Description
Zesty lemon chicken piccata simmers effortlessly in crockpots, bringing classic Italian flavors to home kitchens. Tender chicken breasts bathed in tangy sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with every comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings and Coating:
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) all-purpose flour
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 1 small onion, diced
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by generously seasoning both sides with salt and pepper, then dust lightly with flour, ensuring excess is shaken off to create a perfect golden crust.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until they develop a rich, golden-brown exterior. Transfer browned chicken to the slow cooker.
- In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
- Deglaze the skillet by adding chicken broth and lemon juice, incorporating capers if desired. Stir the mixture and allow it to simmer gently, creating a vibrant, tangy sauce.
- Pour the aromatic onion and lemon sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, strategically placing lemon slices on top to infuse additional citrus flavor.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, ensuring the chicken becomes supremely tender and fully cooked through.
- Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and arrange on a serving platter. Generously ladle the flavorful sauce over the chicken, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional lemon slices for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Flour with care to avoid clumping, ensuring a light, crispy coating that enhances the chicken’s texture without weighing it down.
- Sear chicken briefly to lock in juices and develop rich, caramelized flavors before slow cooking, preventing dry and bland meat.
- Select fresh lemons for maximum zesty brightness, as bottled juice can taste flat and compromise the bright piccata profile.
- Adjust cooking time based on chicken thickness; thinner breasts require less time to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, juicy results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg