Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian dish that is known for its bold flavors and simple preparation. This dish features chicken breasts that are pounded thin, dredged in flour, and then cooked until golden brown. The chicken is then topped with a tangy and savory lemon and caper sauce, making it a flavorful and satisfying meal. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make this delicious Chicken Piccata in under 30 minutes, perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients for Chicken Piccata:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Chicken Piccata:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness, about 1/4 inch. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Dredge the Chicken:
- In a shallow dish, place the flour and season with salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and 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 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 skillet.
- Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted.
- Serve the Chicken:
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, turning them to coat in the sauce. Cook for an additional minute to heat through.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the chicken with chopped parsley.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Chicken Breast: Chicken breast is a lean protein that is low in fat and calories, making it a healthy choice for this dish. Pounding the chicken breasts thin helps them cook quickly and evenly.
- Flour: Flour is used to dredge the chicken breasts, creating a crispy crust when cooked. It also helps to thicken the sauce.
- Butter: Butter is used to cook the chicken and add richness to the sauce. It also helps to brown the chicken and create a flavorful fond in the skillet.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used along with butter to cook the chicken. It adds flavor and helps to prevent the butter from burning.
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is the base of the sauce, adding flavor and depth. It also helps to deglaze the skillet, picking up all the browned bits from the bottom.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the sauce, balancing the richness of the butter and chicken.
- Capers: Capers are small, pickled flower buds that add a briny flavor to the sauce. They are a classic ingredient in Chicken Piccata and add a pop of flavor.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley is used as a garnish, adding a fresh, herby flavor to the dish.
