Description
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, lightly floured chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection and served with a tangy sauce made from lemon juice, capers, and chicken broth. This quick and flavorful meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special.
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: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge each breast in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess flour to ensure an even coating without clumps.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and drained capers to the pan. Allow the sauce to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, letting it reduce slightly and thicken to develop flavor.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them to coat thoroughly. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 2 minutes to absorb the flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Spoon additional sauce over the chicken, garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for a bright, delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra tenderness, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled lemon juice can be too harsh.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or a side of sautéed vegetables to complete the meal.
- Capers add a salty, briny flavor—rinse them if you prefer a milder taste.
- To keep the chicken warm, you can tent it loosely with foil while making the sauce.
