Quick and Easy Chicken Piccata

by Barbara on February 18, 2011

Chicken Piccata
This restaurant-style chicken piccata is on the cover of Cuisine At Home magazine. Chicken Piccata is one of my favorite dishes to eat at restaurants, so it’s great to have a fabulous recipe to make at home. And this recipe is fabulous! It’s quick and easy and my family loved it.

Coincidentally, Pam, For the Love of Cooking, and Jamie, Mom’s Cooking Club, also posted this recipe recently and their families loved it too. It really is a must try. In fact, I liked it so much that I made it twice in the last few weeks. I hoped to get better pictures the second time, but it’s so hard for me to get a decent picture at dinnertime this time of year.

I used 3 chicken breasts for my family of four and cooked the cutlets in two batches. One chicken cutlet was plenty for me, but my teenage sons wanted more than one.

Someone tweeted that apple juice or white grape juice is a good substitute for white wine in recipes. Since I didn’t have white wine and usually have apple juice, that was a great tip. I substituted apple juice for the white wine in this recipe, which worked perfectly to deglaze the pan.


Chicken Piccata
Recipe by Cuisine at Home

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
All-purpose flour
Nonstick spray
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup dry white wine (I substituted apple juice)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon drained capers
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Fresh lemon slices
Fresh parsley, chopped

Split each chicken breast in to two pieces horizontally and place between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a mallet gently pound chicken into 1/4 inch thick cutlets. Season cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Coat a saute pan with nonstick spray, add oil, and heat over medium-high.

Saute cutlets 2-3 minutes on one side. Flip cutlets over and saute the other side, covered, 1-2 minutes. Transfer cutlets to a warmed platter; pour off fat from the pan.

Deglaze pan with wine and add minced garlic. Cook until garlic is slightly brown and liquid is nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes.

Add broth, lemon juice, and capers. Return cutlets to pan and cook on each side for 1 minute. Transfer cutlets to warm plates.

Finish sauce with butter and lemons. Once butter melts, pour sauce over cutlets.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Print Recipe

This post is linked up with the Decidedly Healthy or Horridly Decadent hop

{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }

Bonnie February 18, 2011 at 10:40 am

This looks so fast and yummy. My family would love this.
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Frieda February 18, 2011 at 10:44 am

I love simple chicken dishes! I also loved that you subbed the white wine for apple juice ~ works for me!
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Rosa February 18, 2011 at 10:48 am

Delicious and so comforting!

Cheers,

Rosa

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Lyndsey February 18, 2011 at 11:13 am

I love these quick and easy dishes for weekday suppers. Chicken piccata is a favorite at my house. I posted one too a while back! Yours looks lovely! YUM!
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Daniela February 18, 2011 at 12:18 pm

Un super piattino ricco di sapore, ottimo l’abbinamento con la pasta in modo tale da formare un piatto unico. Buon week end Daniela.
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Nicole@HeatOvenTo350 February 18, 2011 at 12:36 pm

I often substitute apple juice or grape juice too, and it seems to work just great. Sometimes, like in a risotto, I dilute it half and half so it won’t be too sweet but it seems to work. Cranberry juice is good too. Thanks for sharing your recipe. It looks delicious!

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Lauren from Lauren's Latest February 18, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Deglazing with apple juice is a great tip! I always have that on hand! Thanks, Barbara! {And, I totally know what you mean about getting a decent picture at dinner time. No sunlight certainly makes things difficult!}
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Nisrine, Dinners & Dreams February 18, 2011 at 2:22 pm

Thanks for this recipe, Barabara. I love the lemony taste of piccata. Now it’s time to make it at home!
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Kalynskitchen February 18, 2011 at 4:15 pm

This is definitely one of my favorite dishes in the world!
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Mama Kelly aka Jia February 18, 2011 at 4:40 pm

Other than the capers I have everything i need to make this right now! And I may just make it tomorrow as I need to do something with some chicken breasts I defrosted. It looks wonderful
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Renata February 18, 2011 at 5:44 pm

That sounds delicious, a great twist to the everyday meals with chicken. Love that!
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Stephanie Miskew February 18, 2011 at 6:39 pm

Chicken picatta is one of my all time faves! My husband hated capers before I made it for him and now he asks me to make it quite often. I’ve never heard of using apple juice to deglaze but makes sense it would work and taste yummy – thanks for sharing your experience – I will have to give this delicious recipe a try!
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Anne February 18, 2011 at 6:42 pm

Anything with capers is amazing. My family thinks they are “foreign objects” – but they have yet to develop discriminating tastes. Lovely post!
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kristy February 18, 2011 at 9:24 pm

I have heard of this chicken piccata so often but have yet to try it. So, have to bookmark this for later use. Thank you very much. Hope you’re having a terrific weekend, Barbara.
Cheers, Kristy
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rebecca February 18, 2011 at 10:08 pm

wow great recipe for a busy weeknight have a great weekend Barbara
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RJ Flamingo February 19, 2011 at 5:11 am

I love chicken piccata, too, and this sounds like a really good version. Must try!
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Eliana February 19, 2011 at 5:39 am

This looks delicious Barbara and even better that the restaurant kind. Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella February 19, 2011 at 6:06 am

Can you believe I’ve never tried this dish before mum? :o I’ve seen and heard about it on tv so much though! Thanks for the recipe, you knew I was curious about it didn’t you! ;) xxx
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cindy harris February 19, 2011 at 8:05 am

Back in the ‘olden days’ when chicken had bones I found a recipe for Chicken Piccata in Good Housekeeping. I tore it out, made the recipe–we loved it. This is basically the same recipe I made years ago. It is fun how a few simple ingredients can make a Wow dish. Have a great weekend.
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Alison @ Ingredients, Inc February 19, 2011 at 10:34 am

Looks wonderful! My kids love Chicken Picatta

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Barbara | VinoLuciStyle February 19, 2011 at 11:31 am

I love chicken piccata but it’s been a long time and I’m always game for a new recipe…with wine, of course!
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teresa February 19, 2011 at 1:11 pm

so gorgeous! fresh and bright, this is such yummy looking chicken!
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Angela February 19, 2011 at 9:22 pm

Great post! The pictures are making me hungry, as is your description of the dish.
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Tawny @ The Year of The Cookie February 19, 2011 at 11:06 pm

“Quick and easy” caught my attention right away! Your pictures look good to me. I also liked the apple juice tip since I always have it!

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marla {family fresh cooking} February 20, 2011 at 6:04 am

I must cook up chicken piccata here too – it is one of my favorite dishes as well. Will do so soon :)

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crustabakes February 20, 2011 at 7:53 am

thats a great tip on the apple juice. This dish looks amaazingg!

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Jamie February 20, 2011 at 9:55 am

Isn’t this a great recipe Barbara. So glad your family loved it as much as we did. I need to make it again soon. Thanks for the mention in your post.
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Donna February 20, 2011 at 10:42 am

Did you know you can buy white grape juice? When a recipe calls for white wine, I like to substitute white grape juice and a little white wine vinegar. I’m dying to try your chicken!

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Renee (Kudos Kitchen) February 20, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Mmmmm. Looks delish! With capers being one of my new favorite ingredients, I must try your recipe very, very soon. Thanks for posting!

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Anna Johnston February 20, 2011 at 3:59 pm

I adore chicken piccata but I don’t think I’ve ever made it, so thanks for the recipe, looking forward to cooking it up.
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Maggie February 20, 2011 at 6:18 pm

Barbara – this is a wonderful recipe! I have flagged it as a “must try soon” as you’ve found another fan of chicken piccata. Thanks for sharing.

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Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen February 20, 2011 at 8:09 pm

I love all the recipes from cuisine at home…this chicken piccata looks great and super easy! I can’t wait to give it a try! :)
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Cakewhiz February 20, 2011 at 8:41 pm

Restaurant style indeed! Your chicken picatta looks wonderful and so professional!

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Ninette February 21, 2011 at 7:17 am

I love chicken piccata!
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Faith February 21, 2011 at 8:14 am

Chicken piccata is always a sure winner in my house…yours looks great, Barbara!
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Shanae Branham February 21, 2011 at 10:30 am

What a fun dish! I’m glad I found you.

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Lot-O-Choc February 21, 2011 at 10:31 am

Oh wow this looks such a warm comforting meal, I may have to try it!
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Sophie February 21, 2011 at 12:30 pm

A delightful chicken piccata!! The chicken dish looks magnificent!!

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Ma What's For Dinner February 21, 2011 at 1:26 pm

Perfect and delicious weeknight dinner. One of my faves for sure. Can’t wait to give your recipe a whirl.

Thanks for your sweet words about our dog, Guinness. Hearing everone’s words of encouragement and sympathy is really helpful.

I hope you’re having a happy President’s Day!

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
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Megan February 21, 2011 at 7:03 pm

I’ve been wanting to make this dish. Glad to have such a highly recommended recipe. Cant wait to try it.
I know what you mean about the picture taking. Once the sun is gone, so is my motivation to even try to get a good picture. At least the days are getting longer now! :)
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Nutmeg Nanny February 21, 2011 at 8:47 pm

Looks great! I’m always looking for a new chicken dish.

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Sweets By Vicky February 22, 2011 at 6:51 am

3 rave reviews and such a simple recipe? I’m definitely adding this to my cooking repertoire. Easy is always welcome on nights when you just want to have cereal for dinner.
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Mary February 22, 2011 at 10:29 am

This is a gorgeous chicken dish. I love piccata and you’ve shared a great recipe with us. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary

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Summer Rose February 22, 2011 at 12:24 pm

Its really nice to make something u really like at home and this looks like u got it way way better!
The apple juice instead of the wine sounds fantastic too!

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pigpigscorner February 22, 2011 at 2:05 pm

YUM! I like the idea of using apple juice.
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Beth February 22, 2011 at 7:14 pm

This looks like the simple kind of entree that I love to make and serve. And deglazing with apple juice is a great tip.
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Susie Bee on Maui May 7, 2012 at 10:26 am

Barbara, thanks for sharing this great recipe. I made it for this month’s Secret Recipe Club!
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