Lemon Chicken Piccata with Crispy Capers Recipe – A Quick and Elegant Dinner

Difficulty:

3/5

Serves:

4 PEOPLE

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Lemon Chicken Piccata with Crispy Capers Recipe

This Lemon Chicken Piccata with Crispy Capers is a vibrant twist on a classic Italian favorite. Featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts bathed in a tangy lemon-butter sauce, and topped with crunchy capers and fresh parsley, this dish balances bright citrus flavors with the rich, velvety sauce. Quick to prepare yet impressive enough for a dinner party, it’s a perfect combination of elegance and ease.

The Inspiration

Lemon Chicken Piccata has long been a staple of Italian-American cuisine, celebrated for its sharp citrus notes and silky butter sauce. Featured on Everyday Excellent with host Vanessa Gianfrancesco, the inspiration for this recipe came from wanting to elevate a weeknight dinner into something both flavorful and visually stunning. By crisping the capers separately, you introduce a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken and smooth sauce, while keeping the dish light and fresh. Vanessa Gianfrancesco emphasizes that a touch of zest in both the dredging flour and the sauce itself heightens the brightness, making this dish pop with flavor.

Ingredients

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
½ inch avocado oil
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, divided
½ cup chicken broth
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
3 tbsp capers, drained and dried
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Methods

Mix flour, lemon zest, and onion and garlic powders in a shallow tray.
Place chicken breasts between two pieces of parchment paper and pound flat with a kitchen mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan. Season chicken with salt and pepper and dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
Heat 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes, or until golden brown all over. Transfer to a wire rack set in a baking sheet to drain.
Add the chicken broth and lemon juice to the skillet and reduce by half, then add the chicken back to the skillet. Add in 4 tbsp cold butter in cubes and shake the pan to melt until a smooth and glossy sauce forms.
Meanwhile, heat ½ inch of avocado oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the dried capers and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined tray to drain.
Plate the chicken, pour over the sauce, and garnish with crispy capers and fresh parsley.

Serving Suggestions

Lemon Chicken Piccata pairs beautifully with light sides that complement the tangy sauce. Serve it over a bed of creamy risotto, garlic mashed potatoes, or buttered pasta to soak up the sauce. For a lighter option, roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or a simple arugula salad provide a fresh balance. A crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, highlights the citrus notes and cuts through the richness of the butter sauce.

This dish is equally perfect for entertaining or a cozy weeknight meal. For meal prep, the chicken and sauce can be cooked ahead of time and reheated gently, while the crispy capers should be fried just before serving to maintain their crunch.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Chicken Piccata with Crispy Capers is a perfect blend of zesty citrus, tender pan-seared chicken, and savory, buttery sauce topped with crunchy capers. Whether you’re searching for an easy chicken piccata recipe, a weeknight chicken dinner, or a restaurant-style lemon chicken at home, this recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.

Using simple, fresh ingredients like lemon, capers, chicken breasts, and butter ensures that the dish is approachable for home cooks while still feeling gourmet. The crispy capers add a unique texture that sets this recipe apart from traditional piccata. Plus, the lemon-butter sauce doubles as a flavorful complement for pasta, roasted vegetables, or a bed of rice, making it a versatile addition to any meal plan.

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