Sautéed Chicken with Lemon, Dill, and Capers
Juicy chicken breasts bathed in a vibrant lemon-dill sauce with a briny kick from capers, ready in under 30 minutes. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, finely chopped fresh dill, tablespoons, drained capers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 (about 1.5 lbs total, 6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons, drained capers
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet. Add lemon slices and cook for 1 minute until softened, then stir in 2 tablespoons capers and cook for 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped dill, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently, until sauce thickens slightly and chicken is heated through.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with additional lemon slices and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Lemon, Dill, and Capers take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Sautéed Chicken with Lemon, Dill, and Capers?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Lemon, Dill, and Capers?
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 Sautéed Chicken with Lemon, Dill, and Capers 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 Sautéed Chicken with Lemon, Dill, and Capers?
French 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
- ★★★★★
My family loved the fresh taste. I'll make this again for Sunday dinner.
- ★★★★★
This dish was a hit at my dinner party! The lemon and dill complemented the chicken perfectly.
- ★★★★☆
Great flavor, but the capers made it a bit salty for my taste. Took about 30 minutes to cook as expected.
