This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata is a restaurant-quality dish made right at home! Featuring tender chicken breasts, a rich lemony garlic sauce, and the signature briny bite of capers, this dish is packed with flavor. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for an easy and elegant meal in just 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & easy – Ready in just 30 minutes.
- Rich & tangy – The creamy lemon sauce is a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and garlicky goodness.
- One-pan meal – Fewer dishes mean an easier cleanup!
- Versatile – Pair it with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies.
- Restaurant-quality at home – Perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
1. Prep the Chicken
- In a shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, and black pepper.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in capers and red pepper flakes (if using), and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Finish the Dish
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce.
- Simmer for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
5. Serve & Enjoy
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 430 kcal per serving
Variations
- Make it lighter – Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
- Gluten-free option – Use gluten-free flour for dredging.
- Spicy kick – Add extra red pepper flakes or chili oil for more heat.
- Dairy-free alternative – Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this dish—just adjust the cooking time as they may take a few minutes longer to cook through.
What can I serve with Chicken Piccata?
This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a side salad.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the chicken and sauce separately and store them in the fridge. Reheat and combine before serving.
How do I thicken the sauce if needed?
If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer or add a slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).
Conclusion
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata is a flavorful, one-pan dish that brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen! With its zesty lemon sauce, savory Parmesan, and tender chicken, it’s the perfect weeknight meal or special occasion dish. Serve it with your favorite pasta or sides for a meal that’s sure to impress!
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Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata is a restaurant-quality dish featuring tender chicken in a rich, tangy lemon garlic sauce with capers. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for a deliciously satisfying dinner!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
-
Prep the Chicken:
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, and black pepper.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove from the skillet and set aside.
-
Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in capers and red pepper flakes (if using), simmering for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
-
Finish the Dish:
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce.
- Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Notes
- Make it Lighter: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour for dredging.
- Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes or chili oil.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Courses
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
