Tangy Chicken Piccata: A Sunny Lemon Sauce Recipe

Crafting a delectable chicken piccata with lemon sauce promises culinary magic that will delight your taste buds.

Zesty citrus notes dance alongside tender chicken, creating a symphony of flavors.

Succulent meat bathed in a bright, tangy sauce brings restaurant-quality elegance to your home kitchen.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully prepared bite.

Capers add a delightful punch of briny complexity to this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Simple ingredients combine to create something truly extraordinary.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Instructions for Delicious Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Step 1: Tenderize Chicken

Gently place each chicken breast between plastic wrap sheets. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken until it reaches an even thickness.

Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Dust with Flour

Lightly coat each chicken piece in flour, ensuring an even, thin layer.

Gently shake off any excess flour to prevent clumping.

Step 3: Golden Sear

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add butter and olive oil, allowing them to melt and combine. Carefully place chicken breasts in the hot pan.

Cook until each side turns a beautiful golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. The chicken should be fully cooked and have a crispy exterior.

Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.

Step 4: Create Zesty Sauce

In the same skillet, pour in chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and capers.

Scrape the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer and reduce, concentrating the flavors for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Enrich the Sauce

Reduce heat and stir in a final pat of butter. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Gently spoon the tangy lemon sauce over the chicken, allowing it to warm and absorb the vibrant flavors for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Transfer the chicken to serving plates. Generously spoon the remaining lemon sauce over the top.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately alongside your favorite sides like pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.

Expert Tips for Chicken Piccata Perfection

• Choose thin chicken breasts or carefully pound them to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
• Pat chicken dry before dredging to help flour adhere perfectly and create a crispy golden exterior.
• Use fresh lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant sauce flavor compared to bottled alternatives.
• Keep butter and olive oil temperature balanced to prevent burning while achieving beautiful golden-brown chicken.
• Allow sauce to reduce naturally to concentrate flavors and create a rich, glossy consistency that clings beautifully to chicken.

Variations to Refresh Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

• Gluten-Free Chicken Piccata: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free chicken broth to ensure complete dietary compliance.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Add fresh oregano and thyme to the flour coating. Incorporate roasted red peppers into the lemon sauce for an extra Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Swap: Replace traditional pasta or rice with spiralized zucchini noodles. Use ghee instead of butter for added richness while keeping carbohydrate content low.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Use nutritional yeast or dairy-free margarine to maintain the creamy sauce texture without dairy products.

Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Piccata

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Select a bright, acidic Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the tangy lemon sauce and cuts through the richness of the chicken.
• Serve Alongside Herbed Risotto: Create a creamy parmesan risotto with fresh herbs like thyme or basil to balance the zesty piccata and soak up the delicious lemon sauce.
• Match with Roasted Asparagus: Prepare tender roasted asparagus spears with a light garlic and olive oil seasoning to provide a fresh, green side that enhances the dish's delicate flavors.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Offer a warm, crusty Italian or sourdough bread to help guests soak up every last drop of the vibrant, buttery lemon sauce.

Storage Advice for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

• Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the sauce covers the chicken to maintain moisture.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Chicken piccata can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing significant flavor or texture.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring sauce halfway through.

FAQs

• What type of flour works best for dredging the chicken?

All-purpose flour is perfect for dredging chicken piccata. It creates a light, crispy coating that helps seal in the chicken’s moisture and provides a golden-brown exterior when seared.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

While chicken breasts are traditional, boneless chicken thighs can work. Just ensure they’re pounded to an even thickness and cooked through, as they have a slightly different cooking time and texture compared to chicken breasts.

• Why are capers important in this recipe?

Capers add a tangy, briny flavor that complements the bright lemon sauce. They provide a distinctive salty punch that balances the richness of the butter and brings depth to the overall dish.

Zesty and Tender: Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

• Elevate Weeknight Dinners: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal cooking skills required, making gourmet dining accessible at home.
• Master Quick Cooking Techniques: Learn professional searing and sauce-making methods that boost culinary confidence and create impressive dishes in minimal time.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Easily adjust the sauce's tanginess by modifying lemon juice quantities or adding extra capers for personalized taste experiences.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Perfect for romantic date nights, family gatherings, or sophisticated dinner parties, this recipe adapts seamlessly to various dining scenarios.

Ingredients that Bring Chicken Piccata to Life

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, boneless meat that serves as the main star of this classic Italian-American dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that bring out the natural taste of the chicken.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior on the chicken and thickens the sauce.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provide rich flavor and help achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear on the chicken.

• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and savory background to the lemon sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, tangy citrus flavor that defines the piccata style.
• Capers: Small pickled flower buds that contribute a briny, salty punch to the sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herb flavor as a garnish.

Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken piccata dances with zesty lemon sauce, creating a Mediterranean melody of tangy, buttery perfection. Delicate chicken cutlets promise a quick, elegant dinner that transports you straight to an Italian kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons capers
• Fresh parsley (chopped)

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Instructions

1. Delicately butterfly chicken breasts between plastic wrap, gently hammering to a uniform 1/2-inch thickness. Season thoroughly with salt and pepper on both surfaces.
2. Dust chicken pieces with a light coating of flour, carefully removing excess to ensure a thin, even layer.
3. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat, combining butter and olive oil until butter melts and pan becomes sizzling hot. Carefully place chicken breasts into the skillet, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and reaching complete internal doneness. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
4. Within the same skillet, pour chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Activate a gentle simmer while meticulously scraping accumulated flavor fragments from the pan’s bottom. Allow sauce to condense for 2-3 minutes.
5. Reduce heat and incorporate remaining butter, creating a silky sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
6. Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, generously coating each piece with the vibrant lemon sauce. Allow proteins to absorb flavors for 1-2 minutes.
7. Elegantly plate chicken, cascading remaining sauce overtop. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as a final flourish. Accompany with preferred side dishes like pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or tough meat.
• Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound chicken gently, creating consistent thickness for perfect texture.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create a crispy golden-brown exterior.
• Select fresh lemons for vibrant, zesty sauce and avoid bottled lemon juice which can taste flat.
• Keep flour coating light to prevent heavy, greasy breading that overwhelms delicate chicken flavor.
• Allow pan to reach proper temperature before adding chicken to achieve beautiful caramelization.
• Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and optimal browning results.
• Reduce sauce slowly to concentrate flavors and create a rich, silky consistency.
• Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for same crispy texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg