Chicken piccata is an Italian dish made with a tangy sauce that is healthy, simple to prepare and very flavorful. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture notes that lean chicken breasts are an excellent source of protein. According to LIVESTRONG's DailyPlate, one 5-oz. serving of chicken piccata contains 253 calories, 7 g of fat, and 40 g of protein. Once you have mastered the recipe's steps, chicken piccata will easily become a family favorite that you will want to prepare often.
Step 1
Butterfly, or slice in half so that they lie flat, the chicken breasts and pound them with a kitchen mallet until they measure 1/4-inch thick.
Step 2
Mix together the flour, grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
Step 3
Dip the chicken breasts into the flour mixture until they are well-coated.
Step 4
Add the virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp. butter to the large saucepan and place it over medium heat.
Step 5
Add the chicken to the pan once the oil is heated and allow it to cook for three or four minutes on each side or until each breast is well-browned.
Step 6
Remove the chicken from the saucepan and place it on a plate covered with aluminum foil.
Step 7
Add the lemon juice, chicken stock and capers to the saucepan.
Step 8
Scrape the flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the saucepan with a spatula so that they become part of the sauce.
Step 9
Add the remaining 2 tbsp. butter, and return the chicken to the pan.
Step 10
Bring the entire mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat, simmering the sauce for about three minutes or until the mixture has been reduced by about one third.
Step 11
Sprinkle parsley over the chicken just at the end of the cooking time.
Step 12
Serve the chicken breasts generously covered with sauce and topped with a lemon wedge.
Tips and Warnings
- Chicken piccata can be paired with a side dish of vegetables, beans or potatoes. This recipe can be adapted for vegetarians by substituting portobello mushrooms for the chicken and vegetable broth for the chicken stock.
- To reduce the chance of contamination, place plastic wrap on your work surface and on top of the chicken breasts when using the kitchen mallet.
Things You'll Need
- 1 1/2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast
- Kitchen mallet
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Large bowl
- 4 tbsp. virgin olive oil
- 4 tbsp. butter
- Large saucepan
- Aluminum foil
- Plate
- 3 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup capers
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- Fresh lemon cut into wedges
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