Quick Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata
A speedy and flavorful chicken piccata recipe ready in 20 minutes, featuring a tangy lemon and garlicky sauce with capers. Perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound or 450 grams), pounded thin
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 grams) for dredging (can swap with almond flour for gluten-free)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra virgin)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons (about ¼ cup or 60 ml)
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth (180 ml)
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound to about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Spread the flour on a large plate. Lightly coat each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Warm olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter foams, add the chicken breasts. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F or 74°C). Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any brown bits from the pan bottom.
- Stir in capers and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Let it reduce slightly for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens a bit.
- Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to add richness and a silky texture.
- Nestle the chicken breasts back into the sauce and spoon the sauce over them. Let everything warm together for a minute or two so the flavors meld.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with a drizzle of the sauce.
Notes
Pound chicken evenly for quick, even cooking. Do not overcrowd the pan when searing; cook in batches if needed. Watch garlic closely to avoid burning. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer to thicken. Butter added off heat makes sauce silky. For gluten-free, swap all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend. Chicken thighs can be used but require longer cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken piccata, lemon garlic chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, capers, weeknight meal, gluten-free adaptable