Chicken Piccata is one of those simple recipes that is ready in under 30 minutes, yet is full of flavor and is going to become a frequent option in your dinner rotation. With a nice mix of salty, lemony and buttery, it checks all the boxes of being an ideal dinner meal.

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INGREDIENTS :

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin into 6 thin slices total
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Corn starch or flour for coating
• 2-3 TB oil for frying
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1-2 TB (Tablespoons) capers
• 2-3 TB butter
• Lemon zest
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional, I use Pinot Grigio)
• Grated Parmesan, for topping

STEPS :

1. Either purchase thin slices chicken breast fillets or slice regular sized chicken breasts into 3 thin slices. You can also use a meat mallet/tenderizer to beat them thinner.
2. Salt and pepper your chicken breasts and heat your oil for frying in your pan of choice. Coat each breast in either cornstarch or flour and begin frying on medium to medium-high heat until golden brown on each side. Set aside once golden.
3. Melt your butter in your pan and add your capers. Sauté for a couple of minutes. I also like to add a splash of caper juice at this time as well.
4. Grate in your garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Then add your optional wine and let the alcohol cook out for about 2-3 minutes. Add your half and half or heavy cream and mix.
5. Grate your lemon zest into the pan and squeeze in your lemon juice. Mix continuously. Your sauce may separate or look like it’s curdled at this time due to the addition of lemon juice, but don’t worry. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
6. Add your browned chicken back in and cook for 1-2 more minutes on each side. Just long enough to allow the sauce flavors to penetrate the browned coating on your chicken pieces.
7. Grate some fresh Parmesan on top and serve with a side like mashed potatoes, pasta or white rice.

Either purchase thin sliced chicken breasts, or, use full size chicken breasts and slice them thin. I normally get 3 thin pieces fro each chicken breast. So in total for this recipe, I will have 6 thin slices.

Salt and pepper both sides. You can also use other seasonings, however we prefer only using salt and pepper in this recipe for seasoning our chicken because we enjoy the other flavors that this recipe provides.

Coat your chicken slices in cornstarch on both sides. You can also use flour. However, cornstarch will give you a crispier crust.

Heat oil in a pan on medium heat and pan fry your chicken breasts on both sides until golden. Do not overcrowd the pan, otherwise your chicken will release too much water and not allow for a proper golden sear.

Once your chicken is browned, remove and set aside. Melt butter in your pan and add your capers. Pan sear them for a few minutes.

Add grated or pressed garlic and saute for 30-60 seconds so it does not burn.

Add your wine. The wine is optional. If using wine, I prefer to use a Pinot Grigio. If you end up using the wine, give it about 2-3 minutes to boil out the alcohol, but leave behind that flavor profile.

Proceed to add your half and half, milk or heavy cream. Continuously stir.

Add your lemon juice. This may cause your sauce to curdle or separate for a little bit. If it does, do not worry. It will all come together in the end. Keep mixing/stirring.

Zest your lemon. You can also do this before adding the lemon juice so that you zest the same lemon you’re pressing the juice out of. Saute for a few more minutes.

Add your chicken back into the pan with your sauce. Allow 1-2 minutes to cook on each side so that the sauce flavor has time to penetrate into the golden chicken crust.

Grate some parmesan or asiago cheese on top, and begin plating.

Pair with a side of rice, pasta or mashed potatoes. You can also top it with chives, parsley or scallions. Enjoy!

LINKS TO ITEMS I LOVED USING DURING THIS RECIPE :

All Clad Pan – https://amzn.to/4fb7Ujx

Flat White Dinner Plates – https://amzn.to/3DkTuQD

SHUN Knife – https://amzn.to/4gw8tWv

Zester – https://amzn.to/4iuMD7h

Citrus Juicer – https://amzn.to/4g5YCXC

Cheese Grater – https://amzn.to/49ykngj