Description
A rich, creamy, and tangy chicken piccata featuring juicy thighs, briny capers, and a velvety lemon butter sauce, inspired by traditional Italian family recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons briny capers, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in flour, shaking off any excess to create a light dusting.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once foaming, add rinsed capers and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in lemon zest.
- Reduce heat to low. Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Return chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Warm through for 1 minute.
- Stir in fresh parsley and serve immediately over mashed potatoes, pasta, or with crusty bread.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for a good sear. Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Keep heat low when adding cream to prevent curdling. Capers should be rinsed to remove excess salt. This dish does not freeze well due to the cream; store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken w
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken piccata, creamy lemon butter chicken, italian chicken recipe, easy weeknight dinner, chicken thighs, lemon caper sauce