Description
Succulent chicken piccata delivers a zesty Italian classic with tangy lemon and buttery capers dancing across perfectly seared chicken. Crisp flavors and elegant simplicity make this dish a perfect weeknight dinner you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup capers
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Serving Accompaniments:
- Mashed potatoes
- Asparagus
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by generously seasoning both surfaces with salt and pepper, creating a flavor foundation for the dish.
- Spread flour on a flat surface and delicately coat each chicken breast, ensuring excess flour is gently shaken off to achieve a light, crispy exterior.
- Warm olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the mixture becomes shimmering and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Carefully place floured chicken breasts into the hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth and crispness while preparing the sauce.
- Utilize the same skillet to create the sauce, pouring in chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and drained capers while scraping accumulated browned bits from the pan.
- Simmer sauce ingredients for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and reduce slightly, creating a vibrant and tangy liquid.
- Incorporate remaining butter into the sauce, stirring until it melts completely and the sauce develops a slightly thickened consistency.
- Gently return chicken breasts to the skillet, allowing them to absorb the sauce’s flavors for approximately one minute.
- Plate the chicken, generously drizzling the sauce over the top and garnishing with finely chopped fresh parsley for a bright, elegant presentation.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is pounded evenly to about 1/2-inch thickness for consistent cooking and tender texture.
- Use fresh lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to bottled alternatives.
- Pat chicken completely dry before flouring to achieve maximum golden-brown crispy exterior.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet when cooking chicken to maintain proper heat and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg