Savory Chicken Piccata with Tomato, Thyme & White Wine Sauce
Elevate your dinner with this Savory Chicken Piccata featuring tender, sautéed chicken breasts complemented by a zesty tomato, thyme, and white wine vinegar sauce. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, this dish is a delightful blend of flavors that is sure to impress your family and friends. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal that is both delicious and satisfying. With its simple steps and accessible ingredients, preparing this dish will become a cherished culinary memory.
4
Servings
175
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (sliced in half to form thin cutlets)
table salt
to taste
ground black pepper
to taste
vegetable oil
4 teaspoons (divided)
shallot
1 medium (minced (about 3 tablespoons))
tomato paste
2 teaspoons
low sodium chicken broth
1 cup
white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons
light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons
fresh thyme
6 sprigs
unsalted butter
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C) and position the oven rack in the middle.
2
To create tender chicken cutlets, slice each boneless, skinless chicken breast in half horizontally. For easier slicing, slightly freeze the chicken for 10-15 minutes.
3
Generously season both sides of the chicken cutlets with table salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4
In a 12-inch skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Carefully add four of the cutlets to the skillet, cooking them without disturbance for about 2 minutes until golden brown.
5
Flip the cutlets and continue to cook for an additional 15 to 20 seconds until the second side is opaque. Transfer the cooked cutlets to a large heatproof plate.
6
Add another 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to the same skillet and repeat the process with the remaining cutlets. Cover the plate loosely with aluminum foil and place it in the warm oven while you prepare the sauce.
7
Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour in 2 more teaspoons of vegetable oil and add the minced shallot along with the tomato paste. Stir constantly over the residual heat for about 30 seconds until the shallot is softened.
8
Return the skillet to medium-high heat and carefully pour in the chicken broth, white wine vinegar, light brown sugar, and add the fresh thyme sprigs. Bring the mixture to a simmer while scraping the bottom of the pan to release any delightful browned bits.
9
Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce until it reaches about 1/2 cup, which should take approximately 6 to 7 minutes.
10
Once reduced, remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the unsalted butter gradually, one tablespoon at a time. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
11
Serve the chicken cutlets immediately, drizzled with the luscious thyme and tomato sauce.
Nutrition Information
3.5g
Fat
11g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chicken Piccata with Tomato, Thyme & White Wine Sauce?
It is a dish featuring tender sautéed chicken breasts topped with a zesty sauce made from tomato paste, fresh thyme, and white wine vinegar.
How many servings does this chicken piccata recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 175 calories.
How much protein is in one serving of this dish?
There are 18 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
Each serving contains 11 grams of carbohydrates.
Is this recipe low in fat?
Yes, it is relatively low in fat with 3.5 grams per serving.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients required, including the chicken and pantry staples.
How should I prepare the chicken breasts for this recipe?
The boneless skinless chicken breasts should be sliced in half horizontally to form thin cutlets.
What is a tip for slicing the chicken more easily?
Slightly freeze the chicken for 10-15 minutes before slicing to make it firmer and easier to cut.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 200°F (95°C) to keep the chicken warm while finishing the sauce.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
The recipe calls for vegetable oil, divided into 4 teaspoons total.
How long do I cook each side of the chicken cutlets?
Cook the first side for about 2 minutes until golden brown, and the second side for 15 to 20 seconds.
How do I keep the chicken warm while preparing the sauce?
Place the cooked cutlets on a large heatproof plate, cover loosely with foil, and keep them in the 200°F oven.
What aromatics are used in the sauce?
The sauce uses one medium minced shallot and fresh thyme sprigs.
How much tomato paste is used in the sauce?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of tomato paste.
What liquid provides the base for the piccata sauce?
A combination of 1 cup low sodium chicken broth and 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar is used.
Is sugar used in this savory dish?
Yes, 1 1/2 teaspoons of light brown sugar are added to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
How many sprigs of fresh thyme are needed?
You will need 6 sprigs of fresh thyme.
How much should the sauce be reduced?
The sauce should simmer until it reduces to approximately 1/2 cup.
When do I add the butter to the sauce?
Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the butter gradually, one tablespoon at a time, after the sauce has reduced.
What size skillet is recommended?
A 12-inch skillet is recommended for cooking the chicken and the sauce.
Why should I scrape the bottom of the pan while simmering?
Scraping the bottom releases the browned bits (fond) which add deep flavor to the sauce.
What type of butter should be used?
The recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
What should I serve with Savory Chicken Piccata?
It is recommended to serve this dish over fluffy rice or alongside roasted vegetables.
How long does it take to reduce the sauce?
It typically takes about 6 to 7 minutes for the sauce to reduce to the desired amount.
Should the chicken be seasoned before cooking?
Yes, generously season both sides of the chicken cutlets with table salt and freshly ground black pepper.
What kind of vinegar is best for this recipe?
White wine vinegar is used to provide the signature zesty tang.
Can I use chicken broth with salt?
The recipe suggests low sodium chicken broth so you can better control the saltiness of the final dish.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
Sauté the minced shallot and tomato paste in 2 teaspoons of oil for about 30 seconds using residual heat.
Is this a good recipe for entertaining?
Yes, it is described as a delightful blend of flavors that is sure to impress family and friends while remaining simple to prepare.