Chicken Piccata Recipe also known as the classic Picatta Recipe is a famous Italian-American dish. Thin golden-fried chicken breasts are cooked in a bright lemon-caper butter sauce. It is one of the most loved chicken entrees that is ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for Dinner en Blanc, weeknight chicken dinner recipes, and even keto meals.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Main Dish Recipes
- Diet: Low-Carb / Keto friendly
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts — pounded thin
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (use almond flour for keto)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
For the Piccata Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter — cold, divided
- 4 cloves garlic — minced
- ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice — about 2 lemons
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tbsp capers — drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp lemon zest
For Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh parsley — chopped
- 1 lemon — sliced thin
- Pasta, rice, or cauliflower rice for serving
How to Make Chicken Piccata — Step by Step
Step 1 — Pound the Chicken
Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to ¼ inch thickness. Pat dry with paper towels. Dry chicken gives the best golden crust.
Step 2 — Season and Dredge
Mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour and shake off the excess.
Keto Tip: Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour for a low-carb version of this poultry recipe.
Step 3 — Pan Fry the Chicken
Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F inside). Remove and set aside covered with foil.
Tip: Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches for the best results in all chicken dishes recipes.
Step 4 — Make the Sauce
In the same pan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the pan. Pour in lemon juice and chicken broth. Add capers. Simmer and reduce for 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 5 — Finish with Butter
Remove pan from heat. Add remaining 3 tablespoons cold butter one at a time and whisk until the sauce is smooth and silky. Stir in lemon zest.
Tip: Always add butter off the heat so the sauce does not break.
Step 6 — Plate and Serve
Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over each piece. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve over pasta or cauliflower rice. Beautiful for a Dinner en Blanc presentation!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 342 kcal
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Piccata
- Pound thin and even — Even thickness is the key rule for all great poultry recipes. Aim for ¼ inch.
- Use fresh lemons only — Bottled lemon juice is flat and bitter. Fresh lemon defines a true Picatta Recipe.
- Cold butter off the heat — This makes the sauce glossy and velvety like restaurant chicken entrees.
- No wine? — Replace wine with extra broth plus 1 tsp white wine vinegar for alcohol-free chicken dinner recipes.
- Storage — Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth. Freezes well for 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicken Piccata keto friendly?
Yes! Just swap flour for almond flour and serve over cauliflower rice. It is one of the best keto poultry recipes available.
What is the meaning of Piccata?
In Italian, piccata means meat that is sliced thin, sautéed, and served in a lemon-butter sauce. The Picatta Recipe method also works with veal or fish.
What wine goes with Chicken Piccata?
A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly. Great choice for an elegant Dinner en Blanc table.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Fry the chicken and make the sauce separately. Combine and reheat gently before serving. A great option for meal prep chicken dinner recipes.
