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–+ servings

Easy Lemon Chicken Piccata

Sally Thompson
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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 420 kcal

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: 1servingCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 38gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 620mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
Keyword chicken piccata, easy dinner, healthy dinner ideas, lemon chicken, quick recipe
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