Tangy Chicken Piccata With Artichokes Recipe

Zesty Lemon Chicken Piccata with Artichokes Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this zesty chicken piccata with artichokes hits the spot perfectly.

Bright lemon flavors dance across tender chicken breasts, creating a mouthwatering main course.

Capers add a delightful punch of saltiness to each bite.

The artichokes bring a subtle earthy note that complements the tangy sauce beautifully.

Fresh herbs scattered on top add a vibrant finishing touch to this classic Italian-inspired dish.

You’ll love how quickly this elegant meal comes together without complicated steps.

Serve this restaurant-quality chicken piccata and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.

Pairing & Serving Chicken Piccata

  • Rustic Italian Plate Presentation: Arrange golden chicken piccata over a bed of creamy polenta, letting the artichoke-studded sauce cascade beautifully around the meat for an elegant Mediterranean-inspired look.
  • Bright Citrus Companion: Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley to add vibrant color and a zesty punch that complements the rich, tangy sauce of the dish.
  • Wine Pairing Magic: Serve alongside a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, which will enhance the lemony notes and cut through the buttery chicken perfectly.
  • Hearty Side Suggestions: Pair with roasted asparagus or a light arugula salad to balance the richness of the piccata and create a complete, satisfying meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips for Piccata Fans

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Place a paper towel inside to absorb extra moisture and maintain the crispy texture.
  • Freezing Technique: Carefully wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen chicken piccata stays delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm leftover chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth or white wine to restore moisture and revive the original flavors.
  • Advance Preparation Hack: Prepare chicken and sauce components up to 24 hours before serving. Keep seasoned chicken and chopped ingredients separately in the refrigerator, then quickly assemble and cook when ready to eat, saving precious time during meal preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 395 kcal

Servings: 4

What You’ll Need for Chicken Piccata

For Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender meat that becomes juicy and golden when seared, selecting boneless and skinless cuts ensures quick and even cooking.
  • Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Fundamental seasonings that enhance chicken's natural flavor and create a delicious aromatic base for the dish.
For Coating:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crispy, light exterior that helps seal in chicken's moisture and provides beautiful golden-brown coloration when seared.
For Cooking Fat:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Combination provides rich flavor and helps achieve perfect golden sear, olive oil prevents butter from burning while adding heart-healthy notes.

Tools for a Fancy-Pants Chicken Dinner

  • Large skillet: Perfect for searing chicken and creating a delicious sauce.
  • Tongs: Helps flip chicken pieces and transfer them in and out of the pan smoothly.
  • Measuring spoons: Essential for accurately portioning salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oil.
  • Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for preparing and seasoning chicken.
  • Shallow dish: Ideal for dredging chicken pieces in flour.
  • Whisk: Great for blending sauce ingredients and ensuring smooth consistency.
  • Spatula: Useful for scraping pan drippings and mixing ingredients.

Instructions for Piccata with Artichoke Perks

  • Prep Your Protein

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over chicken breasts. Give them a light coating of flour, gently tapping off any extra.

  • Fire Up the Skillet

Warm olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium-high heat until it starts to sizzle and dance.

  • Brown the Chicken

Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot pan. Let them sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

  • Rest the Meat

Transfer the beautifully cooked chicken to a separate plate, allowing them to take a quick breather while you prepare the next steps.

  • Create the Sauce

In the same pan, add white wine, fresh lemon juice, and capers. Scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

  • Introduce Artichokes

Toss in quartered artichoke hearts, letting them warm through and absorb the tangy sauce flavors.

  • Reunite and Finish

Return the chicken to the pan, coating it in the zesty sauce. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and perfectly combined.

  • Plate and Garnish

Transfer the chicken and artichokes to serving plates. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite side.

Piccata Perfection: Flavor Tips & Hacks

  • Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the flour mixture for a subtle kick of heat that complements the lemony sauce.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken and dredge in flour up to 4 hours in advance, storing on a baking sheet in the refrigerator to save time during meal prep.
  • Gluten-Free Twist: Swap traditional flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising the crispy texture.
  • Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with thick slices of portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, following the same breading and cooking technique for a plant-based alternative that maintains the classic piccata flavor profile.
  • Light and Lean: Use skinless chicken breasts and reduce butter, substituting with additional olive oil to create a healthier version of this classic Italian-American dish.
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Tangy Chicken Piccata With Artichokes Recipe

Tangy Chicken Piccata With Artichokes Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent chicken piccata with artichokes delivers a classic Italian-American fusion of tangy lemon, briny capers, and tender artichoke hearts. Simple ingredients combine to create a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (120 ml) white wine
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice
  • 1 cup artichoke hearts
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsps capers
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Seasoning: Infuse chicken cutlets with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring a comprehensive and even flavor profile.
  2. Flouring: Delicately envelop each chicken piece in a gossamer layer of flour, expertly removing excess to achieve a pristine, light coating.
  3. Searing: Transform the skillet into a culinary canvas by melting olive oil and butter together, creating a golden-brown stage for the chicken cutlets over medium-high heat; cook each side for 3-4 minutes until a rich, caramelized exterior emerges.
  4. Resting: Carefully transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a holding plate, preserving its warmth and succulence while preparing the sauce.
  5. Sauce Foundation: Leverage the intensely flavored pan remnants as a robust base, introducing artichoke hearts, capers, white wine, and fresh lemon juice to craft a vibrant and tangy piccata sauce.
  6. Finishing: Reunite the golden chicken cutlets with the bubbling sauce, gently coating each piece and allowing the flavors to harmonize for 2-3 minutes; garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately alongside your preferred accompaniment.

Notes

  • Perfectly Prepare Protein: Pound chicken cutlets to uniform thickness (about 1/4 inch) to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
  • Flour Coating Technique: Allow floured chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cooking, helping the flour adhere better and creating a crispier exterior.
  • Sauce Balancing Trick: Use fresh lemon juice for bright acidity and adjust sauce consistency by reducing or adding broth, creating a perfectly balanced piccata sauce.
  • Diet-Friendly Modifications: Swap chicken with firm white fish like cod or use thin turkey cutlets for alternative protein options that work beautifully with piccata’s tangy profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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