Lemon Piccata Chicken (Chicken Piccata)

This quick and easy Lemon Chicken Piccata combines pan-fried chicken cutlets with a velvety, tangy lemon butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a simple yet elegant Italian American dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

 

The Best Chicken Piccata Recipe

With each mouthwatering bite of our classic chicken piccata, you’ll be transported straight to Italy. Though the name may sound fancy, this recipe is so easy, and it can be on the table in under half an hour. It starts with tender, golden brown chicken cutlets that are simply pan-seared in a little olive oil. Then, they are drizzled with luscious, buttery white wine and caper sauce, which gives them a punch of amazing zesty flavor. 

And the best part? This chicken dish isn’t just delicious; it’s versatile too. You can pair it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, buttery pasta, or a crisp salad for a complete meal the entire family will devour. Whether you find yourself needing a tasty dish for a dinner party or just craving a taste of Italy on a weeknight, you just can’t beat this easy and delicious chicken piccata. If you’re looking for another Italian favorite, be sure to check out our creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala.

Why We Love This Recipe for Chicken Piccata

• Simple yet delicious – You can’t beat tender, juicy chicken cutlets smothered in the buttery lemon-caper sauce.
• Quick and easy- Made with simple ingredients, you can have this dish on the table in just 20 minutes, from prep to plate. 
• Family-friendly- The mild flavors make it perfect for the whole family, even the little ones. 

Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe Ingredients

• Chicken- You’ll want to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. 
• All purpose flour – Helps dry out the surface of the chicken so it gets crispy. It also helps thicken the sauce.
• Olive oil – Used to pan-sear the chicken. Olive oil adds great flavor, but vegetable oil will work if that’s what you have on hand. 
• Unsalted butter- Creates a velvety texture in the sauce. 
• Finely chopped shallots and minced garlic – Gives the sauce amazing flavors. You don’t want to skip them.
• Dry white wine – Deglazes the pan and loosens up the browned bits that create the sauce. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work well. 
• Chicken stock- We use stock because it has a richer taste than chicken broth, but you can use either.  
• Lemon juice – Classic piccata ingredient that adds acidity to help balance the richness of the chicken. 
• Capers – They add a pop of salty flavor to the buttery sauce.
• Kosher salt and cracked black pepper 
• Fresh parsley – For garnish

How to make Lemon Chicken Piccata

Step One: Dredge the Chicken

• Cut the boneless chicken breasts in half horizontally. Using a meat mallet, pound them into ½-inch thick pieces with even thickness. Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. Season the chicken evenly with salt and pepper. 
• Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dip the pieces of chicken in the flour one at a time, coating them well on both sides. Remove the chicken and shake off any excess flour. 

Tip: To save time, you can buy chicken cutlets, and then you won’t have to pound them out yourself.

Step Two: Pan-fry the Chicken

• Add the olive oil to a high-sided large skillet and cook the chicken on medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165F. 
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Carefully wipe out the pan to remove any remaining olive oil, but do not wash it. 

Step Three: Make the Lemony Sauce

• Return the pan to the stove over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter along with the shallots. Cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the shallots are tender. 
• Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. 
• Deglaze the pan with the white wine by scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
• Add the chicken stock, fresh lemon juice, and capers, and bring the sauce to a simmer. 
• Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter and whisk to combine. 

Step Four: Plate and Serve

• Plate the chicken and pour the lemon butter sauce directly over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices, and serve immediately. 

What is Chicken Piccata?

The word “piccata” is an Italian word that means cooked in a tangy sauce made with lemon juice, butter, and spices. It’s usually made with chicken or veal cutlets. Chicken piccata is a dish where chicken cutlets are pounded thin, then pan-seared and simmered in a lemony, buttery sauce with capers.

Suggestions and Alternatives

• Other herbs – Experiment with different herbs in the sauce, such as fresh thyme, rosemary, or tarragon, for added depth of flavor. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Veggies – Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes. You can also add a handful of baby spinach or arugula to the sauce just before serving for a fresh burst of color
• Chicken – Replace the chicken breasts with thinly sliced turkey or veal cutlets. You can also add cooked shrimp or scallops for a seafood twist.
• Nuts – Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds can add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the dish.
• Creamy sauce – For a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk towards the end of cooking.

How to Store Lemon Piccata Chicken

Chicken piccata is best enjoyed immediately after it is prepared. If you would like to make it in advance, I recommend storing the crispy chicken cutlets and chicken piccata sauce separately in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. You can also freeze leftovers for up to a couple of months.

What to Serve with Piccata Chicken

You can serve chicken piccata with almost any side dish. Here are some of our favorite choices: 

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered pasta (such as spaghetti or linguine)
• Steamed vegetables (such as broccoli, asparagus, or green beans)
• Crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
• Roasted potatoes or roasted vegetables
• Rice pilaf or quinoa
• Grilled or roasted asparagus spears
• Sautéed spinach or kale

Recipe for Chicken Piccata FAQs

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Cornflakes Chicken Tenders
• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
• Crack Chicken Soup
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
• Neiman Marcus Salad
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
• Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken
• Copycat Chick-fil-a Chicken