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