100+ Surnames Chicken Piccata
Pan-seared chicken breasts with a zesty lemon-caper sauce, honoring the top 100 surnames recorded in the 2010 Census. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, all-purpose flour, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 lemon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pound 4 chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness between parchment paper. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Dredge each breast in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup white wine and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes until liquid reduces by half.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp capers and 1 tbsp lemon zest. Squeeze juice from 1 lemon into the sauce, then add 3 tbsp melted butter. Return chicken to skillet and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and remaining lemon juice from the second lemon. Serve immediately with the sauce spooned over the chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 100+ Surnames Chicken Piccata take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover 100+ Surnames Chicken Piccata?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in 100+ Surnames Chicken Piccata?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale 100+ Surnames Chicken Piccata for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with 100+ Surnames Chicken Piccata?
Italian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
