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Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata
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Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts lightly coated and seared, then served in a bright, tangy lemon-caper sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal that’s both comforting and elegant, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced or butterflied (about ½ inch thick)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour alternative)

Sauce & Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine for variation)
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Thinly slice or butterfly chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ½ inch for quick, even cooking. Pat each piece dry with paper towels, season both sides with salt and pepper, then dredge lightly in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a thin, even coating.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the coated chicken and cook about 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a warm plate to rest.
  3. Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in fresh lemon juice, chicken broth, and capers, stirring to deglaze the pan and scrape up browned bits. Let sauce simmer 3 to 5 minutes until slightly reduced and flavorful.
  4. Finish the Dish: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece, and warm through for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, sprinkle generously with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Even Thickness Matters: Ensure chicken is evenly pounded or butterflied for quick, uniform cooking and juicy texture.
  • Avoid Overcrowding: Cook chicken in batches if necessary to maintain a crisp golden crust, preventing steaming.
  • Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and freshness far superior to bottled juice.
  • Deglaze Thoroughly: Scrape the pan carefully to incorporate flavorful browned bits into the sauce.
  • Butter Last: Stir in butter off heat for a glossy, rich finish without overcooking the butter.
  • Resting Chicken: Let cooked chicken rest briefly to lock in juices and maintain tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken piccata, lemon chicken, caper sauce, quick dinner, Italian recipe, weeknight meal, gluten free option

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/chicken-piccata/