Lemon-Infused Chicken Piccata
Experience a burst of fresh flavor with this Lemon-Infused Chicken Piccata, a delightful dish that will transport your taste buds straight to the Italian countryside. Tender, boneless skinless chicken breasts are beautifully seared to create a golden crust, then pan-finished in a zesty sauce made from bright lemon juice and aromatic shallots. A splash of white wine and rich chicken broth enhance the natural flavors, while fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness. This recipe is not only simple to prepare but also elegant enough for a special dinner. Serve it over pasta or alongside roasted potatoes for a comforting meal that's perfect any night of the week.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (single breasts or halved into strips)
salt
1 pinch (for each breast)
pepper
1 pinch (for each breast)
flour
1/2 cup (for dipping)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking)
garlic
1 teaspoon (thinly sliced)
shallots
2 tablespoons (minced)
white wine
1/4 cup (for deglazing)
chicken broth
1/2 cup (for the sauce)
lemon
1 (juice and zest)
melted butter
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest with the melted butter and set it aside.
2
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast in flour, shaking off the excess flour.
3
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts, smooth side down. Sear them for about 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown.
4
Carefully flip the chicken breasts over and lightly brown the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes.
5
Add the sliced garlic and minced shallots to the pan and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until they are fragrant and beginning to brown.
6
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the wine to reduce for about 2 minutes.
7
Stir in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a full boil. Once boiling, add the juice of one lemon, chopped parsley, and the butter mixed with lemon zest. Swirl the pan to blend the ingredients and create a luscious sauce.
8
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
9
Serve the chicken breasts drizzled with the lemon sauce, garnishing with extra parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
5.5g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
26g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon-Infused Chicken Piccata?
It is a flavorful Italian dish featuring tender chicken breasts seared to a golden crust and finished in a zesty sauce made of lemon juice, shallots, white wine, and butter.
How many calories are in this recipe?
There are approximately 200 calories per serving of this Lemon-Infused Chicken Piccata.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main ingredients include chicken breasts, flour, olive oil, garlic, shallots, white wine, chicken broth, lemon, butter, and parsley.
How much chicken do I need for this recipe?
You will need 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, which can be prepared as single breasts or halved into strips.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is suitable for a simple yet elegant weeknight meal.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 26g of protein per serving.
How long should I sear the chicken?
Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on the first side and an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until golden brown.
What kind of oil should I use for cooking?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil for searing the chicken.
How are the shallots prepared?
You should use 2 tablespoons of minced shallots.
What is used to deglaze the pan?
The pan is deglazed using 1/4 cup of white wine to scrape up the flavorful browned bits.
How much fat is in a serving of this chicken piccata?
There are 5.5g of fat per serving.
What type of garlic preparation is required?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of thinly sliced garlic.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 7.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What role does the flour play in this recipe?
The chicken is dredged in 1/2 cup of flour to help create a golden crust and slightly thicken the sauce.
Should I use the lemon zest or just the juice?
The recipe uses both the juice and the zest of one lemon for maximum flavor.
How much chicken broth is needed for the sauce?
You will need 1/2 cup of chicken broth to create the sauce.
What is the purpose of the butter in the sauce?
Two tablespoons of melted butter are mixed with lemon zest and swirled into the pan at the end to create a luscious, rich sauce.
When should I add the fresh parsley?
One tablespoon of chopped parsley is added when the sauce is boiling, and more can be used as a garnish.
What should I serve with Chicken Piccata?
It is recommended to serve this dish over pasta or alongside roasted potatoes.
How do I prepare the lemon zest and butter mixture?
In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest with the melted butter and set it aside before you begin cooking the chicken.
How long do I sauté the garlic and shallots?
Sauté the garlic and shallots for about 1-2 minutes until they are fragrant and beginning to brown.
Do I need to season the chicken before dredging it?
Yes, you should season both sides of the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and pepper before dredging them in flour.
How long should the wine reduce?
Allow the white wine to reduce for approximately 2 minutes after adding it to the skillet.
Is this dish suitable for a special occasion?
Yes, it is elegant enough for a special dinner while remaining simple to prepare.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine the lemon zest with melted butter in a small bowl.
Should I shake off excess flour from the chicken?
Yes, after dredging the chicken in flour, you should shake off the excess before placing it in the skillet.
How do I finish the sauce?
Once the broth is boiling, add the lemon juice, parsley, and lemon-butter mixture, then swirl the pan to blend.
Can I adjust the seasoning at the end?
Yes, you should taste the sauce at the end and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
Is this a comfort food recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and described as a comforting meal for any night of the week.
What gives the dish its 'Italian countryside' feel?
The combination of fresh lemon, garlic, shallots, and white wine creates the bright, classic Italian flavor profile.