Description
A classic Italian-American dish, Chicken Piccata features tender boneless chicken breasts sautéed and served with a tangy lemon-caper sauce. Quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, this dish combines bright citrus flavors with savory capers and a buttery sauce, making it perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or an elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season and dredge the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece lightly in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a light coating.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the hot oil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they develop a golden crust and are fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Create the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and drained capers. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly and intensify in flavor.
- Finish cooking the chicken in the sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them to coat well. Let simmer together for about 2 minutes to meld the flavors and heat the chicken through.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts, spoon the lemon-caper sauce generously over each one, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before dredging for uniform cooking.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.
- You can substitute lemon juice with fresh lemon slices for a more pronounced citrus aroma.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content.
- Fresh parsley adds a fresh, bright flavor; feel free to adjust the quantity to taste.
