Description
This easy and delicious Chicken Piccata recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a zesty lemon, caper, and white wine sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect stovetop Italian-American main course that pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables, offering a delightful balance of bright flavors and satisfying protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup capers, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the halved chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Dredge in flour: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess to avoid clumps.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Then add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it reduce slightly for 3–5 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Finish the sauce and combine: Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter to enrich the sauce. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over it, and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to heat everything through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken, garnish with lemon slices if desired, and serve immediately over pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Serve this Chicken Piccata over pasta, rice, or with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- If using wine, opt for a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the lemony sauce.
