Zingy Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Sizzling and zesty, this lemon garlic chicken piccata recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen.

Tender chicken breasts get a golden crisp coating that perfectly complements the bright, tangy sauce.

The classic Italian-inspired dish combines simple ingredients with bold flavors that dance across your palate.

Briny capers add a delightful punch of saltiness to every bite.

Succulent chicken bathed in a velvety lemon butter sauce creates a meal that feels both elegant and comforting.

Each forkful promises a harmonious blend of rich and citrusy notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to impress with this quick and mouthwatering dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

What Goes Into Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides a crispy, golden exterior that locks in chicken's juiciness and creates a delicate texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and helps tenderize the chicken's surface.
• Egg Substitute or Eggs: Acts as a binding agent to help the flour coating adhere perfectly to the chicken.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender protein that serves as the star of the dish, best when fresh and evenly sized for consistent cooking.

• Olive Oil: Delivers a rich, smooth base for cooking with heart-healthy benefits and subtle Mediterranean essence.
• Butter: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps create a silky, glossy sauce with deep, nutty undertones.
• Chicken Broth: Infuses depth and moisture, creating a delectable liquid foundation for the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces bright, zesty notes that cut through richness and elevate the entire dish's complexity.
• Minced Garlic: Provides aromatic intensity and classic savory character to the sauce.
• Hot Pepper Sauce: Contributes a gentle kick of heat and unexpected flavor dimension.

• Fresh Parsley: Brings vibrant color and fresh, herbaceous brightness to the finished dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers salty, umami-rich sprinkle that adds sophisticated finishing notes.

Equipment List for Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the sauce, preferably with a heavy bottom for even heat distribution.
• Plastic Wrap: Needed to pound chicken breasts to an even thickness.
• Shallow Dish: Perfect for coating chicken in flour and egg mixture.
• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: Used to flatten chicken breasts uniformly.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Help ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Chef's Knife: Required for mincing garlic and chopping parsley.
• Tongs: Helpful for flipping and moving chicken in the skillet.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for stirring and scraping pan bits.

Steps to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata

• Chicken Preparation

Gently flatten chicken breasts between plastic wrap until uniformly thin and tender.

• Coating Magic

Create a light, crispy exterior by dipping chicken in egg wash and dusting with seasoned flour.

• Golden Skillet Sear

Heat olive oil and transform chicken into a beautiful golden-brown masterpiece, cooking each side until perfectly done.

• Flavor Symphony

Melt butter and awaken garlic’s aromatic potential, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.

• Tangy Liquid Embrace

Introduce chicken broth, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of spice to the skillet, lifting delicious browned bits from the pan.

• Sauce Fusion

Reunite chicken with the vibrant sauce, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to reach a silky consistency.

• Elegant Finish

Shower the dish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation that tantalizes the senses.

Cooking Tips for Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata

• Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound chicken breasts evenly, ensuring uniform cooking and maximum tenderness.
• Adjust hot pepper sauce quantity to match your personal heat preference, from mild to fiery kick.
• Replace chicken with turkey cutlets or pork medallions for a delightful protein variation that maintains the recipe's core flavor profile.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or cornstarch to make the dish suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising taste.
• Serve alongside roasted asparagus, creamy risotto, or herbed quinoa to complement the zesty lemon garlic sauce and create a complete meal experience.

How to Serve Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata

• Plate with Pasta Perfection: Serve the lemon garlic chicken piccata over a bed of al dente linguine or angel hair pasta, allowing the tangy sauce to coat the noodles for a delightful flavor fusion.
• Bright Side Salad Pairing: Create a crisp mixed green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette to complement the richness of the chicken, balancing the dish with fresh, zesty notes.
• Veggie Companion Crunch: Roast some asparagus spears or sauté green beans with a touch of garlic to add a vibrant, nutritious side that enhances the chicken's lemony profile.
• Wine Harmony Suggestion: Uncork a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to elevate the meal's citrusy and light flavor characteristics.

Storage Advice for Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata

• Maximize Meal Freshness: Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring optimal taste and texture.
• Revive Leftovers Perfectly: Gently reheat chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Safely store chicken piccata in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, separating sauce and chicken to prevent soggy texture when thawing.
• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare chicken breasts and sauce separately during weekend cooking sessions, allowing quick assembly of meals throughout the busy workweek.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 396 kcal

Servings: 5

Succulent Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Home cooks adore this zesty lemon garlic chicken piccata with its tangy sauce and golden-brown chicken cutlets. Restaurant-quality results emerge quickly, letting weeknight diners savor Mediterranean-inspired flavors without complex preparation.

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Ingredients

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• 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup egg substitute (or beaten eggs)
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tbsps chicken broth
• 5 tbsps lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepping Chicken: Butterfly chicken breasts to a uniform 0.6-centimeter thickness by pressing between plastic wrap sheets with a meat mallet, ensuring even cooking and tender texture.
2. Coating Preparation: Create a seasoned dredging station by mixing flour and salt. Dip chicken in beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with seasoned flour, shaking off excess to achieve a light, crisp exterior.
3. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully brown chicken breasts until golden and fully cooked, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, working in batches to maintain optimal pan temperature.
4. Sauce Development: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Deglaze with chicken broth, lemon juice, and hot pepper sauce, scraping browned bits to incorporate deep, rich flavors.
5. Final Fusion: Return chicken to the skillet, gently nestling pieces in the aromatic sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the tangy, vibrant sauce while maintaining its crisp coating.
6. Garnishing and Serving: Sprinkle chopped parsley and grated Parmesan over the chicken. Plate immediately, drizzling additional sauce to enhance the dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile.

Notes

• Butterfly with Care: Use gentle, even pressure when pounding chicken to ensure uniform thickness, which guarantees consistent cooking and tender meat.
• Coating Technique: Shake off excess flour to prevent clumping and achieve a light, crispy exterior that browns beautifully without becoming heavy.
• Pan Performance: Cook chicken in batches if skillet is crowded to maintain high heat and create perfect golden-brown crust without steaming the meat.
• Sauce Salvation: Scrape skillet’s browned bits while deglazing to unlock deep, rich flavor that transforms a simple sauce into a restaurant-quality experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 590 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 88 mg