Description
Culinary magic meets Italian tradition in this classic chicken piccata, where tender cutlets dance with zesty lemon and tangy capers. Delicate flavors and simple ingredients combine to create a restaurant-worthy dish you’ll crave time and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, cut in half horizontally to make thin cutlets)
- ½ cup flour (all-purpose, for dredging)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- ½ cup white wine (dry) or chicken broth
- ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh, about 1–2 lemons)
- ¼ cup capers (brined, rinsed)
- 2 tbsps parsley (fresh, chopped)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Delicately season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then lightly dust with flour, ensuring excess is tapped off for a crisp, even coating.
- Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a golden cooking surface. Expertly place chicken cutlets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a beautiful bronze color and ensuring complete internal cooking.
- Deglaze and Create Sauce: Remove chicken to a warm plate. In the same skillet, pour wine and lemon juice, actively scraping pan’s browned fragments to incorporate rich, concentrated flavors. Introduce capers and remaining butter, allowing the liquid to gently simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes.
- Finishing: Return chicken to the skillet, generously coating each piece with the tangy, aromatic sauce. Let the cutlets warm through for an additional 1-2 minutes, melding flavors and ensuring optimal temperature.
- Presentation: Elegantly garnish with fresh parsley and bright lemon slices. Serve immediately while sauce is glossy and chicken remains succulent, presenting a classic Italian-inspired dish with vibrant, zesty notes.
Notes
- Shake off excess flour to prevent a thick, doughy layer and ensure a light, crispy exterior that doesn’t become heavy or pasty.
- Use medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning, watching pan temperature carefully to maintain perfect searing conditions.
- Scrape browned bits from the pan when adding wine or broth, as these caramelized pieces contain concentrated flavor that enhances the sauce’s depth and richness.
- Simmer sauce briefly to reduce and concentrate flavors, but avoid overcooking to maintain a bright, fresh taste and prevent sauce from becoming too thick or bitter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg