Tender chicken, briny capers, and bright lemon make this chicken piccata pasta taste like a restaurant-worthy dish, but the one-pan method makes it ideal for weeknight dinners!
8ouncesuncooked pasta(penne or farfalle work well)
2tablespoonscapers(drained)
1teaspoonItalian seasoning
2tablespoonslemon juice(about ½ lemon, zest first!)
1teaspoonlemon zest(zest of 1 lemon)
½cupgrated Parmesan cheese
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
For serving (optional):
2tablespoonsminced fresh parsley
4lemon wedges
Instructions
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, as evenly as possible. I like to cut each boneless skinless chicken breast into long strips, about ½ inch wide, and then make horizontal cuts, about ½ inch apart.
1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan (with lid) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove chicken to a clean plate and set aside. Discard any accumulated juices in the pan.
½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
In the same pan, over medium heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and diced onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
½ cup finely diced yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
Add the chicken broth, uncooked pasta, capers, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 13 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, Parmesan, and butter until melted and creamy. Return the chicken to the pan and stir to combine. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to warm through.
2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Remove from heat, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to continue to thicken slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges and additional Parmesan, if desired.
Chicken: If you prefer, use boneless skinless chicken thighs, or a combination.
Veg it up: Add baby spinach, canned artichokes, or roasted red peppers to your chicken piccata pasta at the end of the cooking time. The spinach will wilt very quickly.
Storage: If you have chicken piccata left over, refrigerate it promptly in a covered container. It will keep for 3 to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or larger amounts in a skillet over medium heat. If desired, add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce before reheating.