Description
Lemon garlic chicken piccata brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Tender chicken cutlets dance in a silky sauce of white wine, butter, and fresh lemon, creating a classic Italian-American dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Seasoning:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup egg substitute (or beaten eggs)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoons chicken broth
- 5 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Carefully butterfly chicken breasts to a uniform 1/4-inch (0.6 centimeters) thickness by gently pressing between plastic wrap sheets with a meat mallet.
- Create a seasoned coating by mixing flour with salt in a shallow dish. Dip each chicken breast into beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with the flour mixture, carefully shaking off any excess.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken breasts into the hot pan, cooking in batches if necessary, until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate, keeping warm while preparing the sauce.
- Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for approximately 60 seconds, ensuring the garlic becomes fragrant without burning.
- Deglaze the pan by pouring in chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and hot pepper sauce. Gently scrape the browned bits from the skillet bottom while allowing the mixture to simmer.
- Reintroduce the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, thoroughly coating them with the aromatic sauce. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Enhance the dish by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Serve immediately, optionally drizzling extra sauce on top for added flavor.
Notes
- Chicken preparation is key to achieving tender, evenly cooked meat by pounding breasts to uniform thickness.
- Dredging technique creates a delicate, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and adds texture to the chicken.
- Careful garlic sautéing prevents burning, ensuring a rich, aromatic flavor base for the sauce.
- Deglazing the pan captures all the flavorful browned bits, intensifying the sauce’s depth and complexity.
- Hot pepper sauce adds a subtle kick that balances the bright, zesty lemon and rich butter sauce.
- Finishing the chicken in the sauce allows it to absorb maximum flavor and remain moist and succulent.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg