Are you ready to make restaurant quality Italian food at home in just 20 minutes? Mama, this Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata is easy to make and the perfect recipe to make for your dinner tonight! This easy piccata sauce is perfectly silky with no heavy cream necessary, making it lighter and more Mediterranean diet friendly. The Chicken Piccata Ingredients and Mediterranean Chicken Piccata Ingredients are simple pantry staples that create something truly special.
This Easy Mediterranean chicken piccata recipe with boneless chicken creates flavorful chicken piccata with artichokes that's absolutely divine. Make restaurant quality chicken piccata at home in just 20 minutes using butterflied chicken cutlets, briny capers, and a zesty lemon flavor that makes this chicken piccata dish is bursting with flavor. Our easy chicken piccata recipe makes for an easy weeknight dinner that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Ingredients for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- How to Make Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Top Tip
- Little Moments in the Kitchen
- Substitutions for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Variations on Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Equipment for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Storage Tips for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Olivia's Tip for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- FAQ about Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- 📖 Recipe
Why You'll Love This Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
Ready in 20 Minutes: This quick weeknight dinner comes together faster than takeout! Perfect for busy nights when you need something delicious fast for best chicken piccata recipe convenience.
Light and Healthy: Using extra virgin olive oil and a light piccata sauce makes this Mediterranean diet recipes dinners approved. No heavy cream needed for this healthier chicken piccata!
Restaurant Quality: The lemon butter piccata sauce is so good, you'll think you're eating at an expensive Italian restaurant for authentic italian chicken piccata recipe results!
Ingredients for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
This best lemon chicken piccata recipe uses simple ingredients to create elegant results. The key is using quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice for that authentic Mediterranean taste.
What You'll Need
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- ½ cup all purpose flour (for dredging)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Piccata Sauce:
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup dry white wine (optional, can use more broth)
- 3 tablespoons capers, drained
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Lemon slices for garnish
Optional Add Ins:
- 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and halved
- ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes
- Red pepper flakes for heat
Why These Ingredients Matter
Butterflied Chicken Cutlets: Pounding the chicken thin helps it cook quickly and evenly in just a few minutes. This is the secret to tender, juicy chicken that's never dry for chicken piccata easy healthy perfection.
Briny Capers: Capers are essential for authentic chicken piccata! They add a salty, tangy, slightly floral flavor that balances the lemon beautifully for best chicken picatta taste.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Always use fresh lemon juice, never bottled! Fresh lemon gives that bright, zesty flavor that makes this dish sing for mediterranean lemon chicken recipes and lemon piccata chicken recipe authenticity. If you love Mediterranean flavors, check out my Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells too!
How to Make Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
Step by Step Directions
- Prepare the chicken. Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound to about ½ inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Dredge in flour. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. This creates a light coating that helps the sauce stick and gives a nice golden crust for paleo chicken piccata technique.
- Cook the chicken. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts (don't overcrowd, work in batches if needed). Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Make the sauce. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, white wine (if using), and capers. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (that's flavor!). Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly reduced for this mediterranean diet meal plan worthy sauce.
- Finish the sauce. Reduce heat to low and whisk in 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and the sauce is silky smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You might want more lemon juice or a pinch of salt for easy mediterranean diet recipes balance.
- Add chicken back. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over it. Let it warm through for 1 to 2 minutes. If using artichokes, add them now to warm through for italian inspired meals presentation.
- Serve immediately. Transfer chicken to plates, spoon extra sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve hot with your favorite sides for authentic mediterranean recipes dinners elegance!
Hint: Don't skip pounding the chicken thin! Thick chicken breasts take forever to cook and often end up dry on the outside before they're done inside. Thin cutlets cook in minutes and stay juicy for how to make chicken piccata healthy perfection!
Top Tip
Use a large skillet so the chicken has room to cook without steaming. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of getting that beautiful golden crust. Work in batches if you need to!
Gold Tip: Make the sauce while the chicken rests! After cooking the chicken, tent it with foil to keep warm while you make the sauce in the same pan. This saves time and lets the chicken rest so it stays juicy when you slice it for easy chicken piccata meal efficiency and mia recipes style convenience!
Little Moments in the Kitchen
The first time I made chicken piccata, Olivia wrinkled her nose at the capers and said, "What are those weird green things? They look suspicious." I explained they're flower buds pickled in brine and add amazing flavor. She was not convinced. "That sounds gross, Mom."
I made her try one bite. Her eyes got wide and she said, "Wait, this is actually really good. Why does it taste lemony and buttery and fancy?" She ate her entire piece of chicken and then said, "Can we have this every week?" Now when I make it, she specifically asks for "extra of those weird green things" and acts like a food critic, saying things like "the lemon to butter ratio is perfect tonight, Mom." Where does she get this stuff? TikTok, probably. But I'll take the compliments.
Substitutions for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata Parmesan: Top the finished chicken with grated Parmesan cheese before serving. The salty cheese pairs perfectly with the lemon sauce for chicken piccata parmesan richness!
Lemon Chicken Piccata Pasta: Serve this over angel hair pasta or linguine tossed in the sauce. Add extra butter and pasta water to make more sauce for lemon chicken piccata pasta perfection.
Gluten Free: Use gluten free flour or almond flour for dredging. The sauce is naturally gluten free for gluten free mediterranean recipes options!
Variations on Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
With Artichokes: Add canned artichoke hearts to the sauce. This is traditional in some regions of Italy and adds wonderful texture for recipes healthy easy variations!
Creamy Version: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end for a richer sauce. This makes it less Mediterranean but incredibly delicious for healthy weeknight chicken piccata indulgence.
Spicy Piccata: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce and use pepperoncini instead of capers for a spicy kick. This creates amazing mediterranean diet food list approved variations. Try my Ground Turkey and Peppers for another healthy dinner!
Equipment for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
Large Skillet: A 12 inch skillet gives you room to cook the chicken without crowding for the best sear.
Meat Mallet: For pounding chicken to an even thickness so it cooks quickly and evenly.
Shallow Dishes: For the flour dredging station to coat chicken easily.
Whisk: For incorporating the butter smoothly into the sauce at the end.
Storage Tips for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
Refrigerator: Store chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Make fresh sauce when reheating for the best flavor and texture.
Make Ahead: You can pound and flour the chicken ahead of time. Store covered in the fridge and cook when ready to serve for quick dinner prep!
Olivia's Tip for Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
"Make sure you squeeze the lemon juice over a strainer so no seeds get in the sauce. Seeds ruin everything. Also, save some of the flour mixture after dredging the chicken because you can use it to thicken the sauce if it's too thin. Just whisk a tiny bit in. And definitely serve this with pasta because the sauce is the best part and you need something to soak it up!"
FAQ about Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making Chicken Piccata?
Common mistakes include: (1) not pounding chicken thin (leads to uneven cooking), (2) overcrowding the pan (chicken steams instead of browns), (3) using bottled lemon juice (lacks fresh flavor), (4) not deglazing the pan properly (missing all that flavor!), (5) boiling the sauce too hard (becomes bitter), (6) adding butter while heat is too high (breaks and becomes greasy), and (7) overcooking the chicken (becomes dry). Follow the recipe steps carefully for perfect results every time!
Is Chicken Piccata a Mediterranean diet?
Yes! Chicken Piccata fits perfectly into a Mediterranean diet when made traditionally. It uses lean protein (chicken), healthy fats (olive oil instead of butter for cooking), fresh lemon, capers, and minimal ingredients. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes olive oil, lean proteins, vegetables, and fresh herbs, all of which are in this dish. To make it even more Mediterranean, use all olive oil instead of some butter, serve with vegetables or whole grain pasta, and add artichokes for extra nutrients. This is a lighter, healthier version of the Italian American classic. Check out Quick Chicken Piccata for another version!
What is Chicken Piccata traditionally served with?
Chicken Piccata is traditionally served with: pasta (angel hair, linguine, or spaghetti) to soak up the delicious lemon caper sauce, roasted or sautéed vegetables (asparagus, green beans, or broccoli), crusty Italian bread for dipping in sauce, risotto or polenta, or a simple side salad. The key is serving it with something that can absorb or complement the bright, tangy lemon butter sauce. In Italy, it's often served with pasta or potatoes!
What does Mediterranean chicken taste like?
Mediterranean chicken, particularly Chicken Piccata, tastes bright, tangy, and savory with prominent lemon and caper flavors. The lemon provides a zesty, fresh taste while capers add a briny, slightly floral saltiness. The butter (or olive oil) creates richness that balances the acidity. Garlic adds depth and the wine (if used) adds complexity. Overall, it's a lighter tasting dish compared to cream based sauces, with fresh, vibrant flavors that feel clean and satisfying rather than heavy. The taste is sophisticated yet simple, elegant yet approachable!
Conclusion
This Easy Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata is restaurant quality food that you can make at home in less time than it takes to order delivery. The bright lemon sauce with briny capers creates a flavor combination that's absolutely addictive. This is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a real chef but is actually so simple that anyone can master it.
If you loved this best lemon chicken piccata recipe and Mediterranean dinner ideas, you'll want to try my Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup for another cozy meal, or check out my White Chicken Chili for a different take on chicken. This Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata will become your go to for impressing dinner guests, date nights at home, and anytime you want a quick, elegant meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata:
📖 Recipe
Easy Mediterranean Style Chicken Piccata
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Return Chicken & Serve: The chicken goes back into the pan to soak up the sauce. We finish with parsley and lemon slices, then serve it hot, usually with pasta so nothing goes to waste.
- Dredge the Chicken: We mix the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, then coat each chicken cutlet lightly. Olivia shakes off the extra flour like a pro, this keeps the crust light, not heavy.
- Cook the Chicken: I heat the olive oil and butter until shimmering, then sear the chicken until golden. Olivia watches closely for "crispy spots," which she says are the best part.
- Build the Sauce: In the same pan, I sauté garlic, then pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, white wine, and capers. Olivia loves scraping the pan and says it smells "like a fancy restaurant."
- Finish the Sauce: I lower the heat and whisk in the remaining butter until silky. Olivia reminds me not to rush, slow heat makes the sauce smooth, not greasy.
- Return Chicken & Serve: The chicken goes back into the pan to soak up the sauce. We finish with parsley and lemon slices, then serve it hot, usually with pasta so nothing goes to waste.
Nutrition
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour or almond flour.
- For extra Mediterranean flavor, add artichoke hearts to the sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- This pairs beautifully with pasta, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread.
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