If you've been craving an authentic Italian meal but can't fly to Rome right now, that sucks because we should all be able to fly to Rome whenever we want.
However, you can make a delicious Italian dish from the comfort of your own home using a few simple ingredients. This easy chicken piccata is a classic dish that effortlessly combines tender chicken with a zesty lemony sauce.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice home chef, this Chicken Piccata recipe is your ticket to an authentic Italian dining experience right at your own table. Get ready for a flavorful journey as you learn to create a mouthwatering, restaurant-quality dish that will impress family and friends alike.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
You will love this chicken piccata recipe because it is a vibrant, flavorful, and tender dish that is versatile and texturally interesting. Not to mention it's so easy to prepare and ready in just 20 minutes.
A culinary masterpiece, this chicken piccata recipe is an orchestration of flavors and textures. It marries a blank chicken canvas with a vibrant ensemble of lemon juice, white wine, and capers, creating a delightful balance of acidity, tanginess, and brininess.
The quick searing method used to make this dish ensures the chicken remains tender and succulent. The pan sauce, enriched with fresh ingredients, serves as the glue that ties everything together.
The versatility of this chicken piccata recipe shines as it effortlessly complements various side dishes, adapting to diverse tastes.
Additionally, the contrasting textures between the crispy, lightly floured chicken and velvety sauce create a deliciously unique dining experience. Fresh herbs like parsley add a final flourish of freshness, elevating chicken piccata to a culinary triumph.
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the most common choice when making this indulgent chicken piccata recipe. Since you will either cut the chicken breast in half or pound it out, boneless chicken is essential.
Capers:
Capers are small, round, and green flower buds that are commonly used as a condiment or seasoning in cooking and are known for their briney, tangy flavor. If you don't like capers, you can omit them from this chicken piccata recipe, and the dish will still be delicious. Or you can swap them out for something like olives, diced gherkins, or lemon zest to keep that tangy flavor in your dish.
White Wine:
When making this chicken piccata recipe, it's best to use a dry white wine with bright acidity and subtle fruity notes like a sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, an unoaked chardonnay, or dry vermouth. However, if you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth in its place.
Lemon:
This dish is known for its lemony flavor, so make sure you taste your sauce as you go to ensure that it is flavored to your liking. Add more lemon juice or even some lemon zest to increase the lemon flavor in the dish. Just be careful it doesn't overpower all of the other flavors in this chicken piccata recipe.
How to Make Chicken Piccata
Step One:
Pat your chicken dry with a clean cloth or paper towel and season generously with salt.
Step Two:
Coat your chicken breasts thoroughly with ½ a cup of flour. Set aside.
Step Three:
Place a large pan on medium heat. Add the oil when the pan is hot, and carefully place the chicken. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the edges start to crisp up, flip, then cook for another 3-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Step Four:
Melt butter in the pan with the chicken drippings, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just enough to release the aroma. Add ¼ cup flour and stir to incorporate.
Step Five:
Deglaze the pan with white wine, then stir in 1 teaspoon salt, capers, and the juice of half a lemon.
Step Six:
Add the chicken back into the pan, cover, and simmer in the sauce for 15 minutes.
Step Seven:
Serve with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges, and enjoy!
Tips
- You want to ensure your chicken pieces are thin when you cook them. You can do that by slicing your chicken breast in half to create two thin pieces, or you can pound the chicken. Simply cover the chicken in plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound it using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Do this before you season it.
- Remember that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Keep an eye on it to avoid drying the chicken out.
What to Serve With Chicken Piccata
This chicken piccata recipe pairs well with a variety of side dishes that complement its vibrant and tangy flavors. Consider serving it atop a bed of homemade pasta, allowing the lemony caper sauce to infuse every strand.
Alternatively, fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes provide a neutral canvas for the zesty sauce to shine. Steamed, grilled, or sautéed vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or green beans, offer a fresh and crisp contrast to the tender chicken.
Add a simple garden salad with a lemony dressing to tie everything together and add a refreshing element to the meal.
Looking for more ideas? Check out What To Serve With Chicken Piccata for 16 delicious recipes 🙂
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs or chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs or tenders if you prefer dark meat or smaller pieces. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they may cook faster than chicken breasts.
What kind of pan should I use to cook chicken piccata?
A heavy-bottomed skillet or frying pan works well to make this chicken piccata recipe. Stainless steel or non-stick pans are often preferred. Make sure it's large enough to fit the chicken without overcrowding.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
While this recipe isn't gluten-free, it can be made so by swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option. Just be sure that whatever gluten-free flour you use is suitable for frying.
How long can chicken piccata leftovers be stored?
While chicken piccata is best served fresh, you can store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop to prevent overcooking.
More Chicken Recipes
If you love how easy and versatile this chicken piccata recipe is, then you will love this collection of additional chicken recipes to add to your quick and easy dinner repertoire.
Chicken Piccata
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 2 teaspoons salt divided
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour divided
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- ⅓ cup white wine dry
- 1 tablespoon capers drained
- ½ lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat your chicken dry with a clean cloth or paper towel and season generously with salt.
- Coat your chicken breasts thoroughly with ½ a cup of flour. Set aside.
- Place a large pan on medium heat. Add the oil when the pan is hot, and carefully place the chicken. Cook for 2-4 minutes, until the edges start to crisp up, flip, then cook for another 2-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Melt butter in the pan with the chicken drippings, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just enough to release the aroma. Add ¼ cup flour and stir to incorporate.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine, then stir in 1 teaspoon salt, capers, and the juice of half a lemon.
- Add the chicken back into the pan, reduce the heat, and simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes.
- Serve with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- You want to ensure your chicken pieces are thin when you cook them. You can do that by slicing your chicken breast in half to create two thin pieces, or you can pound the chicken. Simply cover the chicken in plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound it using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Do this before you season it.
- Remember that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts. Keep an eye on it to avoid drying the chicken out.