Chicken Piccata
Ingredients
- 2 largeskinless
boneless chicken breasts
- kosher salt
- ½ call-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
divided
- 4garlic cloves
smashed
- ⅓ cdry white wine
- 1 tbsp.capers
drained and coarsely chopped
- 4 tbsp.unsalted butter
cut into pieces
- 2 tbsp.fresh lemon juice
- chopped parsley and lemon wedges
for serving
Directions
- 1
Slice 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts in half crosswise into 4 cutlets and lightly pound each piece between sheets of plastic wrap until an even thickness (about ½" thick or less). Season lightly with kosher salt. Place ½ cup all-purpose flour in a medium shallow bowl. Working one at a time, dredge cutlets in flour, turning to coat. Knock off excess flour and transfer to a plate.
- 2
Warm 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, pan-fry the chicken cutlets, without moving them, until deeply browned underneath, about 2 minutes. Turn over and cook chicken on the other side just until nearly cooked through, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a clean plate.
- 3
Add 4 garlic cloves, smashed, and remaining 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet and cook, stirring often and reducing heat if needed to keep garlic from scorching, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add ⅓ cup dry white wine and 1 Tbsp. capers, drained and coarsely chopped; cook, swirling pan and scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of skillet, until liquid is almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add ½ cup water, followed by the 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces. Swirl pan vigorously while butter melts to help it form an emulsion with water, about 1 minute.
- 4
Return chicken to skillet and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice into sauce; taste and season with kosher salt. Transfer chicken and sauce to a platter and top with chopped parsley; serve with lemon wedges.
Editor’s note: This recipe was first printed in February 2018 and ran in our May 2019 issue. Head this way for more of our best recipes for chicken breast →
Chicken Piccata
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About this Recipe
Craving a weeknight meal that tastes utterly restaurant-worthy, even with boneless, skinless chicken breasts? This easy chicken piccata recipe will absolutely convert you, delivering tender chicken bathed in a bright, garlicky lemon-butter sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this dish lies in its incredibly flavorful sauce, which transforms humble chicken breasts into something extraordinary. The combination of sautéed chicken with a rich, tangy sauce featuring fresh lemon, aromatic garlic, and savory capers ensures every bite is bursting with bright, satisfying flavor, making it perfect for your dinner table.
What to Expect
Prepare for a wonderfully bright and zesty experience. You'll enjoy succulent chicken enveloped in a vibrant, garlicky lemon-butter sauce that's both comforting and elegant. The capers add a delightful briny counterpoint, cutting through the richness of the butter. This dish is designed for those busy weeknights when you want something impressive yet effortless, and it's naturally nut-free, making it a great option for many households. The fresh parsley and lemon wedges provide a final flourish of color and aroma.
Customization & Variations
While the core flavors of lemon, garlic, and capers are key to classic piccata, you can adjust some elements to your preference. Feel free to vary the amount of chopped capers for more or less brininess, or adjust the fresh lemon juice to your desired level of tang. You can also experiment with the type of dry white wine to influence the background notes of the sauce.
Serving & Context
This versatile dish is an ideal dinner solution, particularly suited for weeknight meals when you need something quick yet delicious. Serve your chicken piccata garnished generously with fresh chopped parsley and extra lemon wedges for a beautiful presentation and a burst of fresh flavor.