Description
Chicken piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring golden chicken cutlets in a buttery lemon-caper sauce. With bright citrus, savory shallots, and briny capers, this 30-minute recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken cutlets or breasts, boneless and skinless, butterflied into thin pieces
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 ¾ teaspoons sea salt
1 cup flour, for dredging
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic (4–6 cloves)
1 ½ cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon), plus more to taste
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers, drained
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken cutlets with black pepper and 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Dredge in flour and shake off excess.
- Heat 3 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half the chicken 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a platter. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Add shallot to skillet and cook 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Pour in chicken stock and simmer 4–5 minutes until reduced by half.
- Reduce heat and stir in 4 tablespoons butter, capers, lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt.
- Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley and extra lemon zest. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Add ¼ cup heavy cream to make creamy chicken piccata.
- Use gluten-free flour for a GF version.
- Skip flour dredging for a lower-carb, lighter version.
- Add fresh thyme or basil to enhance flavor.
- Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
