Description
This easy Chicken Piccata recipe features tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served in a zesty lemon-caper sauce. A classic Italian dish that comes together in just 20 minutes, perfect for a quick yet elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
Sauce
- 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
Fat for Cooking
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
Garnish
- Flat-leaf parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the lemon: Slice the lemon in half, juice one half, and cut the other half into very thin ⅛-inch slices. Set aside for use in the sauce and garnish.
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and slice each breast in half lengthwise to create thin cutlets. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dredge each cutlet in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess flour to avoid clumping.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add four pieces of chicken at a time and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a platter or sheet pan and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining chicken cutlets.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the chicken broth or white wine (or a mix of both), the freshly squeezed lemon juice, sliced lemon pieces, and capers. Scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan and let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and develop flavor.
- Finish the sauce and serve: Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter until the sauce is smooth and glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon the sauce over the cooked chicken breasts and garnish with flat-leaf parsley if desired. Serve immediately with your choice of mashed potatoes, polenta, noodles, or cauliflower.
Notes
- Keep cooked chicken warm while making the sauce by plating on a platter and covering with foil or placing in a 200°F oven.
- Use chicken broth or white wine based on your preference; a combination of both adds a nice balance of flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Serve with starches or vegetables that complement the bright, lemony sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: chicken, chicken piccata, lemon chicken, Italian main course, easy dinner
