Zesty Lemon Chicken Piccata with a Creamy Garlic Caper Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this delightful Zesty Lemon Chicken Piccata, a dish that beautifully balances rich, savory flavors with a bright, tangy twist. Thin chicken cutlets are seared to golden perfection, then bathed in a luscious sauce made from white wine, fresh garlic, and capers. The zesty lemon juice adds a refreshing zing that pairs perfectly with the buttery, garlic-infused sauce. This classic Italian-inspired dish is simple enough for a quick family dinner yet elegant enough for a special occasion. You’ll find this recipe bursting with flavor while remaining surprisingly easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

Chicken:

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter

Sauce:

  • ½ cup dry white wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio works best)
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 tablespoons cold salted butter
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Chicken:
    • Start by slicing each chicken breast horizontally to create thin cutlets.
  2. Coat the Chicken:
    • In a shallow dish, mix the flour, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
    • Dredge each chicken cutlet in the mixture, ensuring an even coating.
  3. Sear the Chicken:
    • In a large frying pan, warm the olive oil along with a tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
    • Sauté the chicken cutlets for approximately 4 minutes on each side, or until they turn a lovely golden brown and are fully cooked.
    • Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep it aside.
  4. Prepare the Sauce:
    • In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced garlic. Sauté for roughly 1 minute, allowing the flavors to develop without letting them brown.
    • Pour in the white wine and bring it to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
    • Stir in the capers, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until it reduces slightly.
  5. Finish the Sauce:
    • Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in the cold butter until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
    • Add the fresh parsley and stir to combine.
  6. Serve:
    • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Allow the chicken to gently cook in the sauce for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, enabling it to soak up all the delicious flavors.
    • Serve the chicken piccata with the sauce drizzled generously over the top. Pair with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a side of vegetables.

Conclusion:

This Zesty Lemon Chicken Piccata is a wonderfully bright and flavorful dish that brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen. The chicken is tender and golden, perfectly complemented by the buttery, garlic-caper sauce infused with lemon. With just a few simple ingredients and quick steps, this dish is both accessible and impressive, perfect for family dinners or even a fancy date night. Try it once, and it will surely become a favorite in your meal rotation!

Zesty Lemon Chicken Piccata with a Creamy Garlic Caper Sauce

This easy-to-make Zesty Lemon Chicken Piccatafeatures tender, golden-brown chicken cutlets in a buttery lemon garlic saucewith capers and fresh parsley.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • ½ cup dry white wine Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio works best
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons capers drained
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons cold salted butter
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Start by slicing each chicken breast horizontally to create thin cutlets.

Coat the Chicken:

  • In a shallow dish, mix the flour, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
  • Dredge each chicken cutlet in the mixture, ensuring an even coating.

Sear the Chicken:

  • In a large frying pan, warm the olive oil along with a tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté the chicken cutlets for approximately 4 minutes on each side, or until they turn a lovely golden brown and are fully cooked.
  • Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep it aside.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced garlic. Sauté for roughly 1 minute, allowing the flavors to develop without letting them brown.
  • Pour in the white wine and bring it to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Stir in the capers, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until it reduces slightly.

Finish the Sauce:

  • Remove the skillet from heat and whisk in the cold butter until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
  • Add the fresh parsley and stir to combine.

Serve:

  • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Allow the chicken to gently cook in the sauce for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, enabling it to soak up all the delicious flavors.
  • Serve the chicken piccata with the sauce drizzled generously over the top. Pair with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a side of vegetables.
Keyword Chicken Piccata

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