Tangy Pioneer Woman Chicken Piccata Recipe with Lemon Zest

Crafting chicken piccata transforms ordinary evenings into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Bright, zesty lemons dance with golden-seared chicken medallions, creating a symphony of Mediterranean flavors.

Tangy capers and velvety sauce weave magic across your plate, transporting you to coastal Italian kitchens.

Delicate herbs whisper subtle sophistication, turning this simple dish into a restaurant-caliber masterpiece.

Butter-rich sauce embraces tender chicken with luxurious warmth, promising a meal that delights every sense.

Professional and amateur chefs alike cherish this timeless recipe for its elegant simplicity.

Let’s make dinner unforgettable.

Putting Together a Great Chicken Piccata

• Prepare Your Cooking Zone

Dust a clean surface with a light layer of flour, creating a perfect spot for transforming chicken into a culinary delight.

• Season and Coat Chicken

Massage chicken with salt and pepper, then lovingly roll each piece in flour, shaking off any excess for a crispy exterior.

• Create Golden Perfection

Warm a skillet with butter and olive oil, then gently place chicken, cooking until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown and reaches safe internal temperature.

• Craft Zesty Sauce

Deglaze the pan with white wine and chicken broth, scraping up those flavor-packed browned bits. Splash in bright lemon juice, letting the liquid dance and reduce into a concentrated nectar.

• Elevate with Creamy Finish

Swirl in heavy cream and sprinkle fresh parsley, returning chicken to the skillet to bathe in the luxurious sauce. Let everything mingle for a few moments, creating a dish that sings with flavor and comfort.

Tips and Tweak Ideas for Chicken Piccata Lovers

• Boost Flour Coating: Experiment with adding garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs to your flour mixture for an extra flavor kick that transforms ordinary breading into something extraordinary.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken breasts with turkey cutlets, pork tenderloin, or firm white fish like halibut to create delightful variations that keep your meal exciting and versatile.
• Wine Substitution Tricks: Replace dry white wine with chicken broth or apple cider for a non-alcoholic version that maintains the sauce's rich depth and complexity without compromising taste.
• Temperature Control Secret: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F (74°C), preventing overcooking while guaranteeing juicy, tender meat that melts in your mouth with each bite.

Chicken Piccata Plating Made Easy

• Plate with Elegance: Arrange the golden-brown chicken breasts on a pristine white plate, drizzling the creamy lemon sauce generously over the top for a restaurant-worthy presentation.
• Pair with Sides: Complement the chicken with roasted asparagus, herbed rice pilaf, or a crisp mixed green salad to balance the rich, tangy flavors of the dish.
• Wine Companion: Pour a chilled glass of dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the citrusy and creamy notes of the sauce.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or add a few lemon wedges on the side for diners to customize their plate with bright, zesty accents.

Storing and Prepping Pioneer Woman Chicken Piccata

• Preserve Peak Flavor: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to lock in moisture and prevent flavor loss.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the chicken's tender texture and crispy coating.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen chicken stays delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Sauce Separation Strategy: Keep sauce and chicken separate when storing to prevent soggy texture. Store sauce in a separate container, adding it fresh when ready to serve for maximum flavor and crispy chicken edges.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 635 kcal

Servings: 4

What’s Inside Pioneer Woman Chicken Piccata

• Chicken Breasts: Select plump, evenly sized breasts for consistent cooking and tender results.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced seasoning and enhanced natural flavors.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides robust, aromatic spiciness compared to pre-ground varieties.

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for smooth, even coating and golden-brown crust.

• Butter: Select unsalted butter to control recipe's saltiness and achieve rich, golden searing.
• Olive Oil: Pick extra virgin for deeper flavor and smooth cooking performance.

• Dry White Wine: Choose crisp varieties like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for bright, clean undertones.
• Chicken Broth: Low-sodium allows precise seasoning control and prevents over-salting.
• Lemon: Select firm, bright yellow lemons with smooth skin for maximum juice extraction.
• Heavy Cream: Use full-fat cream for luxurious, silky sauce texture.

• Fresh Parsley: Pick bright green, crisp leaves without wilting for vibrant color and fresh taste.

Equipment Roundup for Chicken Piccata Prep

• Large Skillet: Wide pan for even cooking and sauce preparation.
• Wide Plate: Flat surface for flour coating chicken.
• Measuring Spoons: To measure salt and pepper precisely.
• Sharp Knife: For cutting lemons and removing seeds.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and scraping pan.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning chicken in skillet.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
• Warm Serving Plate: Keeps chicken at optimal temperature while preparing sauce.

Zesty Pioneer Woman Chicken Piccata Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chicken piccata from the Pioneer Woman delivers zesty, lemony flavors that elevate simple chicken breasts into an elegant Italian-American classic. Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-quality dish with pantry staples and minimal preparation time.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 cup (240 ml) dry white wine
• 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 2 lemons
• 4 tbsps (59 ml) olive oil
• 4 tbsps (59 ml) butter
• 1 cup flour
• 1 bunch parsley (chopped)
• salt and pepper (for seasoning)

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Instructions

1. Seasoning: Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring complete coverage on both sides for enhanced flavor profile.
2. Dredging: Coat each chicken piece thoroughly in flour, delicately shaking off excess to create a light, even layer for optimal browning.
3. Searing: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame, carefully placing floured chicken and cooking 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown crust and reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature.
4. Resting: Transfer perfectly seared chicken to a separate plate, maintaining warmth while preparing sauce.
5. Deglazing: Pour dry white wine and chicken broth into the same skillet, scraping up caramelized remnants and allowing liquid to reduce and intensify for 5-7 minutes.
6. Finishing: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the sauce, stir in heavy cream and chopped parsley, then gently return chicken to skillet for 2-3 minutes to marry flavors and ensure uniform temperature.

Notes

• Precise Dredging Technique: Coat chicken evenly in flour, tapping off excess to prevent clumpy, heavy breading that can make the dish dense and less crispy.
• Temperature Control: Use medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, allowing even cooking and preserving chicken’s tender texture.
• Sauce Concentration Strategy: Simmer sauce reduction slowly to develop deep, rich flavors and achieve perfect consistency without burning or over-reducing.
• Cream Integration Tip: Add cream at the end of cooking to prevent curdling, ensuring a smooth, silky sauce that beautifully coats the chicken.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 635
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 49 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg