Chicken Piccata is a light, flavorful Italian dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a zesty lemon and caper sauce. Known for its fresh, tangy taste and savory balance, this dish is both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or when you’re in the mood for something a little more refined yet simple.
The chicken is lightly seasoned, coated in flour, and then sautéed until golden and crisp. This creates a beautifully seared exterior while keeping the chicken moist and juicy on the inside. What really elevates Chicken Piccata, however, is the sauce. Made with lemon juice, white wine, and a handful of capers, the sauce has a delightful tangy kick that complements the chicken perfectly. The capers add a burst of salty, briny flavor, which balances the acidity of the lemon and wine.
Chicken Piccata is usually served over a bed of pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables, allowing the sauce to be soaked up and savored. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and a touch of extra flavor. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity; the combination of fresh ingredients creates a dish that feels both indulgent and light at the same time.
For those who love bold flavors, this dish delivers the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet notes. Whether served at a dinner party or a cozy meal at home, Chicken Piccata never fails to impress.
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring thinly sliced chicken breasts, dredged in flour, pan-fried, and served in a lemony butter sauce with capers. It’s known for its bright, tangy flavor and quick cooking time.
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts. They’re juicier and add a slightly richer flavor. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
Yes! Swap the butter with a dairy-free alternative like olive oil or plant-based butter. The dish will still be flavorful and light.
Chicken Piccata is relatively light, especially if pan-fried in olive oil and served with veggies. To make it healthier, reduce the amount of butter and serve it with whole grain sides.
Popular options include pasta (like angel hair or spaghetti), creamy mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or orzo. For a lighter meal, try serving it with sautéed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a crisp side salad with a lemon vinaigrette. The fresh, tangy flavors also complement grilled vegetables or steamed broccoli beautifully
Ingredients
- 1 piece chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut in half lengthwise
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons capers rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cold
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness.
- Dredge the chicken cutlets in flour and shake off the excess.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Sauté the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add lemon juice, chicken broth, and capers, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in cold butter until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Too much lemon for my taste. I also think capers are weird. Not a fan.
Absolutely delicious! The lemon flavor is perfect and the capers add a nice touch. My family loved it!
I tried it but the chicken was dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure I’d make it again.
No way, the chicken should be moist! I don’t think you did anything wrong. Maybe your oven is just too hot?
I had a similar issue! Cooking it too long can definitely dry it out. Maybe just check the internal temp next time! 🔍
I thought it was kinda bland? Maybe I’m used to spicier food.
Had a hard time with the cooking time. My chicken was overcooked and tough. 😩
Overcooked chicken? That’s a bummer. Did you use a thick piece? Mine turned out juicy! 🤷♂️
I think the cooking time is really key here! Maybe try reducing it to just 3 mins per side next time? Hope it works better for you!
This was absolutely delicious! The capers really made it pop. My family loved it.
Okay but how come you didn’t tell me to pound the chicken?! I didn’t do that and it was still great. 😄
You did it without pounding? That’s impressive! I thought it wouldn’t turn out right. 😯
Amazing flavor! Definitely a keeper. Will make again for sure!
My husband said he doesn’t like lemon chicken, but he ate it all! Must be good then!
I love Capers! This made me so happy! 🥳
Simple and quick! I always have these ingredients. My kids loved it!
I dunno, my chicken came out kinda dry… maybe I cooked it too long? Help!
You might have overcooked it a bit. Try cooking for less time next time, and make sure the heat isn’t too high. Good luck!
I think chicken breast is just hard to keep juicy! Maybe try marinating it first or use a meat thermometer. Tastes good though!
I tried this and it was kinda bland. Maybe needs more spices? Not impressed.
I totally agree! More spices would make it pop! I added some garlic powder and it turned out great.
This was so easy to make! I loved how the chicken turned out. Will definitely be making it again! 🍋✨
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It really is a flavorful dish. 🍽️👍
Hate that! You should add mushrooms too.
Mushrooms don’t belong in a classic Chicken Piccata! Stick to the recipe!
Eh, chicken piccata is overrated. I prefer it with a cream sauce instead. Just saying.
I can’t believe how good this turned out! Better than the restaurant, my kids couldn’t get enough! 😍
Love this! Easy to make and tastes like a fancy restaurant dish.
OMG, so good!!! 🤤 I’m gonna make this every week.
This is my favorite! I love how simple yet delicious it is. 😍
Not sure how you could make this every week. Seems kinda boring to eat the same thing.
DEF a hit with the kids! Fun to make together too.
Taste like summer! I added more lemon juice for extra zing. Love love love!
I totally agree! The lemon juice really gives it that vibrant taste. Can’t wait to try it again!
More lemon? I dunno if that’s how it’s supposed to taste. Mine was kinda bland. Maybe I did something wrong?
Chicken better than my mom’s! 😂 Thx for the recipe!
Y’all, this is my new go-to recipe! So easy and fancy!
I tried this tonight and it was super yummy! Thanks for sharing! 🤩
Looks good, but is it really that easy? I got burned once trying a ‘simple’ recipe and it wasn’t. 😬
Lemon juice? I dunno about that… I use vinegar instead.
I mean, vinegar is ok, but lemon juice adds a whole different flavor! Don’t knock it till you try it!
Wow, this is so good! My wife liked it, too. Definitely making again.
Really? I found it a bit too sour with all that lemon juice. Maybe I did something wrong. 🤔
That’s awesome to hear! My husband loved it last week too. Can’t wait to make it again!
One of my favorite recipes! So zesty and flavorful. It’s a hit at dinner parties!
Why do you need capers? They taste weird. No capers, no worries!
I tried this recipe but didn’t have capers, so I used olives instead. Still turned out ok, but not the same.
What is capers?? I didn’t have em so I used pickles. Didn’t turn out too bad haha!
Meh, didn’t turn out like the pic! Chicken was dry and sauce didn’t smell good… Gonna stick to my usual recipes.
Sorry to hear that! I usually have good luck with this recipe. Did you maybe cook the chicken for too long?
Looks great in the pic! Sometimes cooking times differ, I think it can get tricky. But yeah, sorry for ya, that sauce must’ve been off!
I loved this recipe! It’s quick and perfect for a weeknight meal. I didn’t have capers, used olives instead. Still good!
This is not chicken piccata, where’s the pasta? You need a side for that sauce! 😡
I followed the recipe but it turned out kinda bland. Maybe I should’ve added more spices?
I feel you! The recipe might be a bit too subtle for some tastes. Adding garlic or more herbs could help. Hope it turns out better next time!
Bland? Really? I thought the lemon and capers are suppose to give it flavor. Maybe your chicken was just too dry?
I don’t get all the fuss about this. It tastes just like any other chicken dish to me. Maybe I’m missing something, but I’ve tried better.
Not bad, but it needed more seasoning for my taste.
Yum! My husband is picky and he devoured it. Thanks!
Chickens should be fried harder, that’s the key.
I really don’t think frying harder is the answer. This recipe is all about the flavor of the sauce! 😒
Super easy to make! My kids ate it all. Not too sure about the capers tho?
Glad your kids liked it! Capers can be a bit weird, but they add a nice salty zing! What did they think of the lemon?
This was so good! I added garlic and it was delish!
Honestly, kinda bland. I expected more flavor with the lemon and capers. Might try adding garlic next time.
I totally agree! Adding garlic would make it so much better. Garlic makes everything taste good!
Ugh, my chicken burnt! Should’ve watched it closer. 😩
This was a game changer for my dinner parties! Thanks!
Y’all it was just okay. The sauce didn’t do it for me. Need more flavor.
My chicken was rubbery… what did I do wrong?! Help!
Rubbery chicken? Sounds like it was overcooked. Just cook it less next time!
Maybe you didn’t pound the chicken enough? It needs to be even thickness to cook right. Try again!
Very nice! I substituted the butter with oil and it still worked.
Substituting butter with oil? Really? I think that might change the flavor too much. But if it worked for you, good job I guess.
That’s a great idea! I’ve tried using oil too and it turned out good. Keep experimenting!
Just okay, nothing special. I’ve had better.
Wow, the lemon juice really makes this dish pop! So fresh and delicious. My kids loved it too.
I totally agree! The lemon juice is the secret ingredient for sure! Glad your kids liked it too!
Made this recipe today, but I forgot the lemon juice. It was still okay! 😂
Is this really a traditional dish? I thought it had cheese on it. Anyway good enough.
This recipe was super easy to follow! My family loved it, thanks!
Is this original? I thought Piccata was made with veal…🤔
Super quick. Wanna make again!
I’m not a good cook but this was easy enough for me!
That’s awesome! I’m glad it worked out for you. Cooking can be fun when it’s easy like this. Keep it up!
Where do you get capers? Never seen em, can I use something else?
So simple and quick! I added more butter though, can’t resist. 😋
Easy and quick! I didn’t have parsley so I skipped that step. Still yum!!!
This is a fantastic recipe! The chicken came out so juicy and flavorful. I added a pinch of garlic powder for some extra kick. Will definitely make again!
Okay, so I tried this, but it kinda turned out dry. Maybe I cooked it too long?
Lemon juice? That makes chicken??? LOL I thought you gotta use BBQ sauce for everything!! 😂
Trust me, lemon juice is a game changer! It really brightens up the chicken. BBQ sauce is overrated. 😂
This is seriously the best chicken piccata I’ve ever made! The sauce is to die for!
Yum!
This was a total hit at dinner last night! The flavors were on point! My family can’t stop raving about it.
Pretty easy to follow, but the sauce was a bit too tangy for my taste. Next time I might cut back on the lemon juice. But overall decent.
I think the tanginess is the best part! But I get it, everyone’s taste is different. Maybe try adding a bit of sugar to balance it out?
Not impressed. Felt like it needed something more… bland!
Easy recipe but my chicken ended up a bit dry. Maybe I’ll try less cooking time next time.
Chicken piccata? More like chicken pica-TOO MUCH! 😂 I loved it! The capers really made it special. Thanks for sharing!
You forgot the salt! We think just some basic seasoning would have made this better. Will not make again.
Honestly, pretty bland. I was expecting more flavor with the lemon and capers but it just didn’t do it for me.
Honestly, I think lemon with chicken is weird. Not my thing. Never again.
This was absolutely delicious! The lemon flavor was perfect!
Capers? What are those? 😕 I didn’t have any, used olives instead. Still tasty!