If you love the brightness of lemon paired with tender, juicy chicken, then the Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe is destined to become one of your favorite meals. This dish effortlessly blends zesty lemon, briny capers, and a silky buttery sauce that simmers gently over hours, making the chicken incredibly flavorful and tender. The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity and how the slow cooker does most of the work so you can come home to a plate full of comforting elegance without any stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this beautiful Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients that are straightforward but essential. Each plays its role perfectly—flour helps achieve a light crust on the chicken, lemon juice brightens up the sauce, and capers add that signature tangy punch that makes this dish stand out.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star of the dish, providing tender, lean protein.
- 1/4 cup flour: For lightly coating the chicken to help the sauce thicken and add a subtle crust.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the chicken and the sauce.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds mild seasoning and a touch of warmth.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Used to lightly brown the chicken, boosting flavor through caramelization.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth: Creates the savory base of the luscious sauce.
- 1/2 cup dry white wine: Adds depth and a subtle fruity acidity to the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Provides that unmistakable fresh lemon tang that defines piccata.
- 2 tablespoons capers: Tiny bursts of tangy, salty flavor that elevate every bite.
- 2 tablespoons butter: Enriches the sauce with creaminess and smooth texture.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbaceous notes.
- Lemon slices, for garnish: Bright and beautiful, with an extra lemony aroma.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by mixing the flour, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. This simple flour coating is crucial because it not only adds a delicate crust but also helps thicken the sauce later on. Dredge each chicken breast evenly in the mixture, making sure both sides are covered for maximum flavor and texture.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Next, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until they develop a lovely golden crust. This step adds complexity to the flavor, as the caramelized bits will also enrich the sauce.
Step 3: Transfer to Crockpot
Once browned, carefully transfer the chicken breasts to your crockpot. This slow cooker is going to work its magic, gently infusing the meat with the piquant piccata sauce as it simmers away.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
Using the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth, dry white wine, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while scraping up those delicious browned bits left by the chicken. This flavorful base is what turns a simple sauce into a showstopper.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Pour the hot sauce over the chicken in the crockpot and scatter the capers on top. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and soak up all those bright, savory flavors that make this Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe so special.
Step 6: Finish the Sauce
When the chicken is perfectly cooked, remove it from the crockpot and place it on a serving dish. Stir butter into the piccata sauce left behind in the crockpot, letting it melt into a silky finish. Pour the luscious sauce over the chicken, then garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices to add a burst of color and zing.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishing, fresh parsley and lemon slices are absolute necessities. They not only enhance the visual appeal but boost the fresh lemon aroma and add a slight herbal brightness that balances the richness of the butter and the tang from capers.
Side Dishes
Chicken Piccata pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Simple buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta soak up that piccata sauce beautifully. Steamed asparagus or green beans offer a crisp, fresh counterpoint to the silky chicken, making the meal feel balanced and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress? Plate the chicken atop a bed of angel hair pasta tossed lightly in olive oil and garlic to create an elegant yet comforting presentation. Drizzle extra sauce over the top and sprinkle chopped parsley liberally. Adding a wedge of lemon on the side allows guests to add an extra citrus punch as they like.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers just as tasty as the first serving.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the chicken and sauce separately, if possible, in freezer-safe containers. This dish freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave at medium power to prevent drying out the chicken. Covering the dish while warming helps retain moisture and keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and will be even more tender and flavorful as they have a bit more fat. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if needed.
Do I have to brown the chicken before putting it in the crockpot?
While it’s technically possible to skip browning, taking the extra few minutes to brown the chicken adds so much flavor and a lovely texture that elevates the whole dish.
Can I substitute white wine with something else?
If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with extra chicken broth and a teaspoon of white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar to maintain the brightness and acidity.
Are capers essential to this recipe?
Capers provide that signature salty, briny bite that defines piccata sauce, so they are highly recommended. However, if unavailable, chopped green olives can serve as a tangy alternative.
Can I double the recipe for a larger group?
Yes, this recipe scales well. Just be mindful of your crockpot size and adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the chicken cooks evenly throughout.
Final Thoughts
There is something so rewarding about coming home to a warm, fragrant meal like this Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe. It feels fancy without fuss and delivers bright, comforting flavors that everyone will adore. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become a beloved staple in your week’s dinner rotation.
Print
Crockpot Chicken Piccata Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Crockpot Chicken Piccata recipe is a delightful and easy slow-cooked dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts in a tangy lemon caper sauce. The chicken is first browned for extra flavor, then slow-cooked to perfection in a savory mixture of chicken broth, white wine, and lemon juice, topped with butter and fresh parsley. Ideal for a comforting family meal, this recipe requires minimal hands-on time while delivering classic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, coating both sides evenly.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the coated chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden-brown crust.
- Transfer to Crockpot: Place the browned chicken breasts into the crockpot, arranging them evenly.
- Prepare the Sauce: Using the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth, dry white wine, and lemon juice. Simmer the mixture over medium heat, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet to add flavor.
- Slow Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle the capers on top. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Finish the Sauce: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and place them onto a serving dish. Stir the butter into the sauce remaining in the crockpot to melt and enrich it. Pour this sauce over the chicken, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- Use dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for the best flavor.
- Be sure to brown the chicken before slow cooking to enhance the taste and texture.
- If you don’t have a crockpot, this recipe can also be adapted for slow cooking in an oven-safe dish at 300°F for about 2 hours.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
