Best 5 Light Chicken Piccata Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary delight that blends the tangy brightness of lemon with the savory richness of chicken in our curated collection of Light Chicken Piccata recipes. This classic Italian dish is both elegant and approachable, inviting home cooks of all skill levels to embark on a flavorful journey. Discover a spectrum of recipes tailored to diverse dietary preferences, including gluten-free, low-carb, and dairy-free adaptations. Each recipe promises a symphony of flavors, offering a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and herbaceous notes. Prepare to be captivated by the burst of citrusy goodness that complements the tender chicken, creating a dish that is both light and satisfying.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

LIGHTENED-UP CHICKEN PICCATA



Lightened-Up Chicken Piccata image

Piccata is a classic preparation for chicken, but can be heavy on your diet as it's a butter and wine-based sauce. This lighter version saves you calories by adding the zip of white wine with a tiny bit of vinegar to finish (as opposed to a cup or more simmered down), and getting the most of 1 tablespoon of butter by swirling it into the sauce at the end.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 37m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound chicken scaloppini (about 4 ounces each)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, divided
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, zest reserved for optional garnish, about 2 tablespoons juice
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Baby arugula for garnish
Whole-wheat angel hair pasta or roasted potatoes, for serving

Steps:

  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon flour.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot; cook the cutlets until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cutlets to a plate. (Reserve the skillet.) Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium.
  • Add the remaining teaspoon oil and garlic to the same skillet; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk together the broth, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon flour, and add to the pan. Simmer sauce until reduced and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, parsley and capers. Swirl in the butter until sauce is shiny and slightly thickened.
  • Serve chicken with the sauce. Toss the arugula and freshly grated lemon zest with a light drizzle of olive oil; season to taste with salt and pepper, scatter over chicken. Serve with pasta or potatoes as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Sugar 0 grams, Protein 25 grams, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Sodium 326 milligrams, Cholesterol 80 milligrams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Fat 9.5 grams, Calories 207

CHICKEN PICCATA



Chicken Piccata image

For dinner this week, make Giada De Laurentiis' famous Chicken Piccata recipe, a comforting Italian classic made with lemon, butter and capers.

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour, for dredging
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.
  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.
  • Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

LIGHT CHICKEN PICCATA



Light Chicken Piccata image

A nice, healthy version of chicken piccata. Very light dish. My boyfriend requests it at least once a week!

Provided by KBJORNSTAD

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 3h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces lowfat plain yogurt
4 boned and skinned chicken breast halves
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon margarine
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup white vermouth
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup lemon juice
½ cup water
2 tablespoons capers

Steps:

  • Coat chicken with yogurt, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  • Rinse chicken, and pat dry with paper towels.
  • In a bowl, stir together flour, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Heat oil, margarine, and 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice in skillet over medium heat. Dredge chicken in flour mixture. Place chicken in skillet; cook, turning to brown both sides, about 15 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate, and keep warm.
  • Pour vermouth into skillet, and scrape brown bits with a wooden spoon. Stir in garlic, 1/4 cup lemon juice, water, and capers. Cook until reduced by half.
  • Return chicken to the pan, and simmer 3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.1 calories, Carbohydrate 28.2 g, Cholesterol 71.8 mg, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 32.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 261 mg, Sugar 9.6 g

PERFECT CHICKEN PICCATA



Perfect Chicken Piccata image

Briny capers and a tangy, fresh lemon sauce top tender pieces of breaded chicken in this easy, restaurant-quality recipe for chicken piccata. The sauce is so addicting, you'll want to drink it! Serve with pasta.

Provided by NicoleMcmom

Categories     Chicken Piccata

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons butter, divided
¼ cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
3 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
¾ cup chicken stock
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise and lightly pound to 1/2-inch thick. Season evenly on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour to coat the surface and shake off any excess flour.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke. Add 1/2 of the chicken and cook, undisturbed, until browned and easily released from the skillet, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the skillet. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the drippings and repeat the cooking process with remaining chicken. Reserve all chicken on a plate.
  • Reduce heat to medium and melt remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in the skillet. Add wine and capers and stir, scraping to release any browned bits from the skillet; bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes to slightly reduce. Add chicken stock, lemon juice, and lemon zest; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Return chicken to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally in the sauce, until chicken is no longer pink in the center, the juices run clear, and the sauce has thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 391.1 calories, Carbohydrate 18.8 g, Cholesterol 89.9 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 29.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 1268.4 mg

EASY CHICKEN PICCATA



Easy Chicken Piccata image

Easy chicken recipes are my go-to dinner choice. My chicken piccata pasta dish is ready to serve in a half hour. It takes just a few minutes in the oven to bake to tender perfection. -Hannah Williams, Malibu, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chicken stock
3 to 4 tablespoons capers, drained
2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cut chicken breasts in half crosswise. Pound with a meat mallet to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow bowl. Dip chicken in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess., In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches, adding additional oil as needed. Transfer chicken to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish., Add stock, capers and lemon juice to pan, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until creamy. Pour sauce over chicken. Bake 5-10 minutes or until no longer pink.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 382 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 117mg cholesterol, Sodium 725mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 36g protein.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use high-quality chicken breasts or thighs. Organic, free-range chicken is ideal.
  • Make sure the chicken is thinly sliced so that it cooks quickly and evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
  • Use a good quality olive oil for sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
  • Don't add the lemon juice too early, or it will make the sauce bitter.
  • Serve the chicken piccata immediately over pasta, rice, or your favorite side dish.

Conclusion:

This lightened-up version of chicken piccata is a delicious and healthy meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. The chicken is tender and flavorful, the sauce is tangy and bright, and the vegetables add a pop of color and nutrition. Serve this dish over your favorite pasta or rice for a complete meal.

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