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Golden-brown Lemon Chicken Piccata on a plate with a buttery caper sauce and fresh parsley garnish.
Lady Maria

Weeknight Lemon Chicken Piccata

Experience kitchen alchemy with this quick and vibrant Weeknight Lemon Chicken Piccata. In under 30 minutes, create tender, juicy chicken cutlets enveloped in a glossy, zesty pan sauce of lemon, butter, and capers. It's a spectacular meal that proves weeknight cooking can be truly special.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs total
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1 tbsp for searing, 3 tbsp cold for the sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon
  • 3 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Meat Mallet or Heavy Rolling Pin
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Shallow Dish (for flour)
  • tongs
  • Plate
  • Wooden Spoon or Whisk
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Citrus juicer

Method
 

  1. Place the chicken cutlets between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even ¼-inch thickness. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow dish and lightly dredge each cutlet, shaking off any excess.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of butter. Once the butter is melted and foaming, carefully place two chicken cutlets in the pan. Do not overcrowd. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and repeat with the remaining cutlets.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the wine reduce by about half.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, then add the drained capers. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of cold butter and the fresh parsley. Swirl the skillet continuously until the butter has melted completely, creating a smooth, glossy sauce. Return the chicken cutlets to the pan, spooning the sauce over the top to rewarm them.

Notes

Tips for Success: Pound the chicken to an even ¼-inch thickness for tender, quick-cooking results. Use a hot, uncrowded pan for a perfect golden sear. To create a silky, emulsified sauce, swirl in cold butter *off the heat* at the very end.
Ingredient Swaps: No white wine? Use an equal amount of chicken broth with a teaspoon of white wine vinegar. No capers? Finely chopped green olives work well. This recipe is also excellent with thin pork cutlets or veal scaloppine.
Variations: For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream with the broth. For an earthy flavor, add a half-cup of drained, jarred artichoke hearts. For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Serving Suggestions: Serve with angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted asparagus to soak up the delicious sauce.