Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
This Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is a classic Italian dish with tender chicken breasts, a zesty lemon sauce, and briny capers. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is bursting with flavor and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – for sautéing
- 1 cup chicken broth – forms the base of the sauce
- Salt and black pepper – to season
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – the main protein
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour – for dredging the chicken
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter – divided for cooking the chicken and finishing the sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice – from about 2 lemons, for tangy flavor
- 2 tablespoons capers – drained and rinsed, to add a briny bite
- Fresh parsley – chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch thick). Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Dredge the Chicken:
- Lightly coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Lemon Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce reduce slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce:
- Lower the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Return the Chicken to the Pan:
- Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning the lemon sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 1–2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish:
- Transfer the chicken to a serving plate, pour the lemon sauce over it, and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately, paired with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, you can add a bit of heavy cream or white wine while simmering the sauce.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg