Lemon Chicken Piccata

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This Lemon Chicken Piccata is a bright, flavorful dish made with tender pan-seared chicken and a silky lemon butter sauce. Briny capers and fresh lemon juice give the sauce a bold, zesty taste that perfectly complements the juicy chicken. It’s an elegant yet simple meal that tastes restaurant-quality but is easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

Prep Time20

Cook Time30

Total Time50

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Keyword: capers chicken recipe, chicken with lemon sauce, classic piccata, easy chicken skillet dinner, lemon chicken piccata

Cooking Method: Pan-Frying, Stovetop

Diet: High-Protein

Servings:

Calories: 303kcal

Author: MelanieCooks.com

Equipment

Large skillet
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Tongs or spatula

Ingredients

3 large skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into ½-inch thick medallions
¼ salt and black pepper to taste
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil plus more if needed
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
½ lemon thinly sliced, optional
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp capers drained and rinsed
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley minced

Instructions

Season the chicken medallions with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour and shake off any excess.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side, working in batches if needed. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
Carefully pour off most of the oil from the skillet, leaving a thin layer in the pan.
Add the minced garlic and cook briefly, about 20 seconds, until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the lemon slices and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Cook the sauce for 5–8 minutes until slightly reduced, then stir in the lemon juice and capers. Continue simmering until the sauce thickens slightly.
Add the butter and swirl it into the sauce until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the parsley and remove from heat.
Return the chicken to the skillet or place it on serving plates and spoon the lemon caper sauce over the top before serving.

Notes

Adding butter at the end gives the sauce a silky texture and balances the lemon flavor.
Serve with pasta, rice, or roasted potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutrition