Chicken Piccata (Easy Lemon Butter Chicken with Capers)

If you’re looking for a restaurant-quality chicken dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, this Chicken Piccata is it.

Thin chicken cutlets are lightly dredged in flour and pan-seared until golden brown, then finished in a bright lemon butter sauce with capers and white wine. The sauce is silky, tangy, and packed with flavor—perfect for tossing with pasta or spooning over the crispy chicken.

This is one of those dishes that feels elegant enough for date night but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

The best part? You only need one pan and a handful of simple ingredients to make it happen.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Piccata

• Ready in about 30 minutes
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Perfect balance of rich butter and bright lemon
• Great for weeknight dinners or entertaining
• Pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables

More 30 Minutes or Less Recipes

• Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad
• Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops

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Chicken Piccata Recipe Ingredients

For Chicken Piccata

2 large chicken breasts (sliced into thin cutlets)
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine
¾ cup chicken broth
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoon capers (drained)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving

8 oz pasta (spaghetti or angel hair works great)
Extra parsley for garnish
Fresh cracked black pepper
Optional: grated parmesan

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Chicken Piccata Recipe Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thin cutlets.

Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and all-purpose seasoning, then lightly dredge each piece in flour. Shake off the excess.

This light coating helps create the signature golden crust and also thickens the sauce later.

Produce Preparation

Prep your produce.
Today we just need some shallots, fresh garlic, parsley, and capers.

Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

Build the Piccata Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium.

Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Pour in the white wine and scrape up the browned bits from the pan.

Let the wine reduce for 2–3 minutes, then add:

• chicken broth
• lemon juice
• capers
• lemon zest

Simmer for about 3 minutes.

Finish the Sauce

Stir in the remaining butter and whisk until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Bring It All Together

Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top.

Let everything simmer together for 1–2 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavor.

Serve over pasta and finish with fresh parsley.

What to Serve with Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata is versatile and pairs well with several sides:

• Pasta or angel hair
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Garlic roasted asparagus
• Lemon parmesan green beans
• Crusty bread to soak up the sauce

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Chicken Piccata FAQ

What is chicken piccata sauce made of?

Chicken Piccata sauce is made from lemon juice, butter, white wine, capers, and chicken broth. The result is a bright, tangy sauce with a silky finish.

Can I make chicken piccata without wine?

Yes. Substitute the wine with additional chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice.

What pasta goes best with chicken piccata?

Angel hair, spaghetti, and linguine are the most common pairings because they hold the lemon butter sauce well. If you love this, you'll also enjoy my spicy sausage pasta. You might also love my roasted whole chicken.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce and chicken ahead, but it’s best served fresh so the chicken stays crispy. If you love this, you'll also enjoy my healthy protein. Looking for more? Try my jalapeño bacon cheddar chicken salad. Don't miss my curry chicken salad for another delicious option.

Try This Dish With Salmon