This healthy chicken piccata recipe is the perfect fancy meal you can make any night of the week! Much like veal scallopini piccata, this lemon chicken piccata combines thin chicken cutlets with an irresistible lemon butter sauce and capers.
What Is Chicken Piccata?
Chicken piccata is a classic Italian-American dish consisting of thin, pounded chicken breast pan fried with a lemony butter and caper sauce. Some versions of this recipe dredge chicken in all purpose flour before pan frying, but there’s no need — we’re dredging the chicken in something else that’s healthier and even more delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for easy lemon chicken piccata, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
For The Chicken:
Chicken Breasts – Use boneless skinless chicken breasts that weigh 8 ounces apiece.Salt & PepperParmesan Cheese – Use a grated variety for best texture, since it will serve as a light dredging ingredient for the chicken. It works surprisingly well instead of flour!Olive Oil – For frying. I use extra virgin olive oil here, but regular olive oil or avocado oil will also work.
For The Healthy Chicken Piccata Sauce:
Butter – Gives the sauce flavor and helps thicken. Use unsalted, and for the healthiest option, grass-fed.Garlic – Minced garlic in a jar will work fine, but fresh garlic shines in this sauce.Chicken Broth – I use reduced sodium chicken broth for all my recipes, which is somewhere between low sodium and regular. The dish may be too salty if you use regular. For an extra nutrient boost, try bone broth instead.Lemon Juice – Use fresh squeezed juice if you can! Bottled will work, but does not taste nearly as good. If you like extra lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon zest as well.Capers – Get capers in brine, but drain before using in the recipe.Fresh Parsley – Optional, for garnish and freshness.
How To Make Chicken Piccata
This section shows how to make lemon piccata chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below. Use a dry white wine, such as pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc. The sauce will be less salty if you do this, so you may need to adjust salt to taste.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftover chicken lemon piccata covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.Reheat: Reheat in a microwave or warm skillet.Freeze: Freeze keto chicken piccata in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Store chicken and sauce separately, if possible. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving.
What To Serve With Chicken Piccata
Pair this dish with a few light sides: However, you can keep chicken breasts whole if you prefer. Cooking time will take longer.
Vegetables – Easy veggie sides such as roasted eggplant, mashed cauliflower, sauteed asparagus, air fryer broccoli, or roasted artichokes pair very well with healthy chicken piccata.Pasta – This classic Italian dish pairs well with linguine, but for a keto chicken piccata option, use zucchini noodles or baked spaghetti squash.Salads – Try this dish with Italian marinated artichoke salad, chopped Mediterranean salad, or a bed of greens with homemade Caesar dressing.
More Italian Chicken Recipes
Chicken is the perfect canvas for Italian flavors! Try these fast and easy dishes next. Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
