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Easy Chicken Piccata

Easy Chicken Piccata

Easy Chicken Piccata is a quick and flavorful dinner recipe featuring tender boneless chicken breasts in a tangy lemon-caper sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this zesty dish combines bright citrus and briny capers for restaurant-quality elegance that’s simple enough for weeknight meals.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Coating

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend / almond flour for GF option)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Fats

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter (or additional olive oil for dairy-free)

Sauce

  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
  • ½ cup chicken stock or broth
  • 2 tbsp capers, drained
  • Fresh lemon slices, for garnish

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform, quick cooking. Season the flour with salt and pepper, then lightly dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess to avoid a thick coating.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside, keeping it warm.
  3. Make the Piccata Sauce: In the same skillet, add fresh lemon juice, chicken stock, and capers, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the sauce to a simmer, allowing it to reduce slightly and thicken.
  4. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the remaining butter to enrich the sauce and add a silky texture. Return the chicken to the pan briefly to coat it in the sauce and heat through.
  5. Plate and Garnish: Transfer the chicken to serving plates, spoon extra sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices for a vibrant, appealing presentation.

Notes

  • Pound chicken breasts gently to ensure even cooking.
  • Lightly dredging in flour helps create a tender crust and thickens the sauce.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright flavor.
  • Simmer sauce gently to avoid bitterness from the lemon.
  • Let cooked chicken rest a few minutes before serving to retain juices.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Searing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: chicken piccata, lemon chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, chicken with lemon sauce, capers recipe