5.0 from 90 votes
Lemon Chicken Piccata
Lemon Chicken Piccata is an easy, yet elegant weeknight dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked in a lemon garlic butter sauce, and is delicious served with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 287 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts sliced in half to make 6 thin fillets
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons butter divided
- 3 Tablespoons shallot or yellow onion finely minced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 3 Tablespoons capers drained
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the flour in a shallow dish. Season the chicken filets with salt and pepper, then lightly dredge in the flour and shake off excess.
- Heat a large, heavy skillet to medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. When the butter has melted, place 3 chicken fillets in the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate. Add another drizzle of oil if needed, and repeat with the remaining chicken fillets. If the chicken is browning too quickly, reduce heat to medium.
- Carefully pour out any excess oil, but do not clean the pan. Over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic until translucent, about 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons butter, and capers. Bring to a boil and return chicken to the pan. Simmer for about 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened, spooning the sauce on top of the chicken. If the sauce thickens too quickly, add a splash of broth.
- Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve right away with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices as garnish, if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Watch the salt. The capers, butter, and chicken broth all contain salt, and the lemon will also intensify the flavor of the salt. Therefore, take it easy on the salt and taste your lemon chicken piccata just before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Making enough for a crowd: This recipe doubles easily, just sauté the chicken in batches so you don’t crowd the pan.
- Add a splash of wine. After cooking the onion and garlic, you can also add a splash of white wine for extra tanginess and complexity.
- Storing and reheating: Any leftover lemon chicken piccata can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the chicken and all the sauce in a cold skillet, add a splash of broth and reheat covered over medium low heat, flipping occasionally until the chicken piccata is warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Calories
287kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
0.3g
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
309mg
(13%)
Potassium
482mg
(14%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
277IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
19mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 287
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 287kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 309mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 482mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 277IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.