Easy Crispy Chicken Piccata Recipe with Zesty Lemon Caper Sauce
A quick and easy chicken piccata recipe featuring crispy chicken breasts and a bright, tangy lemon-caper sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal fuss.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry chicken breasts. Pound each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap to about ½ inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Spread ½ cup flour on a plate. Lightly coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes to develop a crust.
- Flip chicken with tongs and cook another 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and keep warm tented with foil.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Add 3 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to skillet. Sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant without burning.
- Pour in ½ cup white wine or chicken broth, scraping browned bits from pan. Let reduce by half, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice and capers. Simmer for 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over to rewarm and coat. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, replace butter with plant-based alternative. Avoid burning garlic by keeping heat moderate. To smooth sauce if too sharp, add a pinch of sugar or more butter. Serve immediately to keep chicken crispy. Leftovers can be stored separately and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken piccata, crispy chicken, lemon caper sauce, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, gluten-free option, dairy-free option