Save A vibrant and zesty rice bowl featuring juicy chicken breast in a lemony piccata sauce, served over steamed rice with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick yet elegant meal.
I love making this dish when I want something flavorful but fast for dinner. It always impresses friends and family with its elegant taste without a lot of fuss.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 500 g) cut into 1-inch pieces
- Rice: 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 300 g)
- Coating & Seasoning: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Cooking: 2 tbsp olive oil
- Sauce: 2 cloves garlic finely minced, 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), 2 tbsp capers drained and rinsed, 2 tbsp unsalted butter (use dairy-free margarine for dairy-free option)
- Garnish: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, lemon slices for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a shallow bowl mix flour salt and black pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour shaking off excess.
- Step 2:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes stirring occasionally until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Step 3:
- In the same skillet add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4:
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice scraping any browned bits from the pan. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5:
- Stir in capers and return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6:
- Stir in butter until melted and sauce is glossy. Remove from heat.
- Step 7:
- To serve divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top with chicken and spoon over the piccata sauce. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
Save Our family loves gathering around this dish especially when topped with fresh parsley and lemon slices—always a hit at our dinner table.
Notes
For extra flavor add a splash of dry white wine with the broth. Add steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach for more vegetables.
Required Tools
Large skillet shallow bowl knife and cutting board rice cooker or saucepan
Allergen Information
Contains Gluten (flour) Dairy (butter use substitute as needed). May contain Sulfites (capers wine if used). Always verify ingredient labels for specific allergens.
Save This dish combines ease with vibrant flavors making it perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for guests.
Recipe Guide
- → How can I make the piccata sauce dairy-free?
Replace unsalted butter with a plant-based margarine or olive oil to keep the sauce dairy-free without losing richness.
- → What rice types work best with this dish?
Both white and brown rice complement the tangy sauce well; for low-carb options, quinoa or cauliflower rice can be used.
- → Can I add vegetables to this bowl?
Yes, steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach pair nicely and add extra color and nutrition to the bowl.
- → Is it important to dredge the chicken in flour?
Coating the chicken in seasoned flour helps achieve a golden crust and thickens the piccata sauce slightly during cooking.
- → What’s the purpose of capers in the sauce?
Capers add a briny, tangy flavor that enhances the lemony brightness and balances the buttery elements.