The short answer: chicken piccata is thin chicken cutlets browned in a skillet, then finished in a lemon-butter-caper sauce. Pound the chicken evenly, cook to 165°F, and build the sauce in the same pan in about 30 minutes.
- Key steps: pound → flour → sear → lemon-caper sauce → butter finish
- Safety: 165°F in the thickest part (FoodSafety.gov)
- Sides: pasta, rice, potatoes or green vegetables
- Next step: get the free recipe book, or plan the week with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
Our picks for chicken piccata
Starter pickPrintables
Meal Planner & Grocery List
Weekly meals, a grocery list sorted by aisle, and pantry and freezer inventories so you shop once and waste less.
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Family Recipe Binder
Section dividers, four recipe page layouts with room for the family story, 4x6 and 3x5 cards and a conversion chart - print it or type into the fillable version.
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Family Life Admin Bundle
Baby logs, chore charts, pet records, meal plans and family recipes in one tidy set.
See also chicken breast recipes and the chicken recipes hub. Handling tips follow USDA FSIS chicken guidance.
Chicken piccata ingredients (4 servings)
- 1½ to 2 lb boneless chicken breasts, sliced/pounded to ½ inch
- ½ cup flour, salt, pepper
- 3 Tbsp olive oil or butter for searing
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice + lemon slices
- 2–3 Tbsp capers, drained
- 3 Tbsp cold butter to finish
- Parsley for serving
Step-by-step
- Prep cutlets. Slice breasts horizontally or pound to even thickness. Pat dry. Season and dredge lightly in flour; shake off excess.
- Sear. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook cutlets 2–4 minutes per side until browned and 165°F. Work in batches. Set aside.
- Deglaze. Add wine or broth; scrape browned bits. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
- Sauce. Add lemon juice and capers; simmer 1 minute. Off heat, swirl in cold butter until glossy.
- Finish. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, top with parsley and lemon slices.
Timing and doneness chart
| Cutlet thickness | Approx. sear time | Check |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ inch | ~2 min per side | 165°F |
| ½ inch | 3–4 min per side | 165°F |
| Uneven pieces | Pound first | Thermometer in thickest spot |
Swaps and lighter options
| Want | Change |
|---|---|
| No wine | Broth + extra lemon |
| Gluten-free | Use rice flour or skip dredge; sauce still works |
| Dairy-free | Finish with olive oil instead of butter |
| Extra sauce | Double lemon, broth and butter |
| Turkey piccata | Thin turkey cutlets to 165°F |
What to serve
For a simpler lemon skillet without capers, try our lemon chicken recipe. and how to store
Pair with angel hair, mashed potatoes, rice or easy side dishes. Leftovers: cool, refrigerate 3–4 days, reheat gently. More skillet ideas in easy dinner ideas. Want a creamier spiced sauce night? Cook chicken curry.
For a creamy sun-dried tomato skillet, see Tuscan chicken.
Crispier Parmesan option: Parmesan crusted chicken.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is chicken piccata? Chicken piccata is thin sautéed chicken cutlets finished in a lemon, butter and caper pan sauce. It is an Italian-American skillet dinner that usually takes about 30 minutes.
What cut of chicken is best for piccata? Boneless chicken breasts sliced into cutlets are the best cut for piccata. Thighs work if you pound them thin and cook to 165°F.
What temperature should chicken piccata reach? Cook chicken piccata to 165°F in the thickest part, per FoodSafety.gov poultry guidance. Because cutlets are thin, they cook in just a few minutes per side.
Can I make chicken piccata without wine? Yes, you can make chicken piccata without wine. Swap the white wine for chicken broth plus an extra squeeze of lemon. The sauce still tastes bright with butter and capers.
What do you serve with chicken piccata? Serve chicken piccata with angel hair, mashed potatoes, rice, roasted broccoli or a simple green salad. The lemon sauce is the star, so keep sides simple.
How long do leftovers last? Refrigerate within 2 hours and eat within 3 to 4 days per USDA FSIS. Reheat gently so the lemon butter sauce does not separate hard.
How much does chicken piccata cost for four? About $10 to $14 for four with chicken breast, lemon, butter and capers, based on November 2026 grocery estimates, depending on breast prices.
What printable helps plan piccata night? The HomeBase Meal Planner & Grocery List is $3.99 for a weekly menu and aisle-sorted list. The Family Recipe Binder is $6.99; both are in the Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99 vs $23.95 separately).
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Chicken from Farm to Table fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and Food Safety fsis.usda.gov