Amazing Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe You’ll Love

Succulent chicken piccata dances with bright, zesty flavors that promise a culinary adventure straight from Italian kitchens.

Bright citrus notes mingle effortlessly with tender medallions of perfectly seared meat.

Capers add unexpected bursts of briny excitement to each delectable bite.

Butter creates a luxurious backdrop that harmonizes all ingredients into a symphony of taste.

Mediterranean influences shine through this classic dish that feels both sophisticated and comfortingly familiar.

Simple ingredients come together in minutes, making this recipe perfect for weeknight elegance.

Savor every moment as you create this restaurant-quality meal that will become a cherished favorite in your home.

Chicken Piccata With Tangy Lemon and Tender Meat

• Savor Quick Weeknight Elegance: This chicken piccata transforms ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.
• Flavor Explosion in Every Bite: Zesty lemon sauce with briny capers delivers a tangy punch that elevates basic chicken breasts into a sophisticated, mouthwatering dish that delights taste buds.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Perfect for romantic dinners, family gatherings, or impressing last-minute guests, this recipe pairs beautifully with multiple side dishes like pasta, rice, or vegetables for complete meal flexibility.

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Ingredient Mix

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein base for the dish, best when boneless and skinless, tender and uniform in thickness.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers, freshly ground pepper provides more robust taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates golden crispy exterior, helps thicken sauce, standard pantry ingredient.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provide rich flavor and help achieve golden-brown chicken, butter adds creaminess.

• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base for sauce, adds depth of flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy flavor, freshly squeezed recommended.
• Capers: Small briny pickled flower buds, add signature piccata zesty profile.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds color and fresh herbal note, chopped just before serving.

• Pasta, Rice, Steamed Vegetables: Classic side dishes that complement the chicken piccata.

Chicken Piccata Instructions with Lemon Sauce

Step 1: Tenderize Chicken

Gently place chicken breasts between plastic wrap sheets.

Using a meat mallet, softly pound each piece until they’re uniformly thin and smooth.

Sprinkle salt and black pepper across both sides of the chicken.

Step 2: Coat Chicken

Lightly dust each chicken breast with flour, carefully shaking off extra powder to create a delicate, even coating.

Step 3: Sizzle Chicken

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature.

Once butter transforms into a golden liquid and pan feels hot, carefully add chicken breasts.

Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until achieving a beautiful golden-brown color and ensuring chicken is fully cooked.

Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 4: Create Zesty Sauce

In the same skillet, pour chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers.

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, using a wooden spoon to scrape delicious browned bits from pan bottom.

Allow sauce to reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Enrich Sauce

Reduce heat and gently stir in remaining butter.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return cooked chicken breasts back to skillet.

Lovingly spoon lemon sauce over each piece, allowing chicken to absorb flavors for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Present and Garnish

Transfer chicken to serving plates.

Generously drizzle remaining lemon sauce over chicken.

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top.

Serve immediately alongside pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.

Zesty Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Pointers

• Use all-purpose flour for a light, crispy coating that helps seal in the chicken's moisture and creates a beautiful golden-brown exterior.
• Tenderize chicken breasts to an exact 1/2-inch thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked spots.
• Use a combination of butter and olive oil for maximum flavor and a perfect golden-brown crust without burning the chicken.
• Adjust the lemon juice and capers to create a bright, tangy sauce that complements the chicken without overpowering it.
• Serve immediately after simmering the chicken in the sauce to maintain the crispy coating and prevent the meat from becoming soggy.

Reheat Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

• Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Refrigerated chicken piccata stays fresh for 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover the skillet to help retain moisture and heat the chicken evenly.
• Microwaving can make the chicken tough and rubbery. Stick to stovetop reheating for the best texture and taste.

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Complements

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the bright lemon sauce and cut through the richness of the buttery chicken.
• Serve Alongside Herbed Risotto: Create a creamy parmesan risotto with fresh herbs like thyme or basil to absorb the tangy lemon sauce and provide a luxurious textural contrast.
• Match with Roasted Asparagus: Prepare thin asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper, roasted until slightly crisp, which will provide a fresh, green counterpoint to the rich chicken dish.
• Select Light, Citrusy Salad: Toss a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmesan, and toasted pine nuts to echo the bright flavors of the chicken piccata and cleanse the palate.

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Add-Ons

• Gluten-Free Chicken Piccata: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil and use dairy-free margarine to create a lactose-free chicken piccata that's equally rich and flavorful.
• Mediterranean Version: Add chopped kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for an enhanced Mediterranean profile with deeper, more complex flavors.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip traditional flour coating and use crushed pork rinds or ground almonds as a crunchy, low-carbohydrate breading that keeps the dish protein-focused.

FAQs

• Why flour the chicken before cooking?

Dredging the chicken in flour creates a protective layer that helps seal in moisture, prevents sticking to the pan, and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust that adds texture and flavor to the dish.

• What do capers bring to the dish?

Capers provide a tangy, briny burst of flavor that cuts through the richness of the butter and complements the bright lemon sauce, adding complexity and depth to the chicken piccata.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, cut into the thickest part of the chicken – it should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well in this recipe. They have more fat content, which can make the meat more tender and flavorful. Just adjust cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through compared to chicken breasts.

Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty chicken piccata dances with tangy lemon sauce, creating a classic Italian-American harmony on your plate. Delicate chicken cutlets meet bright capers and buttery richness, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare chicken breasts by gently pounding them between plastic wrap until uniformly thin, creating an even surface for consistent cooking.
2. Season the flattened chicken with salt and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage on both sides.
3. Delicately coat each chicken piece with a light dusting of flour, carefully removing excess to prevent clumping during cooking.
4. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat, melting butter and olive oil together to create a flavorful cooking medium.
5. Carefully place floured chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown crust without overcrowding the pan.
6. Cook chicken for approximately 3-4 minutes per side, checking for a crisp exterior and ensuring complete internal doneness.
7. Remove perfectly seared chicken from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate, keeping warm.
8. Deglaze the same skillet by adding chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and briny capers, scraping up the flavorful browned bits.
9. Simmer the sauce, allowing it to reduce and concentrate the flavors for 2-3 minutes.
10. Reduce heat and incorporate the remaining butter, creating a silky, rich sauce with balanced acidity.
11. Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the vibrant lemon sauce and allowing them to absorb the flavors for 1-2 minutes.
12. Transfer chicken to serving plates, generously spooning the aromatic sauce over the top.
13. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and herbaceous flavor.
14. Serve immediately alongside complementary sides like pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken breasts gently to prevent tearing, using a meat mallet or rolling pin with steady, even pressure.
• Dredge chicken in flour right before cooking to maintain a crisp, golden coating that doesn’t become soggy.
• Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor profile, avoiding bottled alternatives that can taste flat.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or cornstarch for the same crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg