Quick Zesty Chicken Piccata Recipe 30-Minute Easy Homemade Dinner
A quick and easy chicken piccata recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a bright lemon and caper sauce, perfect for a flavorful dinner in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), pounded thin
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice (from 2 medium lemons)
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth, low sodium if available
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. (About 5 minutes)
- Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper. Pour flour into a shallow bowl. Lightly dredge each piece, shaking off excess flour. (3 minutes)
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. (2 minutes)
- Add the chicken breasts to the pan in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm. (8 minutes)
- Lower the heat to medium. Add 3 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the pan, swirling until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Scrape up any brown bits stuck to the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the sauce simmer and reduce slightly, about 4-5 minutes, until it thickens a bit.
- Nestle the chicken back into the sauce and spoon sauce over the top. Let it warm through for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken for garnish. Serve immediately.
Notes
If sauce is too thin, mix ½ teaspoon cornstarch with a little water and stir in during simmer to thicken. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain a crisp crust. For gluten-free, substitute flour with rice or almond flour. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or neutral oil instead of butter. Add lemon juice gradually to balance flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: chicken piccata, quick dinner, lemon chicken, capers, easy chicken recipe, 30-minute meal, weeknight dinner