Lemon Chicken Piccata is a budget-friendly take on an Italian classic! Incredibly easy, low carb, and diabetic-friendly, this piccata recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.
Chicken piccata was one of the first authentic Italian recipes I ever tried. From the first bite, I was hooked!
Tender chicken breast smothered with a tart lemon-caper butter sauce… ah, heaven.
Chicken piccata (or veal piccata) quickly became my menu item of choice when dining out. Finally, after ordering this dish more times than I can count, I decided to start making it at home.
After tasting so many restaurant versions, I knew I wanted a recipe that was a perfect balance of tart, salty and creamy.
This lemon chicken piccata delivers on all counts! The best part, aside from being much cheaper than the restaurant version, is that this delicious chicken is ridiculously easy to make — even on a weeknight!
How to make lemon chicken piccata
The name “chicken piccata” makes it sound like a complicated and fancy recipe, but it’s actually very easy to make. In fact, everything comes together in one skillet!
Step 1: Slice each chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you get two thin chicken slices from each breast.
Step 2: If necessary, use a mallet or other heavy object to flatten the chicken breasts until they’re about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick.
Step 3: Dredge the chicken breast slices in just a little bit of flour seasoned with salt and pepper. You don’t want a heavy coat, just a very light dusting.
Step 4: Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breast slices to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken slices from the pan and set aside.
Step 5: Add the wine to the saute pan, stirring and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
Step 6: Add the lemon juice and chicken stock. Increase the heat to high and boil until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.
Step 7: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Stir in the capers and parsley, then add the chicken back to the pan to rewarm. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning.
Doesn’t that look just delicious?
Making the perfect sauce
The browned chicken breast will be delicious, but the sauce is really what makes this dish so incredible! So I have a few tips for making the best sauce you possibly can.
If at all possible, use a dry white wine in this dish. It helps to “mellow” out the sharpness of the lemon juice and create a great, balanced flavor profile.
If you prefer to omit the alcohol, you can substitute the same amount of chicken stock. Keep in mind that this will add extra salt, so I would suggest rinsing the capers and omitting the salt from the flour you use to dust the chicken.
Planning to make this recipe for a special occasion, or just looking for something insanely delicious? Whisk a little heavy cream into the sauce just before serving! This takes an already amazing dish to the next level.
What to serve with chicken piccata
This recipe is delicious with just a side salad if you want something simple. The flavors of the chicken are so tasty, you don’t really need much else.
On the other hand, I love having something to soak up the amazing lemon sauce! In that case, I’ll serve the chicken over zucchini noodles or rice. It really depends on how many carbs you want to eat.
If you choose a low carb side, the recipe is also great for anyone following a ketogenic diet. Flour is not a typical keto ingredient, but the amount used here is so minimal, it doesn’t have a high impact on the carbs. You could also substitute for almond flour.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can reheat this dish in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. I recommend reheating slowly to avoid over-cooking the chicken.
Other healthy chicken recipes
I always love having delicious, healthy chicken recipes that are easy enough to make on a weeknight. If you do too, then here are a few more I know you’ll love:
You can also check out my list of the best diabetic chicken recipes or read this amazing guide to baking the perfect chicken breast.
When you’ve tried this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
Lemon Chicken Piccata
Ingredients
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1½ tbsp. all purpose flour
- ¼ tsp. white pepper
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- ⅓ cup dry white wine
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken stock
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup drained capers
- ¼ cup Italian Parsley (minced)
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you get two thin chicken slices from each breast.
- If necessary, use a mallet or other heavy object to flatten the chicken breasts until they’re about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick.
- Dredge the chicken breasts slices in just a little bit of flour seasoned with salt and pepper. You don’t want a heavy coat, just a very light dusting.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breast slices to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken slices from the pan and set aside.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breast slices to the pan. Cook for 3 -4 minutes until browned. Turn the chicken slices over and brown on the other side. Remove the chicken slices from the pan and set aside.
- Add the wine to the saute pan, stirring and scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Add the lemon juice and chicken stock. Increase the heat to high and boil until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Stir in the capers and parsley, then add the chicken back to the pan to rewarm. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning.
I made this last night. Tweaked just a little with adding lemon zest to the flour mixture. Adding mushrooms and artichoke hearts as well. Basically making a one pan meal. Was loved by all including non diabetics who are afraid of losing taste.
Lovely dinner! I love capers and hadnt even thought piccatta until running across this. I served with green beans I had roasted in olive oil. Also, I read the comment about someone’s glucose levels remaining unchanged. I need to help husband watch that.
I made this for my mum & I but left the capers out. Loved it & we would have it again
Cooked this recipe tonight and really enjoyed it. We had it with a Greek Salad, it was delicious and quite filling. I will definitely make this again.
Oh and when I checked my BGL at bedtime about 2 hours after eating the levels were perfect.
So for me this was a good tasting, filling, low carb meal that didn’t have a negative effect on my Blood Glucose Levels.
Success! I’m glad you enjoyed it
I have made this recipe several times and my family always loves this! Delicious!!
I made it. So easy, so gooooood! We can not wait to make it again it is so good. Highly recommended. Thanks for the recipe.
Tried this recipe tonight. This is a keeper! Very simple. Very Easy, VERY Good! Recommended!
Very easy and extremely delicious. I will make this often. It’s great with eggplant in place of chicken, too!
I made this for my wife and I and we both loved it. Easy and quick to make
Isn’t flour a no no for diabetics? I want to try this, but should I be worried about the flour?
There’s nothing you can’t eat with diabetes. You do have to know what you eat though, and since carbohydrates (which includes flour) is what will impact blood sugars the most we should pay attention to the amounts we eat. This recipe only has 3.4 g carbs per serving (2.8 net carbs) which is minimal, so I personally wouldn’t worry about the carb count