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Chicken Piccata with Capers and White Wine, easy skillet chicken dinner recipes
Brittany Stage

Chicken Piccata with Capers and White Wine

Thin-pounded chicken breasts dredged lightly in flour sear golden in olive oil, then finish in a tangy pan sauce of white wine, lemon juice, and briny capers. It is a one-skillet dinner that takes about 25 minutes and tastes bright and satisfying any night of the week.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian American
Calories: 390

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 large breasts, each cut in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, or substitute chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice from about 1 1/2 lemons
  • 3 tbsp capers drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for serving
  • 1 lemon sliced into thin rounds for serving

Equipment

  • 12-inch stainless steel or nonstick skillet
  • meat mallet or rolling pin
  • shallow bowl or plate for dredging
  • tongs

Method
 

  1. Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally so you have 4 thinner cutlets. Place each cutlet between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This step matters because uneven chicken cooks unevenly. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Spread the flour in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour, pressing lightly so it coats the surface, then shake off any excess. You want a thin, even coating, not a thick crust. Set the floured cutlets on a clean plate.
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the chicken cutlets in a single layer, working in batches if the pan is crowded. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should hit 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the same pan and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, until it smells good but has not browned. Pour in the white wine and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it reduces by about one third.
  5. Stir in the lemon juice and capers. Taste the sauce and adjust salt if needed. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl the pan or stir until it melts into the sauce and makes it look glossy and slightly thickened.
  6. Return the chicken cutlets to the pan and spoon the sauce over them. Let everything warm together for about 1 minute. Serve immediately with chopped parsley scattered on top and lemon slices on the side. Angel hair pasta, egg noodles, or roasted asparagus all work well underneath.

Notes

If the sauce tastes too sharp, a small pinch of sugar balances it. Do not skip rinsing the capers or the sauce can get too salty.