Description
Zesty chicken with lemon caper sauce brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Tangy capers and bright citrus create a quick, elegant meal that delights home cooks and guests alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup flour (for dredging)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup white wine (or additional chicken broth)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Generously season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with flour, ensuring excess is tapped off.
- Warm olive oil and a portion of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, developing a golden-brown crust and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a holding plate.
- Reduce heat and sauté minced garlic in the same skillet until aromatic, approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Deglaze the pan by adding chicken broth, white wine, fresh lemon juice, and zest. Stir to incorporate pan drippings and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Introduce remaining butter and capers, allowing the sauce to reduce and slightly thicken for 4-5 minutes.
- Gently nestle cooked chicken back into the skillet, basting with the tangy sauce to reheat and marry flavors.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while sauce is hot and glossy.
Notes
- Choose thin chicken breasts for even cooking and faster preparation, ensuring a golden exterior without drying out the meat.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create a crispy, beautiful exterior when searing.
- Adjust wine type based on preference: use dry white like Sauvignon Blanc for sharper flavor or Chardonnay for smoother, rounder taste.
- Low-carb modification works perfectly by replacing flour with almond flour or simply skipping dredging for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg