Description
This easy lemon chicken piccata is a bright, flavorful dish that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in under 40 minutes. Juicy pan-seared chicken is coated in a silky lemon butter sauce with capers, making it perfect for a quick dinner, easy recipe night, or elegant dinner ideas. Whether you’re looking for comforting food ideas or a fresh, healthy-ish meal, this dish delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 lemon, sliced
3 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
8 ounces spaghetti (optional)
Instructions
1. Pound the chicken breasts to about 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking, then season with salt and pepper and lightly dredge in flour.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, melt a bit of butter and sauté garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan, letting it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Add lemon juice, lemon slices, and capers, then let the sauce simmer gently.
6. Stir in remaining butter until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
7. Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over it, simmering for 2–3 minutes.
8. Cook pasta separately if using, then serve chicken over pasta or your preferred side.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor—bottled juice won’t give the same brightness.
Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking the chicken to ensure a golden crust.
Add butter at the end of cooking to keep the sauce smooth and prevent separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: easy dinner, quick recipe, lemon chicken, chicken piccata, healthy dinner ideas