Have you ever tasted Chicken Piccata at an Italian eatery and wondered how it got to be so mouthwatering?  You’re not the only one, because pan-fried chicken bathed in rich lemon butter sauce and contrasting salty capers is something that feels luxurious yet cozy at the same time. But the great thing is: you don’t have to be a professional chef to cook it yourself.

In Chef’s Home Around we love good Italian food that brings people together. The chicken piccata recipe is loved for its simplicity while still being delicious. A couple of the fresh ingredients and a few tips will help you make your dinner within 30 minutes.

In any case, whether you’re cooking it for your family or hosting a dinner party, these nine simple suggestions will help you bring this best chicken piccata recipe perfectly to life.

Nutritional Value of Chicken Breasts

An ordinary boneless and skinless cooked chicken breast weighing 172 grams contains the following nutritional information: 

Calories: 284

Protein: 53.4 grams 

Carbohydrates: 0 grams 

Fat: 6.2 grams 

When it comes to the ordinary serving size of 3.5 oz (100 g) of chicken breast, it has 165 calories and 31 grams of protein with 3.6 grams of fat meaning that around 80% of calories in chicken breast are obtained from protein and 20% from fats.

What Makes Chicken Piccata So Special?

Chicken Piccata is a favorite among American-Italians and regarded for its mixture of mild and bold flavors. The dish uses small chicken pieces that are coated in flour, fried until golden brown, and then slathered with chicken Piccata sauce made of butter, lemon juice, chicken broth, and capers.

This dish is known to be perfect because of the opposing tastes it mixes. 

The taste of butter is complemented with the freshness of lemon, while the flavor of capers provides salty notes that make eating even more enjoyable. It is one of the best Italian recipes that speaks Italian Flavors in every single bite.

If you are searching for delicious and quick chicken recipes, try this dish to add it to your recipes collection.

Easy Chicken Piccata Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper according to taste
• ½ cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter (divided)
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• ¼ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of drained capers
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon slices for garnishing

Instructions

Step 1: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to get four thin cutlets. Dry them with paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off excess flour. It helps the Chicken Piccata sauce adhere well to the chicken.

Step 3: Heat olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a big skillet on medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for three to four minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Move to a plate.

Step 4: Pour the chicken broth into the same skillet, scraping off the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add lemon juice and capers, bring to a simmer for two to three minutes.

Step 5: Reduce the heat and whisk in the remaining butter until smooth and shiny. Place the chicken back in the pan, spoon the sauce over, and cook for another couple of minutes.

Finish with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving.

This simple easy chicken piccata recipe goes superbly with angel hair pasta, smooth mashed potatoes, or some freshly baked crusty roll to mop up that lovely sauce.

9 Simple Tips to Make Chicken Piccata Like a Pro

1. Evenly Pound the Chicken 

Thin and even pieces make for quicker cooking and moist meat.

2. Use Fresh Lemon Juice 

Whenever Possible Freshly squeezed lemons will give the chicken piccata sauce its unique and bright flavor. Commercial lemon juice is often tasteless or too sour.

3. Use Minimum Shipment of Flour 

Keep the coating light as too much flour can create a heavy sauce instead of light.

4. Allow the Chicken to Brown 

If You Can Don’t move it too early; the golden crust will give it an amazing taste and leave you with great bits of fried food in the pan.

5. Deglaze the Pan 

Those brown bits will add flavor and texture to your sauce when you dissolve them in the dish.

6. Incorporating Butter at the End

By including butter to the sauce at the last stages and whilst getting it off the heat, one can give the best chicken piccata recipe the luxurious shine that is  characteristic of a dish made by the chefs in posh restaurants.

7. Finding the Right Lemon Balance

Excess lemon can make the dish bitter. Be sure to taste the chicken piccata sauce before serving it up and adjust if necessary.

8. Opting for Quality Capers

Capers are an essential component of this chicken piccata recipe. If you want the taste to be milder, wash them beforehand.

9. Serve Right Away

Chicken Piccata is best when it is piping hot and the sauce is still smooth.

What to Serve with Chicken Piccata

Being an old recipe, Chicken Piccata can be served with:

• Angel hair or linguine
• Parmesan risotto
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Garlic bread
• Roasted asparagus
• Sautéed green beans
• A nice green salad with a lemony dressing

The given dishes are simple yet fit perfectly the bright buttery flavor toppings of the Chicken Piccata.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicken Piccata an authentic Italian dish?

Piccata is inspired by Italian cuisine, while chicken piccata has gained popularity among the American-Italian community. From that time, this dish has spread to different corners of the world. So in a way, yes Chicken Piccata is an Italian Dish.

Can I make Chicken Piccata without wine?

Definitely! This easy chicken piccata recipe doesn’t require any wine, since it uses chicken broth and lemon juice to give it flavor.

Why does the Chicken Piccata sauce taste bitter?

The usual reason for bitterness is that one has used bottled lemon juice or boiled fresh lemon juice for too long. When the fresh juice is added at the correct moment, the sauce is balanced and remains bright.

Is it possible to substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts?

Yes, indeed. Boneless and skinless chicken thighs can taste wonderful and provide a more intense flavor, but they may take a little longer to cook.

Can Chicken Piccata be prepared in advance? 

While this dish tastes the best freshly made, leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat it gently over low heat to preserve the smoothness of the sauce.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to preparing a delicious chicken piccata recipe, it is not a case of hard tricks or sophisticated skills. Instead, the trick lies in the simple ingredients and great traditional Italian tastes. Thanks to juicy chicken, velvety chicken piccata sauce, and 9 useful tips, you will make a plate that has both luxuriously tasty taste and perfect simplicity for any home dinner.

If you enjoyed this recipe, explore more comforting Chicken Recipes and timeless Italian recipes on Chef’s Home Around. Every recipe is created to help you bring restaurant-quality flavors into your own kitchen, one delicious meal at a time.