Zesty Lemon Butter Chicken Piccata Recipe for Dinner Magic

Succulent chicken piccata dances with bright, zesty flavors that spark culinary excitement.

Lemons and capers create a Mediterranean melody on your plate.

Sharp white wine brings depth to this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Delicate chicken breasts get carefully pounded into tender medallions ready for magic.

Buttery sauce whispers elegant simplicity across each golden-browned piece.

Crisp, tangy notes promise a meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Savor this recipe and let your kitchen become a delicious destination.

Try These Variations of Chicken Piccata

• Gluten-Free Piccata: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for dredging chicken. This option works perfectly for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Piccata: Swap chicken with firm tofu, portobello mushrooms, or cauliflower steaks. Prepare using the same cooking technique and sauce for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth instead of wine. Minimize salt in seasoning and choose low-sodium capers to control overall salt content.
• Mediterranean Diet Adaptation: Use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter. Add fresh herbs like oregano or thyme for enhanced flavor profile. Select organic, free-range chicken for healthier protein option.

FAQs on Chicken Piccata, All in One Place

• What are capers and why are they used in this recipe?

Capers are small, tangy flower buds from a Mediterranean shrub that add a briny, salty flavor to dishes. They provide a zesty punch that complements the rich, buttery sauce in chicken piccata.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of cutlets?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Just slice them horizontally to create thinner cutlets, which ensures even cooking and helps the chicken absorb more of the delicious lemon-caper sauce.

• What's the purpose of dredging chicken in flour?

Dredging chicken in flour creates a light, crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and provides a golden-brown color when sautéed. The flour also helps thicken the sauce slightly and adds a subtle texture to the dish.

• Is it important to use fresh lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended because it provides a brighter, more vibrant citrus flavor compared to bottled juice. The fresh juice enhances the overall taste and gives the sauce its signature tangy character.

What’s So Good About Chicken Piccata

• Minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps make this chicken piccata a go-to meal for busy families needing delicious dinner in under 30 minutes.
• Beginner-friendly recipe with basic cooking skills required, ensuring even novice home cooks can create a restaurant-quality dish without stress or complicated methods.
• Bright lemon, tangy capers, and rich butter create a harmonious sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience with minimal effort.
• Perfect for casual family dinners, date nights, or impressing guests, this dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients List for Chicken Piccata Lovers

• Chicken Cutlets: Lean meat that forms the base of the dish, tender and quick to cook. Choose thin, evenly sliced cutlets for best results.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing the chicken's natural flavor. Use freshly ground black pepper for more robust taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior on the chicken. Shake off excess flour to prevent a thick, heavy coating.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking surface and adds subtle flavor. Extra virgin olive oil works best for its rich taste.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy sauce. Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.

• White Wine Or Broth: Adds depth and helps deglaze the pan. Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc works well.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy flavor that complements the chicken. Fresh lemon juice is preferable to bottled.
• Capers: Small, briny pickled flower buds that add a sharp, salty punch to the sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, green note and visual appeal. Chop finely just before serving.
• Lemon Slices: Provides a decorative touch and additional citrus brightness.

Cooking Chicken Piccata, One Step at a Time

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper over both sides of the chicken cutlets. Dust with flour, gently shaking off any excess coating.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet

Warm olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and starts to shimmer.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Place chicken cutlets in the hot skillet. Cook until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown and the meat is fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a warm plate.

Step 4: Create the Zesty Sauce

• White wine
• Fresh lemon juice

Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: Add Flavor Boosters

• Capers
• Remaining butter

Let the sauce simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Spoon the tangy sauce over the top, letting the chicken warm through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Garnish with fresh parsley and bright lemon slices. Plate immediately while piping hot.

Tips to Improve Your Chicken Piccata Game

• Flour Coating Trick: Shake off excess flour to prevent a thick, heavy coating and ensure a light, crispy exterior that lets the chicken's flavor shine.
• Pan Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without burning the chicken or creating tough meat.
• Sauce Depth Enhancement: Scrape up those delicious browned bits from the pan to add rich, concentrated flavor to your piccata sauce.
• Quick Reduction Magic: Allow the sauce to simmer briefly to develop a more intense, concentrated flavor that clings beautifully to the chicken.
• Herb Freshness Boost: Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the richness of the dish.

How to Keep Chicken Piccata Tasting Fresh

• Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, keeping the sauce separate to prevent soggy chicken.
• Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water to maintain moisture, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out.
• Warm chicken in short 30-second intervals, adding a tablespoon of sauce between each interval to keep meat tender and prevent rubbery texture.
• Skip freezing this dish, as the delicate sauce and chicken texture will deteriorate and lose their original fresh, zesty flavor when thawed.

What Goes Well with Chicken Piccata

• Crisp sauvignon blanc cuts through the rich, tangy piccata sauce, highlighting its bright lemon and caper notes.
• Light arugula salad with shaved parmesan and lemon vinaigrette balances the chicken's delicate, buttery flavors.
• Creamy parmesan risotto with fresh herbs absorbs the piccata's vibrant sauce, creating a harmonious plate.
• Tender, garlic-roasted asparagus adds a subtle green vegetable element that matches the dish's elegant profile.

Chicken Piccata Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty chicken piccata dances with tangy lemon and sharp capers, creating a classic Italian-American dish that sings with bright, bold flavors. Rich butter sauce and tender chicken promise a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor from first bite to last.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets)

Seasoning and Coating:

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) all-purpose flour (for dredging)

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) dry white wine or chicken broth
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
• ¼ cup (40 grams) brined capers, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Gently coat chicken cutlets with seasoned flour, ensuring an even, light dusting by tapping off any excess powder.
2. Warm a skillet with a blend of olive oil and butter, creating a golden-hot cooking surface over medium-high temperature.
3. Carefully place floured chicken into the skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior while cooking through completely.
4. Remove perfectly seared chicken to a waiting plate, tenting with foil to preserve warmth and moisture.
5. Deglaze the same skillet with a splash of white wine or broth, vigorously scraping accumulated flavor fragments from the pan’s surface.
6. Introduce tangy capers and remaining butter to the liquid, creating a vibrant, glossy sauce that reduces and concentrates flavors.
7. Gently nestle cooked chicken back into the bubbling sauce, allowing it to absorb the zesty, rich liquid for a few moments.
8. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and delicate lemon slices, presenting a bright, aromatic Mediterranean-inspired entrée ready to be savored immediately.

Notes

• Choose thin chicken cutlets or butterfly breasts to ensure even, quick cooking and prevent dryness.
• Use a meat mallet to pound chicken to uniform 1/4-inch thickness for consistent texture and faster cooking.
• Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning and flouring to help achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture.
• Opt for fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for brighter, more vibrant flavor in the sauce.
• Keep flour coating light to prevent heaviness and maintain the delicate texture of the chicken.
• Select a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the sauce’s complexity without overpowering the dish.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for similar coating results.
• Drain capers before adding to reduce excess saltiness and control the sauce’s overall seasoning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg