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Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata is a bright and elegant Italian-inspired dish featuring tender, golden-seared chicken in a buttery lemon-caper sauce. Bursting with zesty flavor and ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 2 large
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch for gluten-free version
  • 2.5 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Lemon-Caper Sauce
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter cut into small cubes
  • 0.66 cup dry white wine or chicken broth with a splash of vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp capers drained
  • 1.5 tsp finely chopped parsley plus more for garnish

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
    Slice each chicken breast into 3 smaller pieces. Pound between plastic wrap until ½ cm (¼ inch) thick for even cooking.
  2. Step 2: Season and Coat
    Drizzle chicken pieces with olive oil. Mix flour, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken lightly, shaking off excess.
  3. Step 3: Sear the Chicken
    Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in batches, cooking 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Set aside.
  4. Step 4: Make the Sauce
    Discard excess oil, leaving a light coating. Pour in wine (or broth) and simmer 3 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in lemon juice and cook 1 minute more.
  5. Step 5: Add Butter for Richness
    Reduce heat to low and swirl in butter cubes until melted and glossy. Avoid boiling to prevent separation.
  6. Step 6: Add Finishing Touches
    Stir in capers and parsley. Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over. Simmer 1 minute to coat thoroughly.
  7. Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
    Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley and lemon slices. Pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.

Notes

For a wine-free version, use chicken broth with a splash of vinegar or extra lemon juice. To thicken the sauce, simmer longer until it lightly coats a spoon. Avoid freezing as the sauce may separate. For gluten-free, replace flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free blend.