If you're looking to elevate your dinner game with a dish that’s bursting with flavor and sophistication, look no further than Chicken Piccata! This classic Italian recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a zesty lemon-caper sauce that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests. With just 30 minutes of your time, you can create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. Are you ready to discover the secrets behind this culinary delight? Let’s dive into the recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup capers
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch thick. This will help the chicken cook evenly.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread the all-purpose flour on a large plate. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. This will create a light coating that helps to form a golden crust when cooked.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the floured chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to keep it warm while you prepare the sauce.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This will add flavor to your sauce.
- Add the fresh lemon juice and capers to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for about 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the chicken for garnish.
- Serve the chicken piccata hot, drizzled with the lemon-caper sauce. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or a fresh green salad.
Tips
- Pound the Chicken Evenly: To ensure your chicken cooks evenly, take the time to pound it to a uniform thickness of about 1/2 inch. This not only helps with cooking but also keeps the chicken juicy.
- Don’t Skip the Flour: Dredging the chicken in flour before cooking creates a delicious golden crust. Make sure to shake off any excess flour to avoid a gummy texture.
- Temperature is Key: Ensure your olive oil is hot before adding the chicken to achieve that perfect sear. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
- Scrape the Pan: After cooking the chicken, don’t forget to scrape up the browned bits from the skillet when making your sauce. These bits are packed with flavor and will enhance the taste of your dish.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: Using fresh lemon juice and capers will make a noticeable difference in the flavor of your sauce. Fresh parsley adds a lovely color and freshness as a finishing touch.
- Let It Simmer: Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes to soak up all those delicious flavors.
- Pairing Suggestions: Serve your Chicken Piccata with a side of pasta, rice, or a crisp green salad to round out your meal beautifully.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 90mg
