Description
A classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts in a tangy lemon-butter-caper sauce. This foolproof Chicken Piccata recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for an elegant yet quick dinner that impresses every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
Cooking fat and sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pound Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness of about ½ inch, ensuring even cooking.
- Season and Coat: Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess to create a light coating.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from the skillet for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Capers and Meld Flavors: Stir in the rinsed capers and continue simmering for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors well.
- Reheat Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to reheat and allow the chicken to absorb the tangy sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken piccata to a serving platter, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately with your favorite sides like pasta or vegetables.
Notes
- Using a meat mallet to pound the chicken ensures even cooking and tender texture.
- Rinsing capers removes excess salt for a balanced sauce flavor.
- Feel free to substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour for dietary needs.
- Serve with a side of angel hair pasta or steamed vegetables to complement the bright lemon sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Chicken Piccata, Easy Chicken Dinner, Lemon Chicken, Capers, Quick Dinner, Italian-American Recipe
