If you're craving something bright, comforting, and just a little bit fancy, this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe is a total winner. It's got that perfect balance of tangy lemon, luscious creaminess, and tender chicken that will have you coming back for seconds.

Creamy Lemon Chicken - A white plate holds a serving of creamy fettuccine pasta with a smooth, pale yellow sauce coating the noodles. On top of the pasta lies a golden-brown cooked chicken cutlet covered in the same creamy sauce. The sauce is dotted with small green capers and specks of black pepper, adding texture. Two slices of lemon, one whole round and one wedge, rest on the chicken, providing a bright yellow contrast. Fresh green parsley is sprinkled on top, enhancing the presentation. A fork is placed on the right side of the plate, partially resting on the pasta. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe on busy weeknights and for weekend dinners with friends, and every time it’s a hit. There’s something so satisfying about that creamy sauce with bright lemon and capers that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple.

Simple Ingredients: Most you probably already have in your pantry and fridge, making this an easy dinner option anytime.
Speedy Prep: With only about 30 minutes from start to finish, you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all night.
Flavor Explosion: The tang of lemon and briny pop from capers combined with rich creaminess keeps every bite exciting.
Versatility: It pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or veggies, so you can serve it a few different ways without extra effort.

Creamy Lemon Chicken - The image shows a close-up of golden brown cooked pieces of meat with a crispy texture on the top, partially covered in a creamy white sauce with visible green herbs and small dark green capers scattered around. Lemon slices with bright yellow skin and pale yellow flesh are placed around the dish, adding a fresh touch. The sauce has a smooth texture and is thick enough to coat the meat and pool slightly around it. There are small bits of green herbs sprinkled on the surface, enhancing the visual contrast. The scene is set on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe come together like a dream — each one plays a key role in creating that perfect balance of tangy, creamy, salty, and savory. Here’s why I choose each:

Creamy Lemon Chicken - Flat lay of four raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a smooth, pale pink surface, fresh vibrant yellow lemon slices arranged around them, small piles of bright green chopped parsley leaves, plump green capers scattered artistically, several peeled garlic cloves with their papery white skins, a small mound of fine white flour, and a few dollops of creamy pale yellow butter, all placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken breasts: Using boneless, skinless gives you tender, quick-cooking protein that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Flour: For dredging, it helps get a nice golden crust on the chicken before simmering in the sauce.
Butter: Adds richness and helps build that flavorful base for the sauce.
Olive oil: Keeps the butter from burning and helps crisp the chicken.
Garlic: Fresh minced cloves bring that aromatic punch you want in any good sauce.
Chicken broth: The foundation of the sauce — it adds depth and balance.
Heavy cream: Brings luscious creaminess and smooth texture to the sauce.
Capers: Give bursts of briny, tangy flavor that contrast so well with the creamy sauce.
Lemon juice: The star for that bright citrus zing that awakens every bite.
Parsley: Freshness, color, and a hint of herbal crispness to finish things off.
Cornstarch slurry (optional): Helps thicken the sauce faster if you’re short on time or want a silkier finish.
Lemon slices: Pretty garnish and extra lemon flavor when served.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how adaptable this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe is, so don’t hesitate to tweak it to fit your mood or what you’ve got on hand. Making it your own turns dinner into a creative and fun experience.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or sour cream for a lighter sauce — it still stays deliciously tangy and creamy without being too heavy.
Gluten-free twist: Use a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for dredging to keep it safe for gluten sensitivities.
Extra zing: Adding a splash of white wine to deglaze the pan before the broth deepens the flavor wonderfully — just let the alcohol cook off first!
Kick it up: I’ve added red pepper flakes a few times to give it a subtle heat that balances nicely with the lemony brightness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Step 1: Pound and Season Your Chicken

First things first — I take each chicken breast and gently pound it to an even 1-inch thickness. This helps it cook evenly and stay tender. Then, I season both sides generously with salt and pepper. It’s a small step that pays off big in flavor.

Step 2: Coat and Brown the Chicken

I dredge the chicken in flour and shake off any excess. Heating a combo of butter and olive oil over medium-high heat, I pan-fry the chicken until it’s golden brown on each side — about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Browning here not only seals in juices but adds that crave-worthy crispiness. Once golden, I transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

I melt the remaining butter in the same pan, then toss in minced garlic to sauté just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then, lowering the heat to medium-low, I pour in chicken broth and scrape up all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan. Stirring in heavy cream, I bring it to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Add the Flavor Stars

Next up — capers, fresh lemon juice, and parsley go into the sauce. I always taste at this stage and adjust salt and pepper to get it just right. If the sauce feels a bit thin, I mix cornstarch with water and whisk it in to thicken it quickly.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Finally, I nestle the chicken back into the pan and spoon the creamy lemon sauce over top. Just a couple of minutes of simmering so the chicken heats through, and then I garnish with extra parsley and lemon slices before serving. The sauce clings to the chicken beautifully, making every bite a delight.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that make my Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe truly shine — here are my favorite tips so you can nail it on your first try!

Pound it Evenly: Don’t skip pounding the chicken to an even thickness — it ensures juicy, perfectly cooked pieces without dry edges.
Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the chicken in batches if needed; crowding cools the pan and prevents that lovely golden sear.
Scrape the Fond: When deglazing with broth, be sure to scrape up the browned bits stuck to the pan — that’s where loads of flavor live.
Adjust the Sauce Consistency: Use the cornstarch slurry only if you want a thicker sauce — otherwise, simmer gently until it reduces to your preferred texture.

How to Serve Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Creamy Lemon Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to top this dish with extra fresh parsley and thin lemon slices. The greenery adds a fresh burst of color and the lemon slices provide a pretty touch and a pop of citrus you can squeeze over right before eating.

Side Dishes

This creamy lemon chicken piccata shines served over simple buttered pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus make wonderful green sides that balance the richness too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated this by fanning the chicken breasts over a bed of angel hair pasta tossed with olive oil and herbs. Drizzling the piccata sauce artfully around makes it look restaurant-worthy and invites guests to dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to pour the sauce over the chicken before chilling to keep everything moist and flavorful.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cooked chicken with sauce in freezer-safe containers with great results. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. The sauce may thicken up, but a splash of broth or cream while reheating smooths it back out beautifully.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer gently warming leftovers on the stovetop over low heat to keep the chicken tender and the sauce creamy. Avoid microwaving unless you’re in a rush, and if so, stir occasionally to prevent curdling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and add extra juiciness. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through than breasts.

What can I substitute if I don’t have capers?

If you don’t have capers, try chopped green olives or a small amount of chopped pickles to mimic that briny flavor. The sauce will still be delicious, just with a slightly different twist.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Replace butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine, and swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk or a creamy non-dairy alternative. The flavor will be a little different but still tasty and creamy.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling?

To avoid curdling, make sure to add the cream off the heat or over low heat and reheat gently without boiling vigorously. Stir continuously and avoid high heat to maintain that silky, smooth texture.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something that feels both comforting and a little special. It’s not fussy but delivers big on flavor every time. I hope you give it a try and find it to be a delicious new favorite in your weeknight repertoire — trust me, your taste buds will thank you!