Description
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts lightly dredged in flour, pan-seared to golden perfection, and served in a tangy lemon-caper sauce. This delightful combination of bright, zesty flavors with a hint of briny capers makes it a perfect balance of savory and fresh, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), halved horizontally to make 4 cutlets
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup capers, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Dredge the chicken: Place the flour in a shallow dish. Lightly dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour, shaking off excess to ensure an even, thin coating.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted and hot, add the chicken cutlets and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside on a warm plate.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the lemon juice, chicken broth, and capers. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to create a silky sauce.
- Serve: Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet to coat with the sauce briefly, then transfer to serving plates. Spoon the sauce over each piece and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, lightly flatten the chicken breasts with a meat mallet before slicing to ensure even cooking.
- Capers can be adjusted to taste; rinse them to reduce saltiness if desired.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or a fresh green salad to complete the meal.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright flavor rather than bottled lemon juice.
