Description
Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce is a quick, flavorful Italian-American dish featuring thin, golden chicken cutlets bathed in a zesty lemon butter sauce. The bright acidity from fresh lemon juice blends beautifully with the savory chicken broth, briny capers, and creamy butter. Perfect for weeknight dinners or an elegant dinner party, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes and pairs well with pasta or crusty bread.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3⁄4 cup chicken broth
1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers (drained)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
1. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Pound to even thickness if needed and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge each cutlet in flour, shaking off any excess.
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon butter and the minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape the pan to loosen browned bits and bring to a simmer.
6. Stir in capers and simmer for 2–3 minutes, reducing the sauce slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
7. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer 2 more minutes to absorb flavors.
8. Turn off the heat. Stir in the final tablespoon of butter for a silkier sauce.
9. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot with your favorite side.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor—it makes a huge difference.
Don’t skip pounding the chicken; it ensures even cooking and tenderness.
To make this gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend for dredging.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet with sauce
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Chicken, Lemon, Piccata, Capers, Skillet