Zesty Lemon-Kissed Chicken Piccata Recipe for Dinner Magic

Tangy lemons burst with brightness in this classic chicken piccata recipe that promises a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Delicate chicken breasts get dredged in a light, golden coating that delivers incredible flavor and texture.

Every bite blends zesty citrus with rich, buttery notes that dance across your palate.

The simple yet sophisticated sauce combines white wine, capers, and fresh lemon juice into a silky masterpiece.

Professional chefs adore this dish for its elegant simplicity and quick preparation time.

Crisp, tender chicken meets a luxurious sauce that turns an ordinary dinner into a memorable culinary experience.

You’ll love how effortlessly this recipe comes together for an impressive weeknight meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 3

Chicken Piccata Ingredient List

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main structure of the dish, choose fresh, high-quality breasts with minimal fat for tender results.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential flavor enhancers that create a robust seasoning profile, use freshly ground pepper for maximum taste intensity.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides a crispy golden exterior and helps thicken the sauce, sift for smoother coating.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Create rich, golden searing and provide luxurious depth, use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce, select low-sodium for balanced seasoning.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Introduces bright, tangy notes that cut through richness, use fresh lemons for most vibrant flavor.
• Capers: Delivers briny, salty punch that elevates the entire dish, rinse before using to reduce excessive saltiness.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious sauce texture, can substitute with half-and-half for lighter version.

• Fresh Parsley, Parmesan Cheese: Adds fresh herbal notes and salty complexity, chop parsley just before serving for maximum brightness.

Cooking Tools for Making Chicken Piccata

• Large cutting board: For slicing chicken safely and cleanly.
• Sharp chef's knife: To butterfly and trim chicken breasts precisely.
• Measuring spoons: For accurate seasoning with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the piccata sauce.
• Tongs: Perfect for flipping and moving chicken in the pan.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: To stir and scrape browned bits from skillet.
• Zester or grater: For extracting fresh lemon zest.
• Plate: To hold cooked chicken temporarily.
• Measuring cups: For precise liquid measurements of broth and cream.

How to Make Tangy and Tender Chicken Piccata

• Chicken Preparation

Carefully butterfly chicken breasts and slice into thin, even cutlets. Trim away extra fat and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Lightly coat each piece in flour.

• Searing

Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet until sizzling. Cook chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Move cooked chicken to a warm plate.

• Sauce Creation

Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, bright lemon juice, and zesty lemon zest. Scrape up delicious browned bits from the skillet bottom. Stir in capers and rich cream.

• Final Simmer

Return chicken to the pan and let it bubble gently in the creamy sauce. Cook until chicken is perfectly tender and sauce reaches a silky consistency. Add extra broth if sauce becomes too thick.

• Serving

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and optional parmesan cheese. Plate immediately while sauce is warm and inviting. Pair with pasta or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Chicken Piccata Tips for Sauce and Chicken Perfection

• Swap chicken breasts for turkey or pork cutlets for a delightful protein variation that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, tangier version that cuts down on calories without sacrificing flavor.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, basil, or oregano to add depth and complexity to the classic piccata sauce, creating a personalized culinary experience.
• Use cornstarch or almond flour instead of traditional wheat flour for dredging, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this delicious meal without compromise.
• Butterfly and pound the chicken cutlets ahead of time, storing them between parchment paper in the refrigerator to streamline your cooking process and save precious weeknight minutes.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Piccata

• Pasta Paradise: Serve this zesty chicken piccata over a bed of perfectly cooked linguine or angel hair pasta, allowing the rich, tangy sauce to coat each strand.
• Mediterranean Plate: Create a vibrant plate with roasted asparagus or green beans on the side, complementing the bright lemon flavors and adding a pop of color to your meal.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Pair with crusty artisan bread or garlic toast to soak up the delectable sauce, ensuring not a single drop goes to waste and adding a delightful texture contrast.
• Wine Country Pairing: Enhance the dining experience with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, which beautifully balances the lemony, buttery notes of the chicken piccata.

Store Chicken Piccata for Lunches or Dinner

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce separate to maintain the best texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Carefully wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These meals can stay frozen for 2-3 weeks without losing their delicious flavor profile.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Avoid microwave reheating, which can toughen the delicate chicken and separate the creamy sauce.
• Prep-Ahead Magic: Slice and season chicken cutlets up to 24 hours in advance. Store them between layers of parchment paper in the refrigerator, covered tightly. This trick saves precious cooking time during busy weeknights and helps marinades develop deeper flavors.

Tangy Chicken Piccata Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Zesty chicken piccata offers a tangy Mediterranean-inspired dish with lemon, capers, and butter sauce. Culinary enthusiasts appreciate its simple elegance and quick preparation that brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to home kitchens.

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Ingredients

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• 2 chicken breasts (large)
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Flour (for dredging)
• 4 tbsps (56 g) butter, divided
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 mL) chicken broth
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp (15 g) brined capers, drained
• ½ cup (120 mL) heavy/whipping cream
• Chopped parsley
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Butterfly chicken breasts horizontally, creating 4 uniform cutlets, and trim excess fat for even cooking.
2. Seasoning: Generously coat cutlets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
3. Flouring: Delicately dredge seasoned cutlets in flour, gently shaking off surplus coating for a light, crisp exterior.
4. Searing: Warm a skillet over medium-high heat, blending butter and olive oil until the mixture becomes aromatic and shimmering, then carefully place floured chicken to develop a golden-brown crust, cooking 4-5 minutes per side.
5. Sauce Creation: Remove chicken and deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, introducing lemon juice, zest, remaining butter, and capers, scraping the pan to incorporate all flavorful remnants.
6. Sauce Refinement: Stir in heavy cream and return to moderate heat, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken, then reintroduce chicken to the pan, letting it absorb the rich, tangy sauce until perfectly cooked.
7. Finishing Touch: Garnish with fresh parsley and optional parmesan cheese, serving immediately while the dish remains gloriously hot and vibrant.

Notes

• Butterfly with Precision: Split chicken breasts carefully to ensure uniform thickness, promoting even cooking and preventing dry edges.
• Seasoning Strategy: Use generous, even salt, pepper, and garlic powder coverage to enhance overall flavor profile before flouring.
• Flour Finesse: Shake off excess flour to prevent heavy coating, ensuring a light, crispy exterior that doesn’t become soggy during cooking.
• Sauce Secrets: Deglaze pan thoroughly to capture all browned bits, creating a rich, complex sauce that transforms the entire dish from simple to spectacular.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg