Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata
Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata features tender, lightly floured chicken cutlets simmered in a bright pan sauce of lemon, capers, butter, and a splash of white wine. The balance of tangy citrus and briny capers creates a lively, elegant flavor that still feels comforting. Serve it for a quick weeknight dinner or a simple dinner party with pasta or a crisp salad.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 54 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 56 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 12
- Heart Health
- 60
- Metabolic
- 16
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 26
- Performance
- 33
- General Wellness
- 1
Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and lightly pound them to 1/2-inch thick. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour to coat the surface, then shake off any excess flour.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke. Add half of the chicken and cook, without moving, until browned and it releases easily from the skillet, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the drippings and repeat with the remaining chicken. Reserve all the chicken on a plate.
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Add the wine and capers and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet; bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Add the chicken stock, lemon juice, and lemon zest; stir to combine. Return to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
- 4
Return the chicken to the skillet and cook, turning it occasionally in the sauce, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, the juices run clear, and the sauce has thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes.
- 5
Remove from the heat and sprinkle with parsley to serve.
- Calories 286.74 kcal Moderate 14%
- Protein 9.55 g Moderate 19%
- Carbohydrate 19.19 g 7%
- Total Fat 17.91 g High 23%
- Saturated Fat 6.43 g High 32%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 39.2 mg Moderate 13%
- Sodium 482.3 mg High 21%
- Dietary Fiber 1.23 g Low Source 4%
- Total Sugars 0.35 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 13.68 mg Low Source 1%
- Iron 1.61 mg Low Source 9%
- Potassium 72.11 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin A 89.94 mcg Low Source 10%
- Vitamin C 6.52 mg Low Source 7%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Sulfites
- Alcohol 🚫🍷
About This Recipe
Classic Lemon Caper Chicken Piccata is an Italian dinner recipe made with 12 ingredients. It takes about 30 mins, serves 4, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Capers, and Chicken Breast. Each serving provides about 286.74 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata?
- It is an Italian recipe made with 12 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Capers, Chicken Breast, Chicken Stock. The full list of 12 is above.
- What goes well with Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata?
- Explore these Italian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata?
- About 30 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 286.74 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 12 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata healthy?
- Classic Lemon-Caper Chicken Piccata has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 286.74 calories and 9.55 g of protein, or 19% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 482.3 mg (21% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 6.43 g (32% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Sulfites and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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