If you’re craving something tangy, rich, and downright comforting, this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a quick, elegant dish that combines zesty lemon, briny capers, and a dreamy creamy sauce that will have you coming back for seconds.

Lemon Chicken Piccata - A white plate holds a serving of creamy fettuccine pasta with a smooth, pale yellow sauce coating the noodles. On top of the pasta lies a golden-brown cooked chicken cutlet covered in the same creamy sauce. The sauce is dotted with small green capers and specks of black pepper, adding texture. Two slices of lemon, one whole round and one wedge, rest on the chicken, providing a bright yellow contrast. Fresh green parsley is sprinkled on top, enhancing the presentation. A fork is placed on the right side of the plate, partially resting on the pasta. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I whipped up this creamy lemon chicken piccata—it tasted like a restaurant dish, but it was so easy to make at home! What makes this recipe special is how it balances bright citrus with buttery richness seamlessly.

Bright and Creamy: The lemon juice brings lively tang while the cream adds smoothness, creating the perfect harmony in every bite.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these staples already, making a delicious dinner just a few steps away.
Quick and Impressive: Ready in about 30 minutes, it looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Versatile Pairing: Goes beautifully with pasta, rice, or your favorite veggies for a full comforting meal.

Lemon Chicken Piccata - The image shows a close-up of golden brown cooked pieces of meat with a crispy texture on the top, partially covered in a creamy white sauce with visible green herbs and small dark green capers scattered around. Lemon slices with bright yellow skin and pale yellow flesh are placed around the dish, adding a fresh touch. The sauce has a smooth texture and is thick enough to coat the meat and pool slightly around it. There are small bits of green herbs sprinkled on the surface, enhancing the visual contrast. The scene is set on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe comes from the fresh, simple ingredients that pack a punch. Each component plays its part to create that silky sauce and flavorful chicken everyone raves about.

Lemon Chicken Piccata - Flat lay of four raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a smooth, pale pink surface, fresh vibrant yellow lemon slices arranged around them, small piles of bright green chopped parsley leaves, plump green capers scattered artistically, several peeled garlic cloves with their papery white skins, a small mound of fine white flour, and a few dollops of creamy pale yellow butter, all placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken breasts: Pounding them to an even thickness ensures quick, even cooking without drying out.
Flour: A light dredge helps create that golden crust while thickening the sauce slightly.
Butter: Adds richness and helps develop the sauce’s velvety texture.
Olive oil: Keeps the chicken golden and moist without burning the butter.
Garlic: Small but mighty, it infuses the sauce with fragrant warmth.
Chicken broth: Lifts all the flavors and adds depth without overpowering.
Heavy cream: Smooths out the tang and adds luscious body to the sauce.
Capers: Those little bursts of briny goodness contrast perfectly with the creamy sauce.
Lemon juice: The star that brightens and balances every bite.
Parsley: Fresh and herbaceous, it’s the perfect finishing touch.
Cornstarch slurry (optional): Great for a thicker sauce if you’re pressed for time or prefer a slightly denser sauce.
Lemon slices (for garnish): Adds a prettiness and an extra lemony punch at serving.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe depending on the season or my mood. The base is fantastic, but feel free to personalize it so it feels like “your” dish every time.

Variation: When I want a richer sauce, I toss in some freshly grated Parmesan—makes it extra indulgent and it’s absolutely delicious.
Spicy kick: If you like a little heat, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes wakes things up perfectly without overpowering the lemony sauce.
Herbal freshness: Try swapping parsley with fresh thyme or basil for a different herbaceous note that refreshes the palate.
Wine lover’s twist: A splash of dry white wine to deglaze the pan adds a lovely depth of flavor—just let it cook off before adding the broth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Perfectly

The first thing I do is pound the chicken breasts until they’re about 1 inch thick—this helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Season both sides well with salt and pepper, then dredge them lightly in flour, shaking off the excess so you don’t get a gummy crust. This step is crucial for that golden sear we want!

Step 2: Sear Until Golden

Heat a mix of butter and olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat—this combo prevents the butter from burning while lending richness. Cook the chicken about 4-5 minutes per side until it’s got that beautiful golden crust. Then set it aside and don’t skip wiping up those tasty browned bits left in the pan—they’re liquid gold for your sauce!

Step 3: Build Your Sauce

Reduce heat to medium-low and melt the remaining butter. Toss in minced garlic and cook just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Next, pour in chicken broth and scrape up those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream, then bring everything to a gentle boil. Stir in capers, lemon juice, and parsley, and adjust salt and pepper to your taste. If you want the sauce thicker quicker, toss in the cornstarch slurry now; otherwise, simmer gently until it reaches your preferred creaminess.

Step 4: Combine & Serve

Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the sauce over the tops, and let it warm through for a minute or two. Garnish with more fresh parsley and lemon slices for a bright, fresh look. Serve right away over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes with steamed veggies for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Top Tip

After making this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe several times, I’ve picked up some handy tips that really push the dish from good to great every time.

Don’t Skip Pounding: Ensuring the chicken is an even thickness is the secret to juicy, perfectly cooked meat without overcooking thinner parts.
Use the Butter-Oil Combo: This balance keeps your pan hot enough for a crisp sear while stopping the butter from burning prematurely.
Scrape Up Those Brown Bits: They add tons of flavor to your sauce—always deglaze thoroughly before adding liquids.
Adjust Sauce Thickness: If you like a thinner sauce, let it reduce gently over time; if you’re in a hurry, the cornstarch slurry is your best friend.

How to Serve Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Lemon Chicken Piccata - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always garnish with extra chopped parsley and thin lemon slices—both brighten the presentation and add fresh bursts of flavor with every bite. Sometimes I throw on a few extra capers, too, for that pop of saltiness that excites the palate.

Side Dishes

Rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes work wonderfully. My favorite? Garlic buttered linguine that soaks up all that luscious sauce. For veggies, steamed asparagus or green beans add just enough crunch and freshness to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I serve individual portions on bedded arugula or baby spinach leaves. It not only looks stunning but also adds a peppery bite that contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce. Or try stacking the chicken atop roasted fingerling potatoes for an elevated twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover chicken and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors actually deepen overnight, making it taste even better the next day!

Freezing

I prefer freezing the chicken and sauce separately for best texture. The sauce freezes well and can be thawed in the fridge overnight. When reheating, gently warm on low to avoid breaking the sauce’s creaminess.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers slowly in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce feels too thick or clumpy. This preserves its velvety texture and keeps the chicken moist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and bring a bit more juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through but not overdone.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

To make a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based spread, use coconut cream or a non-dairy cream alternative, and skip the heavy cream or replace it with cashew cream. For a vegan twist, swap chicken with plant-based cutlets or cauliflower steaks and adapt the cooking accordingly.

Why do you recommend pounded chicken for this recipe?

Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly and stay juicy. Without this, thinner parts can dry out while thicker areas may remain undercooked. It also creates a tender texture that's perfect for the silky piccata sauce.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the sauce up to a day ahead. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container, then gently reheat on the stove before adding the cooked chicken. Be sure to stir occasionally so the sauce remains smooth and doesn't separate.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe has become my go-to for impressing guests or lifting an everyday dinner. It’s approachable, quick, and full of flavor without needing a long list of fancy ingredients. I hope you give it a try and find as much joy in cooking and eating it as I do—it’s like a little sunshine on your plate.