Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe

The Zesty Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe You’ll Love

Have you ever craved a chicken piccata with lemon sauce that dances across your taste buds with zesty elegance?

Tender chicken breasts beckon with their golden-brown allure, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Mediterranean influences shine through in this classic Italian-American dish, blending bright citrus notes with rich, buttery undertones.

Capers add a delightful punch of briny complexity to each carefully crafted bite.

Salt and pepper create a simple yet powerful seasoning that complements the delicate chicken perfectly.

Lean protein meets tangy sauce in a harmonious combination that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Highlights

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce Highlights
  • Savor Quick Gourmet Delight: Transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal professional cooking skills required.
  • Master Flexible Cooking Technique: Allows versatile preparation that can adapt to different skill levels and kitchen equipment, making it accessible for home cooks of all experiences.
  • Create Restaurant-Style Meal at Home: Delivers impressive flavors and presentation without needing advanced culinary training, perfect for special dinners or elevating weeknight meals.
  • Enjoy Nutritious and Flavorful Option: Provides a balanced protein-rich meal with zesty lemon sauce that adds excitement to traditional chicken recipes, appealing to health-conscious food lovers.

Ingredients for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Ingredients for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
Protein:
  • Chicken Breast Halves: Lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein in this classic Italian-inspired dish.
Coating Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley, Salt: A flavorful mixture that creates a crispy and golden exterior for the chicken.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Egg Substitute, White Wine, Lemon Juice, Hot Pepper Sauce, Unsalted Butter: These ingredients provide moisture, depth of flavor, and a tangy brightness to the chicken and sauce.
Aromatics and Seasoning:
  • Garlic, Olive Oil: These ingredients add a rich, aromatic base that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

Instructions for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Instructions for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Step 1: Tenderize and Marinate Chicken

Gently pound chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet. Create a zesty marinade by whisking together:
  • Egg substitute
  • White wine
  • Lemon juice
  • Minced garlic
  • Hot pepper sauce

Let chicken soak in this flavorful mixture for maximum taste infusion.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

Prepare a delectable coating by mixing in a separate bowl:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt

Dredge each chicken piece through the flour mixture, then dip in the marinade, and coat again with flour for an extra crispy exterior.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Cook chicken pieces until they turn golden brown and develop a beautiful crisp exterior. Cook 3-5 minutes per side, ensuring juices run clear.

Transfer cooked chicken to a warm plate and keep covered.

Step 4: Craft Zesty Lemon Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and add:
  • Remaining white wine
  • Lemon juice

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, reducing the sauce until it thickens and concentrates flavors.

The sauce should become slightly syrupy and intense.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Drizzle the tangy lemon sauce directly over the golden chicken.

The sauce will add moisture and an extra layer of bright, citrusy flavor. Plate immediately while hot and aromatic, ready to delight your taste buds.

Pro Tips on Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Pro Tips on Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
  • Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness for even cooking and tender results.
  • Use a light flour coating to create a delicate, crispy exterior without overwhelming the chicken's natural flavor.
  • Control skillet heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning the coating or drying out the meat.
  • Create a rich, tangy lemon sauce by reducing wine and lemon juice to concentrate flavors and develop a smooth texture.
  • Serve chicken immediately after drizzling sauce to maintain optimal temperature and crispy texture.

Variations to Try with Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Variations to Try with Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
  • Gluten-Free Zest: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal for a celiac-friendly version. Use tamari instead of traditional sauces to maintain flavor complexity.
  • Vegan Herb Delight: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or seitan, using plant-based egg replacer and nutritional yeast for similar protein and flavor profile. Swap butter with olive oil or vegan margarine.
  • Low-Carb Mediterranean: Use thin sliced turkey breast or chicken thighs instead of breast. Replace flour coating with ground almond or crushed pork rinds for crispy texture. Add extra herbs like oregano and thyme for authentic Mediterranean taste.

Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
  • Select a lightly oaked Chardonnay with bright citrus notes that will complement the lemony sauce and cut through the richness of the buttery chicken.
  • Create golden, crispy potato wedges seasoned with fresh parsley and thyme to mirror the herb profile in the chicken's coating and provide a perfect textural contrast.
  • Craft a light, peppery salad dressed with a bright lemon vinaigrette that echoes the piccata's zesty flavors and adds a fresh, green element to the plate.

Storage Advice for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

Storage Advice for Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
  • Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
  • Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
  • Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat on 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature midway to ensure even warming.

FAQs

FAQs
  • What makes chicken piccata unique?

The combination of tangy lemon sauce, crispy flour-coated chicken, and the balance of wine and butter creates a light yet flavorful Italian-inspired dish that’s both elegant and simple.

  • Is chicken piccata difficult to prepare?

Not at all. With careful preparation of chicken thickness, proper coating techniques, and attention to sauce reduction, even home cooks can successfully create this restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.

  • Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

While chicken breasts are traditional, boneless chicken thighs can work. They’re typically more tender and juicy, though you’ll need to adjust cooking times slightly to ensure they’re fully cooked.

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Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe

Chicken Piccata With Lemon Sauce Recipe


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4.5 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Zesty chicken piccata with lemon sauce combines Italian culinary tradition and bright, tangy flavors. Crisp chicken cutlets drizzled with a silky lemon-caper sauce invite you to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 halves boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 4 oz/113 g each)
  • 1/2 cup egg substitute
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 5 tbsps lemon juice (divided)
  • 2 tbsps (plus an additional 1/4 cup) dry white wine or chicken broth (divided)
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter
  • 3 tsps olive oil (divided)
  • 1/4 cup freshly minced parsley
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare chicken breasts by pounding them to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Create two separate seasoning stations: one with egg substitute, wine, lemon juice, garlic, and hot pepper sauce; another with flour, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt.
  2. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in flour mixture, then dip into egg mixture, and re-coat with flour. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat (approximately 350°F). Cook chicken for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer cooked pieces to a warm plate and cover.
  3. Without cleaning the skillet, melt butter and add remaining wine and lemon juice. Increase heat to medium-high and boil for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce by one-fourth. This process concentrates the flavors and creates a rich, tangy glaze.
  4. Pour reduced sauce directly over chicken breasts, ensuring even distribution. The sauce should cling to the meat, creating a glossy, appetizing finish. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while the chicken remains hot and sauce is at its peak flavor.

Notes

  • Tenderize chicken evenly by gently pounding meat between plastic wrap to achieve consistent thickness for uniform cooking.
  • Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Control sauce consistency by adjusting wine and lemon juice reduction time, creating a lighter or more concentrated flavor profile.
  • Enhance protein options by substituting chicken with turkey or plant-based cutlets for diverse dietary preferences while maintaining the recipe’s core technique.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 271 kcal
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 293 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 54 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

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