Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata Recipe

Introduction

This Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast smothered in a tangy lemon and caper sauce. It’s a simple yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

A white round plate holds three golden-brown chicken cutlets, each with a slightly crispy texture and juicy surface. The cutlets are covered with small green capers and sprinkled with chopped fresh green herbs. Thin yellow lemon slices are placed on top and around the chicken, resting in a shallow pool of glossy light yellow sauce that spreads across the plate. The setting is a white marbled texture that adds a clean and bright background to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 450g / 16oz chicken breast (2 large pieces), skinless, boneless
  • 4 tbsp flour (substitute cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 ½ tbsp Parmesan, finely grated
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp / 15g unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp / 30g unsalted butter (for sauce)
  • ⅔ cup dry white wine (or low-sodium chicken broth)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 3 tbsp capers in brine, drained
  • 1 ½ tsp parsley, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut each chicken breast into 3 pieces. Pound the pieces flat between cling wrap to about ½ cm thickness.
  2. Step 2: Drizzle the chicken with ½ tablespoon olive oil and rub to coat evenly.
  3. Step 3: In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the mixture, pressing gently to coat them evenly.
  4. Step 4: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Step 5: Sear half the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and repeat with the remaining pieces.
  6. Step 6: Discard any excess fat from the pan, keeping the browned bits that add flavor.
  7. Step 7: Add the white wine to the pan and simmer until it reduces by half, about 3 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Stir in the lemon juice and simmer for an additional minute.
  9. Step 9: Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and swirl the pan until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
  10. Step 10: Stir in the capers and chopped parsley. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with extra parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour with cornstarch when dredging the chicken.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth instead of white wine for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you prefer a slight kick of heat.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the butter sauce from breaking.

How to Serve

A white plate holds three golden brown chicken cutlets, each with a crispy, slightly charred surface. The cutlets are covered with a shiny, light yellow sauce that pools around the base, with small green capers scattered on top. Each cutlet is garnished with a thin lemon slice and small sprigs of fresh green herbs, adding a fresh contrast to the warm tones of the chicken and sauce. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used, though they will have a slightly different texture and flavor. Pound them to even thickness to ensure they cook evenly.

How do I prevent the sauce from separating?

To keep the sauce smooth and glossy, add the butter slowly over low heat and swirl the pan rather than stirring vigorously. This helps emulsify the sauce.

Print
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Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata Recipe


  • Author: lina
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a Parmesan-flour mixture, seared to golden perfection, and served with a tangy lemon, caper, and white wine sauce. This recipe combines vibrant Mediterranean flavors in a quick and satisfying skillet-cooked meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 450g / 16oz chicken breast (2 large pieces), skinless, boneless
  • ½ tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)

Coating

  • 4 tbsp flour (substitute cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • 2 ½ tbsp Parmesan, finely grated
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Cooking Fat

  • 2 ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)

Sauce

  • ⅔ cup dry white wine (or low-sodium chicken broth)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 3 tbsp capers in brine, drained
  • 1 ½ tsp parsley, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut each chicken breast into 3 pieces. Place them between pieces of cling wrap and pound them flat to about ½ cm thickness to ensure even cooking.
  2. Oil the chicken: Drizzle the chicken pieces with ½ tablespoon of olive oil and rub it in so each piece is evenly coated, which helps the coating stick better.
  3. Make the coating and dredge chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, finely grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken in this mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating on all sides.
  4. Heat the fats: In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm 2 ½ tablespoons of olive oil together with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter until the butter melts and the mixture is hot but not smoking.
  5. Sear the chicken: Place half of the coated chicken pieces in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
  6. Remove excess fat: After cooking all chicken pieces, discard any excess fat from the pan, leaving the browned bits stuck to the bottom to add flavor to the sauce.
  7. Deglaze with wine: Add the dry white wine (or low-sodium chicken broth) to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes, scraping up the browned bits to incorporate their flavor into the sauce.
  8. Add lemon: Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and simmer for an additional minute to meld flavors.
  9. Finish the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Swirl the pan gently until the butter melts and the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
  10. Add capers and parsley: Stir in the drained capers and finely chopped parsley. Spoon the luscious sauce over the cooked chicken pieces and garnish with extra parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with cornstarch for dredging.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth instead of white wine for a non-alcoholic option.
  • Be sure to pound the chicken evenly to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
  • Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or over cooked pasta or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper to taste after cooking the sauce.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Chicken Piccata,Lemon Chicken,Capers,Parmesan Chicken,Mediterranean Chicken,Skillet Chicken Recipe

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