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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Dust chicken pieces with a light coating of flour, carefully removing excess to ensure a thin, even layer.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reduce heat and incorporate remaining butter, creating a silky sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
- Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, generously coating each piece with the vibrant lemon sauce. Allow proteins to absorb flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- 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