chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and rinsed capers. Use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan to enhance the flavor. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, letting it reduce slightly.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them. Heat the chicken in the sauce for about 1 minute to allow it to absorb the flavors. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter until melted completely to create a silky and rich sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken to serving plates and generously spoon the lemon-butter caper sauce over the top. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Halving the chicken breasts lengthwise creates thinner pieces that cook evenly and quickly.
- Rinsing capers helps remove excess salt to balance the flavor in the sauce.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright and tangy flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
