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4.9 from 255 votes

Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

This flavor-packed lemon chicken piccata comes together in 20 minutes! Chicken cutlets are seared in a bit of extra virgin olive oil, then simmered in a bright lemony sauce with capers. I use a little dry white wine in the piccata sauce, but if you do not use alcohol, substitute with an equal amount of chicken broth. Toss chicken piccata with pasta, or serve it with lemon rice, boiled potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, or a colorful Shirazi salad.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 348 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast halves, butterflied into thinner cutlets, then cut in half cross-wise
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup flour for dredging, use whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or gluten free flour of your choice
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, I used Private Reserve Greek EVOO
  • 3 tbsp ghee, or butter, if you prefer
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup white wine, (or chicken broth if you don't want to use wine)
  • 3 to 4 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oven to 200 degrees F (this is to keep the chicken warm as you work in batches).
  2. Pat the chicken breast pieces dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. Lightly coat the chicken on both sides with the flour (shake off any excess flour).
  3. In a large cast iron skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Cook the chicken on 1 side for about 3 minutes, then turn over to cook for another 3 minutes (do this in batches and do not crowd the pan).To keep the chicken warm, place the cooked chicken pieces in an oven-save dish and keep them in warm oven while you finish.
  4. Prepare the lemon sauce. In the same skillet (over medium heat), add a little bit more extra virgin olive oil. Add the ghee (or butter, if you prefer). When the ghee melts, stir in the lemon juice, wine and capers. Bring the sauce to a boil, scrapping off any browned bits from cooking the chicken earlier.
  5. Now, return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Lower the heat, and let simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, basting the top of the chicken with the sauce.
  6. Remove from the heat and garnish with parsley. Serve with plain orzo and your favorite salad (more suggested sides in post).

Notes

  • Toss chicken piccata with pasta (like orzo), or serve it with
  • lemon rice
  • , Lebanese rice, herby
  • boiled potatoes
  • , crispy
  • Brussels sprouts
  • , or a colorful
  • Shirazi salad
  • .
  • Butterfly the chicken breasts. Because chicken breasts can be thick and uneven, it's a good idea to butterfly them so that they cook quickly and unevenly. This means to split them in half horizontally, creating thinner cutlets. Here is how: start with a sharp knife. Then place your hand on top of the chicken, and carefully slice horizontally. Once you have the thin cutlets, if you need to, you can cut them in halves cross-wise, ending up with smaller pieces (so if you started with 2 large breast halves,  you can end up with up to 8 smaller pieces)
  • For Mediterranean-diet friendly version, use whole wheat flour for dredging.
  • Serve chicken piccata with: Toss chicken piccata with pasta (like orzo), or serve it with lemon rice, Lebanese rice, herby boiled potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, or a colorful Shirazi salad.
  • Leftovers & Storage: You can store leftover chicken piccata in a tight-lid container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or so.
  • Visit our online shop to browse our extra virgin olive oils, all-natural and organic spice bundles, and much more!

Nutrition Information

Calories 348kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 3.1g (1%) Protein 26.3g (53%) Saturated Fat 8.1g (41%) Cholesterol 101.4mg (34%) Potassium 461.8mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Vitamin A 34IU (1%) Vitamin C 9.5mg (11%) Calcium 40.4mg (4%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 348

% Daily Value*

Calories 348kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 3.1g 1%
Protein 26.3g 53%
Saturated Fat 8.1g 41%
Cholesterol 101.4mg 34%
Potassium 461.8mg 10%
Fiber 1g 4%
Vitamin A 34IU 1%
Vitamin C 9.5mg 11%
Calcium 40.4mg 4%
Iron 1.2mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.