Description
Zesty chicken piccata brings Italian culinary magic to your dinner table with tender chicken bathed in a tangy lemon-butter sauce. Capers and parsley add bright, fresh notes that elevate this classic dish from simple to sensational.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 large chicken breasts
Seasonings and Coating:
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Flour (for dredging)
Cooking Liquids and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) brined capers, drained
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy/whipping cream
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped parsley
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Carefully butterfly chicken breasts, splitting them horizontally to create 4 uniform cutlets, removing any visible fat.
- Season cutlets thoroughly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring even coverage.
- Delicately coat each seasoned cutlet in a light layer of flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high, combining butter and olive oil until the mixture shimmers and becomes fragrant.
- Gently place floured chicken into the hot pan, cooking each side until a rich golden-brown crust develops, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping warm.
- Deglaze the skillet by pouring in chicken broth, introducing fresh lemon juice and zest, remaining butter, and briny capers.
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated flavor fragments from the pan’s surface.
- Incorporate heavy cream into the pan, returning it to moderate heat until the sauce begins to bubble gently.
- Reintroduce chicken to the pan, allowing it to simmer and absorb the luxurious sauce.
- Continue cooking until chicken reaches perfect doneness and sauce reaches desired consistency, adding additional broth if needed.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh parsley and optional parmesan cheese, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken by slicing lengthwise to ensure even cooking and juicy texture.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder for deep, layered flavor profile.
- Dredge in flour to create a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Use a combination of butter and olive oil for rich, complex pan-frying results.
- Scrape browned bits from pan to maximize depth and intensity of sauce.
- Customize by adding cream or increasing broth for desired sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 30g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 185mg