How to Make the Perfect Lemon Chicken Piccata
Italian · Medium · 30 min · 4 servings
This restaurant-quality lemon chicken piccata features thin chicken cutlets dredged in flour and pan-fried until golden, then bathed in a bright and briny lemon caper butter sauce. It is an Italian classic that comes together in just 25 minutes on a busy weeknight.
Why this recipe works
This Lemon Chicken Piccata recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 390 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts pounded thin
- 2 whole lemons juiced and sliced
- 3 tablespoons capers drained
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup dry white wine
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Dredge the Chicken
Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge each piece in flour shaking off any excess. The light flour coating creates a delicate crust and helps thicken the sauce.
Step 2: Pan-Fry the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Step 3: Build the Piccata Sauce
Pour off excess oil leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. Add white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2 minutes then add lemon juice, lemon slices, and capers. Simmer for another 2 minutes.
Step 4: Finish with Butter and Serve
Remove the pan from the heat and swirl in the cold butter one tablespoon at a time until the sauce is glossy and emulsified. Return the chicken to the pan to coat in the sauce and serve immediately over pasta or with crusty bread.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- dry white wine → low-sodium chicken broth for an alcohol-free version
- capers → sliced green olives for a similar briny punch
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcrowding the pan when frying the chicken which causes steaming instead of browning
- Adding butter to a pan that is still on high heat which causes it to break and become greasy instead of glossy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 390 calories, 38g protein, 14g carbs, 20g fat, 1g fiber.
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