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Golden-brown chicken piccata garnished with capers, fresh parsley, and elegant lemon curls, served on a dark plate.
Reda

Classic Chicken Piccata with Lemon-Caper Sauce

Tender, pan-seared chicken cutlets are bathed in a bright and zesty lemon-caper butter sauce. A classic Italian-American dish that's surprisingly easy to make for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 452

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs total, sliced in half horizontally to create 4 cutlets
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Lemon-Caper Sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter cubed and kept cold
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from 1-2 lemons
  • 3 tbsp capers drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet (12-inch)
  • Meat Mallet
  • Shallow Dishes
  • Tongs
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Slice the 2 chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4 thinner cutlets. Place each cutlet between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Set the coated chicken on a clean plate.
Cook the Chicken
  1. In a large 12-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foamy, carefully place two chicken cutlets in the pan. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan.
  2. Sauté for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining two cutlets.
Make the Pan Sauce
  1. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  2. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let the wine simmer and reduce by about half, which should take 1-2 minutes.
  3. Stir in the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and capers. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons of cold, cubed butter, one piece at a time, until the sauce is creamy and emulsified. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, turning them to coat in the sauce. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce and capers over the chicken.

Notes

Serving Suggestions: This chicken piccata is wonderful served over angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, or with a side of roasted asparagus or sautéed spinach.
Do Not Overcrowd: Cooking the chicken in batches is crucial for getting a beautiful golden-brown crust. Overcrowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.