Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Recipe
If you’re searching for a dinner that feels both comforting and endlessly elegant, Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is about to become your new weeknight hero. This Italian-American classic brings together juicy, golden chicken with a glossy, tangy sauce bursting with fresh lemon, capers, and just the right whisper of garlic. Every bite is a lively mix of savory, citrusy, and buttery flavors, sure to brighten up any table—whether it’s a cozy family meal or a special dinner for friends. In under half an hour, you’ll have a plateful of sunshine that’s tender, saucy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is how straightforward the ingredient list is—each element is essential and brings its own personality to the dish. These wholesome staples deliver everything from a crispy crust to a glossy, flavorful sauce.
- Chicken breasts: Sliced and pounded for even cooking, making each bite juicy and supremely tender.
- All-purpose flour: Provides just the right coating for a golden, delicate crust on the chicken.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor in the dish and brings the chicken to life.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth to both chicken and sauce.
- Olive oil: Helps achieve that perfect crispy sear and adds a fruity undertone.
- Unsalted butter: Makes the sauce rich and silky—using it in two stages delivers flavor at every layer.
- Garlic: Just enough to be fragrant without overpowering the lemon; it’s essential for that savory base.
- Chicken broth: Rounds out the sauce with savory depth and keeps things perfectly saucy.
- Dry white wine (optional): Offers a sophisticated lift to the sauce; chicken broth alone works just as beautifully for a more family-friendly version.
- Fresh lemon juice: The star of the show—delivering bright, zippy flavor that defines Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce.
- Capers: These little bursts add briny, tangy pops that pair brilliantly with lemon and butter.
- Fresh parsley: A quick hit of color and freshness right at the end to make your plate pop.
How to Make Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
Step 1: Pound and Prep the Chicken
To ensure your chicken cooks evenly and stays incredibly tender, place each breast half between sheets of plastic wrap and give it a gentle pound until about half an inch thick. This step helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly, which means juicy, golden results every time.
Step 2: Dredge in Seasoned Flour
In a shallow dish, mix together flour, salt, and pepper, then dredge each chicken piece lightly—just enough to coat. The flour gives the chicken that signature crisp coating and also helps thicken the lemony sauce later on.
Step 3: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat olive oil and half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Once it’s sizzling, lay in your chicken pieces and cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side. You want a beautiful golden crust and chicken that’s cooked through but still juicy. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm; you’ll bring it back in just a moment.
Step 4: Build the Luscious Lemon Sauce
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds—just enough to make your kitchen smell amazing. Stir in chicken broth, white wine (if using), and lemon juice, scraping up all the flavorful bits from the pan. Let it simmer for another 3–4 minutes, reducing slightly into a glossy, aromatic sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Capers and Butter
Add the drained capers and the remaining butter to the pan, swirling until everything melts together. Slide the cooked chicken back in, spooning sauce over each piece, and let it all heat through for another minute or two to soak up maximum flavor.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Scatter chopped fresh parsley over the top for a splash of color and a fresh finish. The chicken is now swimming in lemony, buttery bliss—ready to be plated up and devoured.
How to Serve Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
Garnishes
A flourish of fresh parsley is classic, but feel free to add extra thin lemon slices or even a sprinkling of lemon zest for an extra-citrusy punch. The finishing touches make Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce sparkle in both flavor and presentation.
Side Dishes
There’s no wrong answer here! A tangle of hot pasta, fluffy rice, or crispy roasted vegetables all soak up the dreamy sauce beautifully. Try it with angel hair pasta for a truly restaurant-worthy plate or spoon the chicken (with lots of sauce) over creamy mashed potatoes.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce family-style on a big platter for relaxed gatherings, or individually plated for something more elegant. You can even slice the chicken, fan it out over your chosen side, and drizzle the sauce and capers over everything for the most eye-catching (and appetizing) finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The chicken will continue to soak up the sauce, getting even more flavorful by the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce together for up to two months. For best results, let the dish cool before transferring to a freezer-safe container, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To rewarm, gently heat the chicken and lemon sauce together in a skillet over medium-low, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen up the sauce. This keeps everything juicy and prevents the chicken from drying out.
FAQs
Can I make Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce without wine?
Absolutely! Simply use extra chicken broth in place of the wine—your sauce will still be bright, savory, and delicious.
What’s the best way to get juicy chicken every time?
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness and not overcooking it are key. Check for doneness after about three minutes per side—when the juices run clear, you’re ready to go.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work wonderfully with Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce, but you may need to adjust the cook time slightly since thighs are a bit thicker. Enjoy the extra richness they bring!
What if I’m not a fan of capers?
No problem. You can leave them out, or substitute with chopped green olives for a different kind of briny bite. The lemon sauce will still sing.
Is it okay to prep the chicken in advance?
Definitely. You can pound and dredge the chicken in flour a few hours ahead—just store it on a plate covered in the fridge until ready to cook.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce, you’ll keep it in your back pocket for those nights when you want something special that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. Go ahead—gather your ingredients and let that zesty, buttery aroma fill your home tonight!
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Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy a classic Italian-American favorite with this Chicken Piccata recipe. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a savory lemon butter sauce with capers, creating a delightful balance of flavors. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved horizontally
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Lemon Sauce:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, can substitute broth)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup capers, drained
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness.
- Dredge the Chicken: Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish and lightly dredge the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté. Stir in chicken broth, white wine, and lemon juice. Simmer until slightly reduced. Stir in capers and remaining butter until melted and sauce is glossy.
- Combine and Serve: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over top, and heat briefly. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Serve with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
- You can skip the wine for a milder flavor, using only broth and lemon juice.
- For extra lemon flavor, add thin slices of lemon to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
