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Italian Classic Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Italian Classic Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 23-24 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Chicken Piccata brings zesty lemon and buttery sauce together for a restaurant-quality meal you can quickly whip up at home. Tender chicken cutlets get a crispy pan-seared coating before swimming in a tangy white wine sauce that makes dinner feel special.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Base/Thickening Agents:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)

Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Juice of 2 large lemons
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pound chicken breasts to 0.5-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and 0.5 teaspoon black pepper evenly across both sides. Coat each breast in ¼ cup all-purpose flour, tapping off excess.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Cook chicken for 3 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Transfer chicken to a warm plate. Add 2 tablespoons capers and juice from 2 large lemons to the same skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated browned bits from pan bottom.
  4. Pour ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth into skillet. Simmer sauce for 5 minutes at medium heat until liquid reduces by one-third and becomes slightly thickened.
  5. Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over each piece. Allow chicken to reheat for 1-2 minutes, absorbing sauce flavors.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Garnish with 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley before serving immediately on warm plates.

Notes

  • Pounding chicken evenly helps ensure quick, consistent cooking and tender meat.
  • Pat chicken completely dry before flouring to get a crisp, golden crust that won’t become soggy.
  • For gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for the same crispy texture.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron to get the best golden-brown sear and develop rich flavor in the sauce.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 13-14 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 354 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 332 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 98 mg