Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

A lightened up version of a classic, this air fryer chicken piccata may be lighter in calories, but it’s packed with flavor! Lightly breaded chicken is air fried to golden perfection and served with a butter lemon caper sauce.

What is chicken piccata?

Chicken piccata is classic dish of sliced chicken that is dredged in flour and served with a sauce made of lemon juice, butter, and capers. Piccata is typically made on the stove, but today, we’re making the chicken in the air fryer and the sauce on the stovetop.

Ingredients

There are two parts to today’s recipe. The lightly breaded chicken and the lemon caper sauce.

For the chicken

We’re making a simple breaded chicken breast that gets air fried to golden perfection!

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts. Lean, yet tender and perfect for air frying.
• Salt and pepper. A simple seasoning is perfect for this chicken, because it gets doused in a tangy lemon sauce.
• Seasoned breadcrumbs. Add a great crunch to outside of the chicken.
• Parmesan, asiago, and romano cheese gets mixed with the breadcrumbs and adds loads of flavor.
• Egg helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
• Lemon juice adds flavor and brightness to the chicken.

For the sauce

This bright, yet creamy sauce is perfect for lightly fried chicken.

• Butter adds a nice creaminess to the sauce.
• Garlic adds flavor.
• Flour helps the sauce to thicken.
• Chicken broth and white wine. I like using chicken broth for a deep flavor and white wine for a little tang.
• Lemon zest and lemon juice. Both add an intense lemon flavor.
• Pepper. A little goes a long way to break up the bright lemon flavor.
• Capers. Again, a little goes a long way. They’re really brine-y.

How to make air fryer chicken piccata

1. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise, then pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.
2. On a shallow plate, beat the egg and lemon juice together. In another dish, combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
3. Dip the chicken into the egg, then the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Cook in air fryer for 8 minutes, turning halfway until golden and cooked through.

How to make lemon caper butter sauce

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the chicken broth, wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the capers.

How to store

Air fryer chicken piccata is best served immediately, although it will keep for up to 4 days if stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge. Store the sauce in a separate container in the fridge. To re-heat: pre-heat air fryer or oven to 400 degrees F and cook for 5-10 minutes or until chicken has heated through. Place the sauce in the microwave until warm.

What to serve with chicken piccata

Chicken piccata is best served with a mild flavored carb like rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or even mashed cauliflower if you’re looking to go a lighter route. It also pairs beautifully with a side salad and a multigrain roll. Here are some of my favorite side dish ideas:

• Instant pot mashed potatoes
• Cauliflower rice
• Pear, blue cheese, and candied pecan salad

– Jennifer

Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

4.92 from 24 votes

A lightened up version of a classic, this air fryer chicken piccata may be lighter in calories, but is packed with flavor! Lightly breaded chicken is air fried to golden perfection and served with a butter lemon caper sauce.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Yield: 4 people

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Ingredients

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Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

• ▢ 2 (8 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• ▢ 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan/Asiago/Romano cheese blend

Lemon Sauce

• ▢ 4 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons flour
• ▢ ½ cup chicken broth
• ▢ ½ cup white wine
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ▢ ½ lemon zested
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper plus more to taste
• ▢ 2 tablespoons capers drained
• ▢ salt to taste

Recipe Video

Instructions

Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
• Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise, then place halves onto a plastic cutting board.
• Place plastic wrap on top and pound out to 1/4-inch thick.
• Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
• In a shallow bowl/plate, beat the egg and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice together.
• Combine breadcrumbs and cheese in a second shallow bowl/plate.
• Dip the chicken into the egg, then the breadcrumb mixture.
• Spray the basket with cooking spray. Place in two of the chicken breast halves. Spray tops with cooking spray.
• Cook 8 minutes, turning halfway until golden and cooked through.
• Repeat with remaining chicken.
• While chicken is cooking, make the lemon sauce.

Lemon Sauce

• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add in garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
• Whisk in flour and cook for an additional 60 seconds.
• Add the chicken broth, wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, and pepper.
• Bring to a boil over high heat whisking continuously. It should thicken very quickly.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the capers.
• Serve with cooked chicken and enjoy!
• Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

Amount Per Serving (1 chicken breast half + sauce)

Calories 370 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Cholesterol 152mg51%

Sodium 1290mg56%

Potassium 563mg16%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 502IU10%

Vitamin C 19mg23%

Calcium 83mg8%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: air fried, chicken breast, healthy

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Author: Jennifer Debth