Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is a classic Italian-American dish that combines tender, pan-fried chicken breasts with a tangy, buttery lemon sauce. Known for its bright, fresh flavors and simple ingredients, this dish is both light and satisfying, making it a popular choice for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or when you’re craving a quick yet impressive meal. The chicken is beautifully seared to golden perfection, and the lemon sauce with capers adds a savory and slightly tart finish that ties everything together.

Whether you’re a beginner cook or an experienced home chef, Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is easy to prepare and delivers restaurant-quality results. The combination of crispy chicken, rich sauce, and zesty lemon creates a balance of flavors that will leave you coming back for more. This step-by-step guide walks you through each part of the recipe, from prepping the chicken to creating the perfect lemon caper sauce, ensuring that you achieve a delicious, flavorful dish every time.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce

• Simple, Fresh Ingredients: With just a few key ingredients—chicken, lemon, capers, butter, and flour—this recipe lets the natural flavors shine through, creating a light and flavorful meal.
• Zesty and Bright Flavors: The lemon sauce adds a burst of freshness and a touch of tang, perfectly balancing the savory flavors of the chicken.
• Quick and Easy to Make: Despite the gourmet taste, Chicken Piccata is a quick and easy dish that can be ready in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious but don’t have a lot of time.
• Versatile: This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes such as pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. It’s versatile enough for both casual weeknight meals and special occasions.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving, depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 350-400 kcal
• Fat: 16-18g
• Carbohydrates: 10-12g
• Protein: 38-40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2-3g

Ingredients

For the Chicken Piccata:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Special Equipment

While making Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce doesn’t require specialized tools, having the following items will make the process smoother and help you achieve the best results:

1. Large Skillet or Pan: A large skillet allows you to cook the chicken breasts evenly and gives you enough space to prepare the sauce afterward without overcrowding the pan.
2. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements of ingredients like lemon juice, chicken broth, and capers are essential to creating the perfect sauce.
3. Zester or Grater: A zester or fine grater can be useful if you want to zest some lemon peel to garnish your dish for an added citrus kick.
4. Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: A meat mallet or rolling pin can help you evenly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
5. Tongs or Spatula: These are essential for flipping the chicken and handling it while it cooks, ensuring the pieces don’t fall apart.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken Breasts

Start by preparing the chicken breasts. If the chicken breasts are particularly thick, slice them horizontally into two thinner pieces to help them cook more evenly and quickly. Alternatively, you can use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch thick). This will help the chicken cook faster and more uniformly.

Once the chicken breasts are prepared, pat them dry with paper towels. This helps ensure that the flour will adhere better to the chicken and creates a crispier crust when fried. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Dredge the Chicken in Flour

Place the flour in a shallow dish or plate. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, coating it evenly on both sides. Shake off any excess flour to avoid clumps and ensure that the chicken has a thin, even layer of flour. This step helps create a crisp crust when the chicken is cooked.

3. Cook the Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.

After the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Tent the chicken with foil to keep it warm while you prepare the lemon sauce.

4. Make the Lemon Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan, allowing it to melt and combine with any leftover bits of chicken that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. These bits are packed with flavor and will enhance the sauce.

Add the lemon juice and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring to combine. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any flavorful brown bits that may be stuck. Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens.

5. Add the Capers

Once the sauce has reduced, add the capers to the pan and stir to combine. Capers are a key ingredient in chicken piccata, providing a salty, briny flavor that perfectly complements the bright lemon sauce. Stir the sauce gently to ensure the capers are evenly distributed.

6. Finish the Sauce and Serve

Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the sauce, stirring until it melts and the sauce becomes silky smooth.

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Allow the chicken to warm through for a minute or two, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley for color and a fresh, herby flavor.

Serve the chicken piccata with lemon sauce immediately, and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce

• Pound the Chicken Evenly: Ensuring the chicken is of even thickness helps it cook more evenly and prevents overcooking. Pounding the chicken breasts with a meat mallet or rolling pin is key for achieving this.
• Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice will give your sauce a brighter, fresher flavor compared to bottled lemon juice. It’s worth the extra step for a more authentic taste.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches. This ensures that the chicken sears properly and doesn’t steam.
• Adjust the Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few more minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency. For a thinner sauce, add a little more chicken broth.
• Customize the Flavor: Feel free to experiment with the flavors by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or a few cloves of garlic to the sauce for extra depth.

Variations of Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce

• Chicken Piccata with White Wine: For a more complex flavor, add 1/4 cup of dry white wine to the sauce after deglazing the pan with the chicken broth. Allow the wine to reduce before adding the capers.
• Chicken Piccata with Mushrooms: Add a handful of sliced mushrooms to the skillet before making the sauce. Sauté the mushrooms in the pan with the chicken drippings to enhance the flavor of the sauce.
• Gluten-Free Chicken Piccata: Use gluten-free flour (like rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend) for dredging the chicken to make this recipe gluten-free. Ensure that the breadcrumbs you use for a side dish (if any) are also gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Piccata: Substitute chicken breasts with thick slices of eggplant or zucchini for a vegetarian version of Chicken Piccata. The eggplant will absorb the lemony sauce and become tender and delicious.

Storage and Shelf Life

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers for later use. Once the dish has cooled, transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave the chicken, but the sauce may lose some of its texture. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up when reheating.

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce. Transfer the chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm gently in a skillet.

Side Dishes and Pairings for Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce

Pair this bright, flavorful dish with a variety of sides to create a well-rounded meal:

• Pasta: Serve the chicken piccata over a bed of spaghetti, angel hair pasta, or linguine for a classic Italian pairing.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or green beans complement the fresh flavors of the piccata and add a nutritious element to the meal.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a perfect base for soaking up the delicious lemon sauce.
• Rice Pilaf: A light, fluffy rice pilaf makes a great accompaniment to the lemony sauce and pairs well with the chicken.

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Conclusion

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and buttery flavors that come together to create a comforting and satisfying meal. Whether you’re preparing it for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is simple to make but delivers impressive results. The bright lemon sauce and capers elevate the tender chicken to a new level, making it a dish you’ll want to make again and again. Serve it with your favorite side dishes, and you’ve got a meal that’s both delicious and elegant. Enjoy the bright, fresh flavors of this classic dish!