Chicken Piccata with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce

Chicken Piccata is a bright, satisfying dish that comes together in under 30 minutes using just a few simple ingredients. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve for guests. The technique is straightforward: sauté seasoned chicken until golden, then simmer it briefly in a lemon, caper, and butter sauce and serve over pasta for a classic, flavorful meal.

Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4-6 servings

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata and pasta

Prep Time
30 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes

Ingredients

  • One 16 ounce package spaghetti or angel hair pasta (*see note)
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • ¼ cup dry vermouth
  • ¼–½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional, to taste)
  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 4 ounces nonpareil capers
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just under al dente. Drain and transfer to a large serving platter. Cover with foil and keep warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you prepare the chicken.
  2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  3. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, and set aside on a plate.
  4. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter melts and the pan is hot, add the chicken in a single layer (brown in batches if needed). Cook about 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  5. Add the vermouth and crushed red pepper to the pan and cook over medium-high heat until most of the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Return the chicken to the pan with the capers, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 5–10 minutes.
  6. Remove the pan from the heat, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Use tongs to arrange the chicken over the pasta. Stir the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into the sauce until melted, then pour the sauce over the chicken and pasta. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you have time, homemade spaghetti noodles elevate this dish and add wonderful texture.
  • Leftover pasta works well in a pasta frittata—an easy way to repurpose extras for another meal.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 0
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest.

© RebeccaBlackwell
Category: Chicken

img 3130 6