If you’re craving a dish that’s both tangy and luxuriously silky, this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe is just what you need. With tender chicken breasts bathed in a zesty, buttery sauce, this recipe has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen — and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do!

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

This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe stands out because it’s easier than you’d expect but tastes like a restaurant classic. It’s a perfect weeknight meal or a fancy weekend dinner to impress friends or family without spending hours in the kitchen.

Bright and Bold Flavor: The lemon and capers give a fresh, tangy punch that really wakes up the palate.
Rich & Velvety Sauce: Adding heavy cream transforms the traditional piccata into a luscious, silky sauce that clings to every bite.
Simple Techniques: With just a few steps, you can create something that looks and tastes gourmet, even if you’re short on time.
Versatile Meal: It pairs beautifully with so many sides like pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes — giving you lots of options.

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

Each ingredient plays a key role in balancing creaminess with the bright acidity of lemon and the salty tang of capers. I always recommend using fresh lemons and good-quality chicken broth because they really elevate the final dish.

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: Pounding them evenly ensures quick, even cooking and juicy tenderness.
Flour: Helps create a golden crust and thickens the sauce slightly.
Butter: Adds richness and helps develop flavor in the sauce.
Olive oil: Prevents butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity note.
Garlic: Infuses the sauce with wonderful aroma and depth.
Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the sauce, enhancing the chicken flavor.
Heavy cream: Gives the sauce its signature silky, creamy texture.
Capers: Their briny tang adds a delightful contrast to the creaminess.
Lemon juice: Provides fresh, zesty brightness.
Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal notes.
Cornstarch slurry (optional): Use it to thicken the sauce quickly if you’re short on time.
Lemon slices (for garnish): Bring a fresh look and extra citrus aroma to the plate.

📝

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 tweaking my Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe depending on what mood I’m in or what I have on hand. Feel free to make it your own — the core flavors are wonderfully flexible!

Variation: Sometimes I add a splash of dry white wine when deglazing the pan for an extra layer of flavor — it really brightens up the sauce.
Dietary tweak: To lighten the dish, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt stirred in at the end (just don’t boil after adding yogurt to avoid curdling).
Spicy kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic gives a nice warmth without overpowering the lemon.
Cheesy touch: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan into the sauce before serving for a richer take.

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

Step 1: Prep and Season Like a Pro

I start by pounding the chicken breasts to about 1” thickness. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Pat them dry with paper towels, then generously season both sides with salt and pepper — don’t be shy here, seasoning is key!

Step 2: Coat and Brown the Chicken

Dredge each piece of chicken in flour and shake off any excess to avoid a gummy crust. Then, heat 1 tablespoon butter with olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet until shimmering. Carefully add chicken and cook about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the pan or it will steam instead of searing. Once browned, remove chicken and set aside — this step locks in flavor and texture.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Reduce heat to medium, melt the remaining butter, then saute the minced garlic just until fragrant, about 30 seconds — avoid burning it or the sauce will taste bitter. Next, pour in chicken broth and give the pan a good scrape to lift those delicious browned bits off the bottom (this is flavor magic!). Add in the heavy cream, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Add Capers, Lemon, and Parsley

Stir in the capers, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Taste the sauce, and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a thicker sauce, slowly whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and let it bubble until thickened. This extra step can save you time when in a hurry.

Step 5: Finish by Reheating Chicken in the Sauce

Return the chicken to the pan, spoon generous amounts of the creamy sauce over each piece, and simmer for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. This melds all the flavors beautifully and keeps the chicken tender.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with extra parsley and lemon slices for a boost of freshness and an inviting look. Serve right away over pasta, rice, or your favorite mashed potatoes and roasted veggies for a satisfying meal.

Top Tip

From my many attempts at this Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe, I’ve learned that the secret to a great sauce is patience and tasting as you go. Don’t rush the reduction and trust your palate — it’s the best guide!

Even Pounding: Flattening the chicken breasts to the same thickness makes cooking time predictable and prevents dry edges.
Golden Crust: Don’t skip the flour dredge — it creates a delicious crust and helps thicken the sauce later.
Deglaze Effect: Scraping those brown fond bits when adding broth adds incredible depth to the sauce.
Taste Test: Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice slowly — too much lemon can easily overpower the sauce.

How to Serve Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe

Creamy Lemon Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always garnish my creamy lemon chicken piccata with extra chopped parsley and thin lemon slices. It adds a fresh burst of color and aroma, making the dish feel bright and inviting. A light drizzle of good olive oil at the end also adds a lovely sheen and subtle richness.

Side Dishes

This dish is a dream team player — I often serve it with buttered angel hair pasta for soaking up that luscious sauce, or creamy mashed potatoes for comfort food vibes. Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus add the perfect fresh crunch to round it out.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I arrange the chicken breasts over a bed of sautéed spinach or creamy risotto, then drizzle sauce artistically and top with edible flowers or microgreens. It never fails to impress guests and makes the meal feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken stays tender, and the sauce thickens nicely overnight — just give it a gentle reheat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen it.

Freezing

You can freeze this dish, but the texture of the cream sauce changes slightly after thawing. To maintain creaminess, I recommend freezing the chicken separately and making a fresh sauce when you’re ready to serve.

Reheating

To reheat, warm it gently over low heat in a skillet or microwave with a little added broth or cream, stirring frequently. This helps keep the sauce smooth and prevents the chicken from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great option and can add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time since thighs usually take a bit longer to cook through.

How do I prevent the heavy cream from curdling in the sauce?

To avoid curdling, make sure to add the cream after you reduce the heat to a gentle simmer or lower. Avoid boiling the sauce after adding the cream. Also, adding the cream gradually while stirring helps maintain a smooth texture.

Can I make the sauce dairy-free or lighter?

Yes! Swap the heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free version, or use half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cornstarch for a lighter sauce. Just note the flavor and texture will differ somewhat from the original.

What should I serve with Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe?

This dish pairs wonderfully with angel hair pasta, rice pilaf, or creamy mashed potatoes. Adding green veggies like steamed broccoli, asparagus, or salad balances the richness and rounds out the meal.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a hug on a plate — bright, comforting, and satisfying. I genuinely love how it’s simple yet feels indulgent, and I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do. Trust me, once you’ve tried this, it’ll be one to keep in your dinner rotation for special and everyday meals alike.