Best Chicken Piccata
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The Best Chicken Piccata is a delightful dish that brings together tender chicken breasts, creamy lemon butter sauce, and zesty capers. This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, showcasing a wonderful balance of flavors that everyone will love. The bright citrus notes paired with the richness of cream make this dish stand out in any meal setting.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful Sauce: The combination of lemon, butter, and capers creates a rich sauce that elevates the chicken’s taste.
- Versatile Dish: Serve it over pasta, rice, or alongside vegetables for a complete meal that suits any palate.
- Beautiful Presentation: The bright colors of this dish make it an eye-catching choice for dinner parties or gatherings.
- Comfort Food: With its creamy texture and delicious flavors, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Tools and Preparation
To make the Best Chicken Piccata, you’ll need a few essential tools to ensure that everything goes smoothly in the kitchen.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Skillet
- Meat mallet or rolling pin
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Skillet: A good skillet ensures even cooking and allows for proper sauce preparation.
- Meat mallet: This tool helps tenderize the chicken breasts for a more enjoyable eating experience.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial to achieving the perfect balance of flavors in your sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 chicken breasts
- salt
- black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- flour
For the Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter (I like Kerrygold unsalted butter for this)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 tbsp capers
- 1/2 cup cream
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
How to Make Best Chicken Piccata
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Start by flattening the chicken breasts using a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are about ½ inch thick.
- Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add butter to the skillet until melted.
- Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, and capers. Stir well while scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in cream until combined.
Step 4: Combine Everything
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with sauce.
- Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Enjoy your delicious Best Chicken Piccata!
How to Serve Best Chicken Piccata
Serving Best Chicken Piccata is a delightful experience, as its flavors can be complemented by various sides and garnishes. Here are some creative serving suggestions to elevate your dish.
Fresh Herbs and Citrus
- Chopped parsley: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.
- Lemon wedges: Serve alongside lemon wedges for guests to add a zesty touch.
Accompaniments
- Pasta: Pair your chicken piccata with spaghetti or fettuccine tossed in olive oil or butter.
- Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Crusty bread: Offer slices of crusty baguette to enjoy with the rich sauce.
Salads
- Arugula salad: A light arugula salad with a vinaigrette balances the richness of the dish.
- Caesar salad: A classic Caesar salad adds crunch and flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.
How to Perfect Best Chicken Piccata
To achieve the perfect Best Chicken Piccata, consider these helpful tips for a restaurant-quality dish.
- Use thin chicken breasts: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for quick cooking and tenderness.
- Don’t skip the flour: Dredging in flour not only helps create a nice crust but also thickens the sauce.
- Choose quality butter: Use high-quality unsalted butter for a richer flavor in your sauce.
- Fresh ingredients matter: Opt for fresh lemon juice and zest, as well as fresh parsley, for the best taste.
- Cook on medium heat: Keep the heat medium to prevent burning while allowing the flavors to develop fully.
Best Side Dishes for Best Chicken Piccata
Pairing side dishes with your Best Chicken Piccata enhances the overall meal. Here are some delightful options:
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes infused with garlic complement the dish beautifully.
- Steamed Asparagus: Lightly steamed asparagus adds a vibrant green element and crunch.
- Roasted Vegetables: A mix of seasonal roasted vegetables brings color and nutrition to your plate.
- Quinoa Salad: A refreshing quinoa salad with cucumbers and tomatoes offers a healthy alternative.
- Polenta Cakes: Creamy polenta cooked until firm provides a comforting base for your chicken.
- Brussels Sprouts: Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze create a flavorful contrast with the dish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making the Best Chicken Piccata, it’s easy to overlook some key elements that can affect the dish’s outcome. Here are common mistakes to watch for:
-
Skipping the seasoning: Not seasoning your chicken breasts with salt and pepper can lead to bland flavor. Always season both sides generously before cooking.
-
Using too much flour: Dredging the chicken in excess flour can make the sauce too thick and pasty. Use just enough to coat the chicken lightly for a golden crust.
-
Overcooking the chicken: Cooking the chicken for too long will make it dry. Aim for a cooking time of about 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
-
Neglecting fresh ingredients: Using old or dried-out herbs and garlic can diminish flavor. Fresh parsley and garlic enhance the overall taste, so use them whenever possible.
-
Not adjusting sauce consistency: If your sauce is too thick, it may need more broth or cream. Always check the consistency before serving to ensure it’s creamy but pourable.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftover Best Chicken Piccata in an airtight container.
- It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Best Chicken Piccata
- Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers.
- This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months for best quality.
Reheating Best Chicken Piccata
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and cover with foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat on medium power in short intervals, stirring occasionally. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Stovetop: Warm over low heat in a skillet, adding a splash of broth if needed to prevent sticking. Heat for about 5-7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making the Best Chicken Piccata:
What is Chicken Piccata?
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring sautéed chicken breasts served in a lemony caper sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free alternative like almond flour or cornstarch for dredging.
What sides go well with Best Chicken Piccata?
This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables, providing a balanced meal.
How do I enhance the flavor of my Best Chicken Piccata?
Adding white wine or more lemon juice can elevate the flavors. Fresh herbs like thyme or basil also work well.
Final Thoughts
The Best Chicken Piccata is not only easy to prepare but also full of vibrant flavors that impress at any dinner table. Perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions, you can customize it by adding more vegetables or adjusting spices. Give this comforting dish a try; it might become your new favorite!
Best Chicken Piccata
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Best Chicken Piccata, a delightful dish that elevates any dinner table. Featuring tender chicken breasts nestled in a rich lemon butter sauce and enhanced with zesty capers, this recipe is perfect for both busy weeknights and special occasions. In just 25 minutes, you can create a restaurant-quality meal that balances creamy richness with bright citrus notes, making it an instant family favorite. Serve it over pasta or rice, or alongside vibrant vegetables for a complete meal that is sure to impress!
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Flour
- Unsalted butter
- Olive oil
- Chicken broth
- Lemon juice and zest
- Capers
- Cream
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Flatten the chicken breasts to about ½ inch thick using a meat mallet. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge lightly in flour.
- Heat olive oil and half of the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, and capers, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to low.
- Stir in the remaining butter and cream until combined. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with sauce (approximately 150g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
