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Lemon Chicken Piccata

Lemon Chicken Piccata
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Lemon Chicken Piccata is a bright and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a glossy, buttery sauce with tangy lemon juice, savory capers, and fresh parsley. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort. The balance of citrus and richness creates a zesty, crowd-pleasing meal that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 2 large chicken breasts, thinly sliced or pounded to ¼ inch thickness
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour/gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cooking Fats

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup chicken broth (or white wine for variation)
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional for extra zing)
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon slices (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim the chicken breasts and pound them evenly to about ¼ inch thickness for quick and even cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess to create a light, even coating.
  2. Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer to a warm plate, keeping it warm while you prepare the sauce.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen all browned bits for extra flavor. Optionally, add lemon zest now. Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors and thickening the sauce.
  4. Finish with Capers and Butter: Stir the capers into the sauce, then add a few tablespoons of butter to enrich and create a silky texture. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them thoroughly in the sauce. Warm through for 1 to 2 minutes.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle the dish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with optional lemon slices for added brightness and presentation.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and a tender texture.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary to keep the coating crispy.
  • Adding lemon zest to the sauce enhances its brightness and depth.
  • Make sure to deglaze the pan thoroughly to capture all flavorful browned bits.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer for thicker sauce or adding a splash of broth if it reduces too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: Lemon Chicken Piccata, Chicken Piccata, Lemon Sauce Chicken, Italian Chicken Recipe, Quick Chicken Dinner, Gluten Free Chicken

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/lemon-chicken-piccata/