Description
Barefoot Contessa chicken piccata brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to classic poultry. Lemon, capers, and white wine create a tangy sauce that elevates chicken breasts to elegant dining you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 whole chicken breast)
- 1 extra-large egg
- ½ cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (180 ml) seasoned dry bread crumbs
- ½ tbsp (7.5 ml) water
- ½ cup (120 ml) dry white wine
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- 3 tbsps (45 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
- Olive oil (for cooking)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon slices (for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep Station: Organize dredging zones with seasoned flour, egg wash, and bread crumbs. Tenderize chicken breasts between parchment paper, flattening to uniform thickness and seasoning generously with salt and black pepper.
- Coating Process: Methodically dredge each chicken breast through flour, removing excess, then immerse in egg mixture, and finally coat completely with bread crumbs, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Initial Searing: Heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium-low temperature. Sear chicken breasts for 2 minutes per side until achieving golden-brown exterior, creating crisp texture.
- Oven Finishing: Transfer seared chicken to parchment-lined sheet pan preheated to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 5-10 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Sauce Creation: Clean sauté pan and melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate lemon juice, white wine, reserved lemon halves, salt, and pepper. Reduce sauce by boiling on high heat for approximately 2 minutes, concentrating flavors.
- Serving Technique: Remove sauce from heat, swirl in remaining butter for luxurious richness. Plate chicken breasts, discarding lemon halves. Drizzle sauce elegantly over each piece, garnishing with fresh lemon slice and chopped parsley for vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Flatten chicken breasts evenly to 1/4-inch thickness for consistent cooking and tender texture.
- Dredging Technique: Create a clean, organized assembly line with flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs to ensure even coating and crispy exterior.
- Temperature Control: Use medium-low heat when searing to prevent burning and achieve a golden-brown crust without overcooking the chicken.
- Sauce Perfection: Reduce sauce quickly over high heat to concentrate flavors and create a rich, glossy finish that complements the crispy chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg