Dinner

The BEST Chicken Piccata Recipe

Name: The BEST Chicken Piccata Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 1 lemon (half juiced, half sliced into ⅛″ slices); 1 cup chicken broth or white wine, or a combination of both; 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed; 3 tablespoons butter, divided; 2 tablespoons canola oil; Flat-leaf parsley, for serving (optional)

Byanna orden February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

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Introduction

Chicken Piccata is a bright and flavorful Italian dish featuring tender chicken breasts in a zesty lemon-caper sauce. This recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels special.

The image shows a silver pan filled with seven pieces of golden-brown cooked chicken breast, each with a slightly crispy texture on the surface. Scattered on top of the chicken are small dark green capers and small bits of chopped green herbs. Between the chicken pieces, there are thin slices of bright yellow lemon wedges with translucent centers. The pan rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lemon
1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup chicken broth or white wine, or a combination of both
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
Flat-leaf parsley, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Slice the lemon in half and juice one half. Cut the other half into ⅛″ slices and set aside.
Step 2: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and slice each breast in half lengthwise to create two thin cutlets. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper, then dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.
Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons butter with the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 pieces of chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chicken broth or wine (or a mix of both), lemon juice, lemon slices, and capers to the skillet. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan and cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Spoon the sauce over the chicken cutlets and garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve immediately with your choice of mashed potatoes, polenta, noodles, or cauliflower.

Tips & Variations

Keep cooked chicken warm by covering it on a platter with foil or placing it in a low oven (200°F) while making the sauce.
For extra richness, finish the sauce with a splash of heavy cream.
Substitute lemon slices with fresh lemon zest to avoid bitterness from the peel.

Storage

Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid drying out the chicken, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

A white pan filled with nine pieces of golden brown cooked chicken breast arranged closely, each piece showing crispy, slightly charred texture on top. Scattered over and under the chicken are small green capers and several thin yellow lemon slices adding contrast. The chicken is glistening with a light sauce that pools slightly at the bottom, and small green herb bits are sprinkled evenly over the dish. The setting includes a white marbled surface beneath the pan creating a clean and bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?

For best results, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into thin cutlets. Bone-in pieces will require longer cooking times and may not cook evenly in this quick method.

What can I serve with chicken piccata?

Chicken piccata pairs well with mashed potatoes, polenta, noodles, or steamed vegetables like cauliflower or green beans. The sauce is perfect for spooning over any of these sides.