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Tangy Lemon Caper Chicken Recipe

Tangy Lemon Caper Chicken Recipe


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4.6 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory lemon caper chicken delight blends Mediterranean zest with classic comfort. Tangy capers and bright citrus elevate tender chicken into a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) chicken cutlets or fillets, boneless, skinless, butterflied
  • 1 cup (120 g) flour
  • 10 tbsps (141 g) unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsps (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken stock
  • 1 ¾ tsps (8.75 g) sea salt
  • 2 tbsps (30 g) capers, drained
  • ½ tsp (1 g) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp (2 g) lemon zest (from 1 lemon), plus more to taste
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp (9 g) minced garlic (from 46 cloves)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, optional

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then thoroughly coat with flour, gently removing excess powder.
  2. Searing: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a golden cooking surface. Sear chicken pieces until golden-brown and fully cooked, working in batches and adding oil as needed. Transfer cooked chicken to a platter.
  3. Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté shallots until translucent, then quickly add minced garlic, stirring to prevent burning and release fragrant notes.
  4. Sauce Creation: Pour chicken stock into the skillet, simmering and reducing by half. Lower heat and whisk in butter, capers, lemon zest, and lemon juice to create a luxurious, tangy sauce.
  5. Finishing: Drizzle the aromatic sauce evenly over the chicken cutlets. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous touch before serving.

Notes

  • Flour Power: Shake off excess flour to prevent burning and ensure a crisp, even golden-brown crust on chicken.
  • Heat Management: Use medium-high heat for perfect searing, creating a beautiful caramelized exterior while keeping chicken juicy inside.
  • Sauce Secrets: Don’t clean the skillet after cooking chicken – those browned bits add incredible depth of flavor to your sauce.
  • Caper Care: Add capers at the end of sauce preparation to maintain their bright, briny pop and prevent overcooking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 530
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg