Description
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, lightly floured chicken cutlets pan-seared to golden perfection and served in a bright, tangy sauce made from lemon juice, capers, and white wine or chicken broth. Enhanced with butter and fresh parsley, this dish offers a perfect balance of acidity and richness, making it an easy yet elegant meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved horizontally to make 4 cutlets)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup capers (drained and rinsed)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound the chicken cutlets to an even thickness if needed. Season the flour with salt and pepper, then dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour, shaking off the excess to ensure a light coating.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the white wine or chicken broth along with the fresh lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan to infuse flavor. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until it slightly reduces.
- Add capers and finish the sauce: Stir in the capers and the remaining tablespoon of butter, allowing it to melt into the sauce for a silky texture.
- Combine and warm through: Return the cooked chicken cutlets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let everything simmer together for 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is warmed through and well coated with the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately with your choice of side dishes.
Notes
- Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a side of sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end of cooking.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if substituting for white wine to reduce sodium content.
