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Chicken Picante

Chicken Picante

Chicken Picante is a vibrant Italian-American dish featuring tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts cooked quickly in a tangy tomato-based sauce enhanced with capers, Kalamata olives, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic herbs. This speedy, flavor-packed meal is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

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

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts, sliced thinly into cutlets or strips
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the boneless chicken breasts into thin strips or cutlets to ensure quick and even cooking. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  2. Build the Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the canned diced tomatoes, chicken broth, lemon juice, capers, and sliced Kalamata olives. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the pan to enhance the flavor.
  3. Simmer and Combine: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking and the flavors to meld.
  4. Finish and Garnish: Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately, spooning plenty of sauce over the chicken for maximum flavor.

Notes

  • Thinly slice the chicken to ensure fast and even cooking while maintaining tenderness.
  • Use fresh garlic and lemon juice to elevate the brightness and aroma of the sauce.
  • Don’t skip searing the chicken; it adds depth and richness to the dish.
  • Simmer the chicken gently on low heat to keep it moist and allow the sauce to thicken naturally.
  • Adjust the amounts of capers and olives to balance saltiness and tang to your preference.
  • For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or chopped chili peppers during the sauce step.
  • To make it vegetarian, substitute chicken with sautéed mushrooms or firm tofu.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: Chicken Picante, Italian-American chicken, quick chicken recipe, chicken with capers, tangy tomato chicken, weeknight dinners, gluten free chicken