Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally (or use chicken cutlets)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup flour (for light crispiness!)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor!)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (adds color and depth!)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Lemon-Butter Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (or white wine for extra depth!)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons!)
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (balances the acidity!)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for richness!)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional, for a creamier sauce!)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish!)
- Lemon slices for serving
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thin cutlets.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
2. Pan-Fry the Chicken
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Make the Lemon-Butter Sauce
- In the same pan, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth (or white wine) and scrape up any browned bits.
- Stir in lemon juice, capers, and honey/sugar. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Whisk in butter and heavy cream (if using), letting the sauce thicken slightly.
4. Combine & Serve
- Return the chicken cutlets to the pan, spooning sauce over them.
- Simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
- Serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed veggies!
Tips for the Best Chicken Piccata:
✔ Use thin chicken cutlets – They cook faster and absorb more flavor.
✔ Don’t skip the capers! – They add a salty, briny kick that balances the lemon.
✔ For extra crispiness, use a mix of flour and Parmesan cheese.
✔ Deglaze with white wine – It enhances the sauce with subtle depth.
✔ Want it creamier? Add a splash of heavy cream at the end!
