Lemon-Caper Chicken Scallopini
This delightful Lemon-Caper Chicken Scallopini recipe is a vibrant and easy-to-make dish, adapted from a Cooking Light original with a few thoughtful changes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this dish features tender chicken breast halves that are lightly breaded and sautéed to golden perfection. The bright flavors of fresh lemon juice and savory capers come together in a rich sauce made with white wine and chicken broth, making every bite a culinary delight. With minimal ingredients and quick preparation time, this dish is not only visually appealing but also a feast for the taste buds, ensuring that you'll want to make it over and over again.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
4 (6 ounces each)
fresh lemon juice
4 (teaspoons)
salt
1/4 (teaspoon)
black pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/3 (cup)
olive oil
2 (tablespoons)
reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1/2 (cup)
dry white wine
1/2 (cup)
capers
4 (teaspoons)
butter
1 (tablespoon)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
2
Place two chicken breast halves in a resealable bag, pressing out excess air before sealing. Gently pound the chicken to a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Repeat with the remaining two breast halves.
3
On a dinner plate, pour the fresh lemon juice and coat both sides of each chicken breast in the juice. Dredge the chicken in the seasoned breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating.
4
In a large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the breaded chicken to the skillet and cook each piece for 3-4 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
5
With the skillet still over medium-high heat, pour in the chicken broth and white wine, scraping the bottom to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to combine the flavors.
6
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the capers and butter until the butter is melted and the sauce is well blended.
7
Serve the chicken scallopini topped with the sauce, garnished with additional capers if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon-Caper Chicken Scallopini?
Lemon-Caper Chicken Scallopini is a vibrant dish featuring tender chicken breast halves that are lightly breaded, sautéed until golden, and topped with a sauce made of lemon juice, white wine, broth, and capers.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What kind of chicken should I use for this recipe?
You should use 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, weighing approximately 6 ounces each.
How thin should I pound the chicken?
The chicken should be pounded to a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch.
What tool should I use to thin the chicken?
You can use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to gently pound the chicken in a resealable bag.
What ingredients are used for the breading?
The breading consists of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.
How much lemon juice is required?
The recipe calls for 4 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice to coat the chicken.
What type of breadcrumbs are recommended?
The recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
What is the first step in the preparation?
The first step is to combine the breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl and set them aside.
How do I ensure the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken?
The chicken is first coated in fresh lemon juice on both sides before being dredged in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
What type of oil is used to cook the chicken?
The chicken is sautéed in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken should be cooked for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
What heat setting should I use for the skillet?
A medium-high heat setting is recommended for both cooking the chicken and preparing the sauce.
How do I make the sauce for the scallopini?
The sauce is made by deglazing the pan with chicken broth and white wine, then stirring in capers and butter once removed from heat.
What kind of white wine should I use?
The recipe suggests 1/2 cup of dry white wine.
Can I substitute the chicken broth?
While the recipe calls for reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth, you could use standard chicken broth or vegetable broth.
When do I add the capers?
Capers are added at the end, after the skillet has been removed from the heat.
How much butter is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of butter to be stirred into the sauce at the end.
What is the purpose of deglazing the pan?
Deglazing involves scraping the bottom of the skillet to incorporate the flavorful browned bits into the sauce.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The chicken broth and wine mixture should simmer for about 2 minutes.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a light and healthy dinner option adapted from a Cooking Light original recipe.
Can I garnish the dish with anything extra?
Yes, you can garnish the finished chicken with additional capers if desired.
What are the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 10 total ingredients in this recipe.
What makes the chicken 'scallopini'?
The term scallopini refers to the method of pounding the meat thin and sautéing it quickly.
How do I keep the chicken warm while making the sauce?
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside in a warm place while you prepare the sauce.
Is this a quick recipe to make?
Yes, it is categorized as a quick meal and an easy recipe suitable for weeknights.
What kind of skillet is best for this recipe?
A large nonstick skillet is recommended to prevent the breaded chicken from sticking.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
You can use frozen chicken, but they must be completely thawed and patted dry before pounding and breading.
What flavors define this dish?
The dish is defined by bright lemon flavors, savory capers, and a rich, buttery white wine sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for guests?
Yes, it is described as being perfect for both a casual weeknight dinner or a more special gathering.