Chicken Piccata

This restaurant quality chicken dish cooks in a skillet with a delicious lemon buttery sauce for a simple meal idea. The ingredients are simple and you will love how easy chicken piccata recipe is.

I make a lot of chicken recipes and this one is always on the menu. If you love this skillet chicken recipe, you may also love Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Fajitas, Tex-Mex Skillet Chicken Recipe and Brown Sugar Skillet Chicken.

What is Chicken Piccata?

Chicken Piccata is a lemon sauce dish that is cooked in a skillet for a simple meal idea. Piccata means pounded flat which is a way the meat is prepare to coat in flour and cook in lemon and butter sauce.

This recipe can also be made with shrimp or veal. The bright lemon chicken piccata sauce is taste amazing spooned over pasta and is ready in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients 

• Skinless Chicken Breasts – Sliced in half to make 4 thin pieces. You can also boneless chicken thighs
• Garlic Powder – See The Best Garlic Powder Substitute if you are out
• All Purpose Flour – This is to dredge the chicken in for a delicious coating. You can also use gluten-free flour as an easy substitute.
• Butter – We used unsalted butter. This is added to the skillet to cook the chicken. You can also add in a tablespoon of olive oil.
• Dry White Wine – You can use 1 ½ cups of Chicken broth instead of the white wine in this recipe if you prefer.
• Chicken Broth – If you prefer a creamy sauce, add in ½ cup heavy cream and reduce the chicken broth.
• Lemon Juice – Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in this sauce. 
• Capers – Brinley, salty flavors blends perfectly with the lemon

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Chicken Piccata

Step 1 – Gently pound the boneless chicken breasts until they are approximately ½ inch thick with a meat mallet or rolling pin. 

Step 2 – In a shallow bowl, stir together the flour, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Dip each chicken cutlets into the flour, coating all sides, and gently shake off any excess flour mixture. 

Step 3 – Add 2 tablespoons of butter to a large skillet and melt over medium high heat. Cook the chicken pieces on both sides until browned (4-5 minutes).  Remove the chicken from the skillet to a separate plate. 

Step 4 – Reduce the heat to medium. Add in white wine and chicken broth.  Scrape off any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer on medium low for 4-5 minutes. 

Step 5 – Reduce the heat to low and stir in the remaining butter, capers, lemon zest, lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of Salt and black pepper. We also add in lemon slices for even more flavor.

Step 6 – Add the chicken back to the pan and coat it with the sauce in the skillet. Serve the lemon chicken piccata warm topped with the fresh parsley and shredded parmesan cheese. Enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• Prepare Chicken – Anytime we cook chicken breasts, we like to ensure that the chicken is about the same size. We recommend pounding the chicken or filet so that it is about the same thickness which helps to ensure that it cooks evenly and about the same time.
• Skillet – To make this Chicken Piccata dish, you can use any type of large skillet. We like cooking in a Cast Iron Skillet as it cooks the chicken with the best texture and flavor.
• Cooking Chicken – Cooking time will vary but to ensure that your chicken is fully cooked, make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Internal temp should reach 165 degrees when it is ready to serve.

What to Serve With Chicken Piccata?

Chicken Piccata is a delicious meal that can be served with many easy side dish recipes. Add these side dish combinations to make a complete meal.

• Instant pot White Rice Recipe or Stick of Butter Rice and Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Green Beans and Bacon and Air Fryer Garlic Bread Recipe
• Easy Zucchini Noodles Recipe or Angel Pasta and Steamed Asparagus Recipe 

Frequently Asked Questions