Chicken Piccata is an Italian-American classic dish known for its tangy, buttery sauce and tender chicken. Made with simple ingredients like lemon, capers, and white wine, perfect on a busy weeknight.
What Is Chicken Piccata?
Chicken Piccata is a dish featuring thinly pounded chicken breasts dredged in flour, pan-fried until golden, and then simmered in a tangy, velvety sauce. The sauce is made with lemon juice, chicken broth, white wine, butter, and capers, offering a perfect balance of bright acidity and rich creaminess. It’s often served with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Piccata
To make your Chicken Piccata truly restaurant-quality, keep these tips in mind:
- Pound the Chicken Evenly: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures they cook uniformly and stay tender.
- Don’t Skip the Flour Dredge: Lightly coating the chicken in flour before frying helps create a golden crust and slightly thickens the sauce.
- Deglaze the Pan Properly: After frying the chicken, deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth to lift those flavorful browned bits into the sauce.
- Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a world of difference. Avoid bottled lemon juice, which can taste artificial.
- Balance the Sauce: If the sauce is too tangy, a small pinch of sugar or extra butter can mellow the flavors.
Delicious Variations of Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata is endlessly adaptable, and you can easily tweak the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs:
- Creamy Chicken Piccata: Add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of crème fraîche to the sauce for extra richness.
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan Piccata: Substitute chicken with tofu or seitan, use vegetable broth, and replace butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Protein Swaps: Swap chicken for turkey, veal, or even salmon for a unique twist on this classic dish.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
How to Serve Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata pairs beautifully with a variety of sides that complement its bold, tangy flavors. Here are some ideas:
- Pasta: Angel hair, linguine, or fettuccine tossed in olive oil or butter.
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes or crispy roasted baby potatoes.
- Vegetables: Steamed asparagus, sautéed spinach, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
- Bread: Warm, crusty Italian bread for soaking up the sauce.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Piccata
Storing:
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Chicken Piccata in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating:
- Stovetop: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to refresh the sauce.
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to avoid overcooking.
Recipe FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Chicken Piccata
What is the origin of Chicken Piccata?
Chicken Piccata has Italian roots, with “piccata” referring to a cooking style involving thinly sliced meat sautéed and served in a lemony sauce. While veal piccata is more traditional in Italy, chicken has become the preferred choice in America.
Can I make Chicken Piccata without capers?
Yes! While capers add a signature briny flavor, you can substitute them with chopped green olives or simply omit them if you prefer.
What wine pairs well with Chicken Piccata?
A crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay complements the dish perfectly.
Why is my sauce too thin?
If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken. Alternatively, whisk in a small cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) for quick results.
Can I make Chicken Piccata ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare Chicken Piccata in advance and reheat it when ready to serve. Keep the chicken and sauce separate for best results.
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata is an Italian-American classic dish known for its tangy, buttery sauce and tender chicken. Made with simple ingredients like lemon, capers, and white wine, perfect on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 large chicken breasts (sliced into 4 thinner cutlets)
- Seasoning: 1/4 tsp garlic powder, salt & pepper
- Coating: Flour for dredging
- Sauce Base: 1/4 cup chicken broth or dry white wine, 1 tbsp brined capers (drained)
- Richness: 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp lemon juice, zest of 1 lemon
- Cooking Fats: 4 tbsp butter (divided), 1 tbsp olive oil
- Garnish: Chopped parsley, grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Butterfly the chicken breasts and cut in half to make 4 cutlets. Trim excess fat.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Lightly dredge in flour.
- Heat 2 tbsp butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Off heat, add chicken broth (or wine), lemon juice, zest, remaining butter, and capers to the skillet. Scrape up the browned bits.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring the pan back to medium heat.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes, letting the sauce thicken and the chicken cook through. Adjust consistency with extra broth if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or Parmesan if desired. Serve hot over pasta, potatoes, or veggies.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 507Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 117mgSodium 497mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 2gSugar 4gProtein 24g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Chicken Piccata is a timeless dish that’s both elegant and approachable. With its luscious lemon-caper sauce and tender chicken, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. By following the tips, variations, and serving suggestions in this guide, you’ll have everything you need to make a truly memorable Chicken Piccata.
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