This healthy chicken piccata isn’t breaded or fried, but it still has all the flavor of the original. As a bonus, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes using your pressure cooker or Instant Pot! 

Overhead view of chicken with capers and lemon slices.
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I bought an Instant Pot awhile ago and while I mainly use it for making boiled eggs, I also frequently cook chicken in it. I should probably branch out, but I tend to be a creature of habit. Chicken with salsa verde, chicken with regular salsa, and Shelly’s chicken piccata. We love Shelly’s chicken piccata.

Since I was doing Whole30 and I was still craving chicken piccata, I decided to make it compliant to the program and also lighten it up a bit (it’s not a super heavy recipe to begin with but this recipe is lower calorie, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Ben and I both loved this version, and truthfully, it’s easier too since it eliminates a couple of steps.

There I go again, making things easier and healthier. It’s kinda what I do.

Cooked chicken on a plate with lemon slices and capers.

This healthy chicken piccata is ready in 30 minutes, which is probably one of the reasons it is one of my go-to recipes. You’ll find that it’s full of flavor thanks to garlic, lemon, chicken broth, oregano, and basil. The capers add a nice salty bite that keeps you coming back for more.

Recipe Tip

If you’re following the Whole30 program, make sure you’re reading labels! Many store-bought chicken broths and chicken stocks contain sugar or honey.

I usually serve chicken piccata with rice (try making brown rice in the Instant Pot!) topped with the delicious sauce from the pan. We always have vegetables with it. Asparagus and green beans (try these Parmesan roasted green beans!) are my favorites with this healthy chicken piccata. It’s also great with pasta – you could slice the chicken and serve it over a bed of pasta with the sauce that you find in the Instant Pot when it’s done cooking.

Chicken with capers and lemon slices in front of an instant pot on a white background.

If you keep capers stocked in your pantry like I do, this recipe uses all ingredients you’re likely to have on hand!

Enjoy!

More Instant Pot Recipes

Recipe

Healthy Chicken Piccata in the Instant Pot

4.40 from 155 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Healthy chicken piccata isn’t breaded, but it still has all the flavor of the original. Plus, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes using your pressure cooker!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 – 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken stock (see note)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 jar (4 oz) capers, drained

Instructions 

  • Heat Instant Pot to Saute and add oil. Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken and add to hot Instant Pot. Brown chicken for about 4 minutes on each side and then remove to a plate.
  • Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
  • Add broth, lemon juice, oregano, and basil and scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the Instant Pot. Return chicken to Instant Pot and sprinkle capers on top.
  • Put cover on (make sure vent is turned to “seal”). Set Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook, depending on the model) for 10 minutes.
  • Once done, quick release the pressure. Use an instant read thermometer and ensure chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve chicken with sauce in pan.

Notes

Note: Many chicken broths and stocks contain sugar or honey. If you’re doing Whole30, make sure to read the label and find one that is compliant. Making your own is always a great option, too! 

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 4, Calories: 413kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 71g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 193mg, Sodium: 346mg, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.40 from 155 votes (149 ratings without comment)

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101 Comments

  1. Vicky says:

    Turned out I didn’t have time to let it sit, anyway!  It turned out delicious!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Great! So glad you liked it! It’s one of our favorites.

  2. Vicky says:

    How do you think this would do on the “keep warm” setting for an hour or two? I love the idea of making something ahead of time and eating it when we’re ready, but some things don’t keep well if left on keep warm too long. Thanks!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Hi Vicky! I think the chicken would have the tendency to dry out if you left it on the keep warm setting for that long, but I haven’t tested it so I’m not 100% sure. Let us know if you try it!

  3. Lisa says:

    We did the Instant Pot version with chicken thighs and a side of asparagus. Incredibley tasty!!

    1. Lisa says:

      I was thinking this recipe offered a slow cooler and an instant pot version! o_0

      1. Rachel Gurk says:

        You could cook it in the slow cooker but I’d highly recommend choosing the Instant Pot over the Slow Cooker. However, this chicken would cook in 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 on low in the slow cooker if you choose to do it that way.

    2. Rachel Gurk says:

      So happy to hear you liked the recipe! I’ll have to try it with thighs. :)

  4. Don E says:

    I loved this.  Similar to a recipe I used to make called Moroccan Palace Chicken made in a Tagine. Switched up the spices to saffron and paprika and added sliced stuffed green olives.  Delish!  

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Your adaptations sound fantastic! So glad you liked it. Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, it means so much to me!

  5. Anne says:

    This was excellent. I marinated it for about 5 hours and sauteed it in a skillet on the stove. The whole family gave it a thumbs up!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Yum! So glad you enjoyed it!

  6. Rachel says:

    I had to try this recipe because, well, I’m also a Rachel! I also was wanting chicken piccata, but lighter. I recently got an Instant Pot and I’ve been trying recipes like crazy! This is one that I will definitely be making regularly. Super easy and really delicious. Served with an oz of pasta and green beans.

    I did change a few things for personal preference, but either way it’s excellent. I used chicken thighs instead of breasts, added 4 oz of white wine into the broth before pressure cooking, and I made a bit of a corn-statch slurry to thicken up the sauce after it was done cooking.

    Awesome, awesome recipe! I’m gonna stick around and see what else you have on your site!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I’m so glad you liked it! When I’m not following Whole30, I often make the same changes you did (the wine and cornstarch slurry)! I bet it was great with thighs! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave such a helpful and kind comment!

  7. Coleen says:

    I made this tonight and it was amazing! Just served over brown rice and steamed broccoli on the side. I will use this simple recipe again and again!!! I also shared with my sisters and nieces. Highly recommended!

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I’m so happy you liked it, Coleen! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! This is one of our favorites, too. :)

  8. Suzen Drogin says:

    Delicious! Will definitely become a family staple. I also threw some artichoke heart pieces in..

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      Oooh love that addition! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, it means a lot to me!

  9. Holly says:

    What if I was pressed for time and only have frozen chicken breasts.  Have you ever just thrown it all in and cooked it? Do you think it would work? 

    1. Rachel Gurk says:

      I haven’t made it with frozen chicken breasts, but it should work just fine! I’d increase the cooking time by a couple minutes and let the pressure release naturally for five minutes before doing a quick release. Let me know how it turns out!

  10. Melissa Griffiths says:

    Those capers are beautiful! I love how quick this comes together!