Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, thinly pounded chicken breasts lightly breaded and pan-fried until golden, then served with a tangy lemon, caper, and butter sauce. This quick 30-minute recipe yields four servings of a flavorful, comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and black pepper, for seasoning chicken
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons jarred capers
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
- Freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to butterfly them open. If pieces are large, cut each into two. Pound thick pieces under plastic wrap or in a bag to an even 1/4-inch thickness for uniform cooking.
- Season and Dredge: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place flour on a plate, beaten eggs in a shallow dish, and mix panko with lemon zest on another plate. Dredge each chicken piece first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko-lemon zest mixture.
- Brown Chicken: Heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken and brown well for 3-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in butter, lemon juice, and capers until butter melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return chicken to the pan and simmer in the sauce for 3-5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with lemon slices and freshly chopped parsley. Serve warm, spooning sauce over the chicken.
Notes
- Butterflying and pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and tender texture.
- Panko breadcrumbs mixed with lemon zest add a crispy, citrusy crust to the chicken.
- Simmering the chicken in the sauce at the end infuses it with bright, tangy flavors.
- Use fresh lemon slices and parsley for a vibrant presentation and fresh finish.
- Adjust seasoning in sauce as lemon juice and capers can add acidity and saltiness.
Keywords: Chicken Piccata, Chicken Recipe, Italian Chicken, Lemon Chicken, Capers, Easy Dinner, Pan-fried Chicken
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/lemon-chicken-piccata-recipe/