Bright, zesty, and weeknight-easy
This Chicken Piccata with Lemon and Capers is a light yet flavorful classic that feels fancy but comes together fast—perfect for busy weeknights or effortless entertaining. Tender chicken medallions are lightly coated, pan-seared until golden, then simmered in a tangy lemon-butter sauce dotted with briny capers. It’s bright, comforting, and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables. If you’re searching for an easy chicken dinner that tastes restaurant-quality without the stress, this lemon chicken piccata delivers big flavor in under 30 minutes. Fresh, vibrant, and satisfying—this is one recipe you’ll keep on repeat.
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients List
- 3 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch medallions
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ lemon, thinly sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Shallow bowl for flour
- Tongs or spatula
- Wooden spoon
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Season the chicken medallions on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess for a thin, even coating.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
- Add garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer 2 minutes.
- Stir in lemon juice, lemon slices, and capers. Simmer 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Whisk in butter until the sauce is glossy
- Return chicken to skillet and simmer 2–3 minutes until cooked through.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately
Pro Tips
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Make it creamy: Add 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Meal prep: Slice chicken ahead of time and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
- Serving ideas: Serve over angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed asparagus.
Chicken Piccata with Lemon and Capers
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This easy chicken piccata is bright, zesty, and ready in under 30 minutes. Tender chicken in a lemon butter caper sauce perfect for busy weeknights or elegant dinners.
Ingredients
-
3 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch medallions
-
Salt and black pepper, to taste
-
½ cup all-purpose flour
-
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
-
1 clove garlic, minced
-
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
-
½ lemon, thinly sliced (optional)
-
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
-
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
-
3 tablespoons butter
-
2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
Instructions
-
Season the chicken medallions on both sides with salt and pepper.
-
Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess for a thin, even coating.
-
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
-
Add garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer 2 minutes.
-
Stir in lemon juice, lemon slices, and capers. Simmer 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
-
Whisk in butter until the sauce is glossy
-
Return chicken to skillet and simmer 2–3 minutes until cooked through.
-
Garnish with parsley and serve immediately
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 421
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 41g





