Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken cutlets in a bright, tangy lemon-caper sauce. This simple yet elegant recipe transforms everyday chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal with just a handful of ingredients. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, this dish will become a staple in your cooking repertoire.
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Ingredients
Ingredients
Techniques: butterflying chicken breasts, dredging, pan-frying, deglazing, making pan sauce
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Meat mallet (optional)
- Shallow dish for dredging
- Tongs
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Instant-read thermometer (optional)
This classic Chicken Piccata comes together quickly once you start cooking, so it's helpful to have all your ingredients prepped and ready. The key to success is getting the chicken cutlets to an even thickness for consistent cooking and creating a balanced sauce that's tangy but not overwhelmingly sour.
For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water at the end of cooking. For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with additional olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative.