Description
Tender chicken cutlets simmered in a bright lemon-butter sauce with capers. This elegant Italian-inspired dish comes together quickly and delivers fresh, tangy flavor in every bite, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved into cutlets
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
Sauce
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tbsp capers, drained
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken cutlets evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Dredge Chicken: Lightly coat each chicken cutlet in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a crisp coating without clumping.
- Heat Fat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil along with 1 tablespoon of butter until hot and sizzling to prepare for frying the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Add the chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook them for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through, ensuring juicy meat inside.
- Remove Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a warm plate and set aside to keep warm while preparing the sauce.
- Prepare Sauce: To the same skillet, add fresh lemon juice, chicken broth, and drained capers. Simmer the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan bottom.
- Add Butter: Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted to give the sauce a rich, silky texture.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, spoon the lemon-caper sauce over them to coat well, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately for the best taste.
Notes
- Serve with your choice of pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Using fresh lemon juice greatly enhances the bright, tangy flavor profile of the dish.
- For a thicker, richer sauce, simmer the sauce a few minutes longer before adding butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian