Chicken Piccata Recipe: A Classic and Simple Italian Dish for Dinner

This chicken piccata recipe serves four people and takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store.

Ingredients:

- 4 boneless chicken breasts

- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

- 2 eggs, beaten

- 4 tablespoons olive oil

- 4 tablespoons butter

- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

- 1/2 cup chicken broth

- 1/4 cup capers

- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

- Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and gently pound them until they are about 1/4 inch thick. This helps the meat cook evenly and stay tender.

2. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Put flour in a shallow dish and dip each piece of chicken until it is well coated.

3. Beat eggs in another shallow dish. Dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, making sure both sides are covered.

4. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown.

5. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate. Keep it warm by covering with foil.

6. In the same pan, add butter and let it melt. Pour in lemon juice and chicken broth. Stir well and let the sauce bubble for 2 minutes.

7. Add capers to the sauce and mix gently. Return the chicken to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes.

8. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish before serving. Your homemade chicken piccata is ready to enjoy.

These helpful tips will make your chicken piccata recipe turn out perfect every time. Follow these suggestions to avoid common mistakes and create restaurant-quality results.

- Pound the Chicken Properly: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten the chicken breasts. This step ensures even cooking and prevents tough, chewy meat. Keep the thickness uniform across each piece.

- Control the Heat: Cook the chicken over medium-high heat to get a nice golden color without burning. If the heat is too high, the outside will cook too fast while the inside stays raw.

- Don't Skip the Flour: The flour coating helps create a crispy outside and thickens the sauce naturally. Make sure to shake off excess flour before cooking.

- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice tastes much better than bottled juice. Roll the lemon on the counter before cutting to get more juice out.

- Save the Pan Drippings: Keep all the brown bits in the pan after cooking chicken. These pieces add rich flavor to your sauce.

- Rinse the Capers: Capers can be very salty, so rinse them with cold water before adding to the dish. This prevents the sauce from becoming too salty.

The right side dishes can make your chicken piccata recipe even more delicious. These options complement the tangy lemon flavors perfectly and create a balanced meal.

- Angel Hair Pasta: This thin pasta works wonderfully with chicken piccata because it soaks up the lemon sauce well. Cook it just until tender and toss with a little olive oil.

- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting base that balances the bright acid in the dish. Add roasted garlic for extra flavor that pairs beautifully with lemon.

- Steamed Broccoli: Fresh green broccoli adds color and nutrition to your plate. Steam it lightly so it stays crisp and bright green.

- Rice Pilaf: Fluffy rice pilaf absorbs the delicious sauce and makes the meal more filling. Choose a simple version with herbs and butter.

- Caesar Salad: A crisp Caesar salad with crunchy croutons provides a fresh contrast to the rich chicken. The tangy dressing works well with the lemon flavors.

- Roasted Asparagus: Tender asparagus spears roasted with olive oil and salt make an elegant side dish. They cook quickly and add a sophisticated touch to dinner.

- Buttered Green Beans: Fresh green beans cooked with butter and almonds create a colorful and crunchy side. The nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the tangy lemon sauce.

- Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves make a light Italian salad. This simple dish adds freshness and complements the Mediterranean flavors.

- Herb-Roasted Potatoes: Small potatoes roasted with rosemary and thyme become crispy outside and fluffy inside. They soak up the delicious chicken piccata sauce beautifully.

- Sautéed Spinach: Baby spinach cooked quickly with garlic and olive oil provides healthy greens to your meal. The mild flavor works well without competing with the main dish.

Many home cooks worry about wasting food when they make too much dinner. Leftover chicken piccata can seem tricky to store because of the delicate lemon sauce. However, proper storage methods can keep your meal fresh and tasty for several days.

Store leftover chicken piccata in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. Place the chicken and sauce in airtight containers or cover tightly with plastic wrap. The dish will stay fresh for up to three days when stored properly in the cold refrigerator.

When you want to eat the leftovers, reheat them gently in a pan over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick. You can also reheat portions in the microwave, but use short intervals and stir frequently to prevent the chicken from becoming tough. Never leave cooked chicken at room temperature for more than two hours to avoid food safety problems.