Express Chicken Piccata Bowl

Featured in: Everyday Cozy Plates

This vibrant dish features tender chicken breast pieces cooked in a bright lemon and caper piccata sauce, creating a flavorful coating. The sauce is crafted with fresh lemon juice, capers, garlic, and a touch of butter, delivering a zesty and luscious finish. Served over fluffy steamed rice and garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices, this bowl offers a balanced and satisfying meal packed with herbs and bold flavors. Ideal for a quick yet elegant dinner, it can be adapted for dairy-free diets and varied with alternative grains or extra vegetables for added nutrition.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:14:00 GMT
Golden chicken piccata atop fluffy rice, glistening with lemony sauce and fresh parsley garnish. Save to Pinterest
Golden chicken piccata atop fluffy rice, glistening with lemony sauce and fresh parsley garnish. | velvetthyme.com

A vibrant and zesty rice bowl featuring juicy chicken breast in a lemony piccata sauce, served over steamed rice with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Perfect for a quick yet elegant meal.

This is a fresh twist on classic chicken piccata that I enjoy making on busy weeknights when I want something flavorful yet simple.

Ingredients

  • Protein: 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 500 g), cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Rice: 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 300 g)
  • Coating & Seasoning: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking: 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Sauce: 2 cloves garlic, finely minced, 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons), 2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed, 2 tbsp unsalted butter (use dairy-free margarine for dairy-free option)
  • Garnish: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, Lemon slices, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
Step 2:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
Step 3:
In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4:
Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Bring to a simmer.
Step 5:
Stir in capers and return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 2 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 6:
Stir in butter until melted and sauce is glossy. Remove from heat.
Step 7:
To serve, divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top with chicken and spoon over the piccata sauce. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
A close-up of Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl showcasing tender chicken in a zesty, flavorful sauce. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl showcasing tender chicken in a zesty, flavorful sauce. | velvetthyme.com

This dish has become a family favorite especially when we need a comforting yet quick dinner together.

Required Tools

Large skillet, shallow bowl, knife and cutting board, rice cooker or saucepan

Allergen Information

Contains Gluten (flour) and Dairy (butter, substitute as needed). May contain sulfites (capers, wine if used). Always verify ingredient labels for specific allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 420, Total Fat 13 g, Carbohydrates 45 g, Protein 30 g

Vibrant Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl, a delightful Italian-American meal ready in just 30 minutes. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl, a delightful Italian-American meal ready in just 30 minutes. | velvetthyme.com

Serve immediately for best texture and freshness.

Recipe FAQs

What cut of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces ensure quick cooking and a tender texture.

Can I substitute the white rice?

Yes, brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice can be used to fit different dietary preferences or add variety.

How do I make a dairy-free version?

Replace the butter with plant-based margarine or oil to keep the sauce rich while avoiding dairy.

What adds extra flavor to the sauce?

A splash of dry white wine enhances depth and complements the lemon and capers beautifully.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Yes, steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach are excellent additions that increase nutrition and color.

Express Chicken Piccata Bowl

Juicy chicken in lemony piccata sauce served atop steamed rice with fresh herbs for a bright, quick dish.

Prep time
10 min
Time for cooking
20 min
Total process time
30 min
Created by Velvet Thyme Eleanor Hayes

Recipe category Everyday Cozy Plates

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type Italian-American

Yield amount 4 Number of servings

Dietary details None specified

List of ingredients

Protein

01 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

Rice

01 2 cups cooked white or brown rice

Coating & Seasoning

01 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon salt
03 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking

01 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

01 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
02 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
03 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
04 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
05 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or dairy-free margarine

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
02 Lemon slices, for serving (optional)

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare the coating: Combine flour, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken pieces in the mixture, shaking off excess.

Step 02

Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.

Step 03

Sauté garlic: Using the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 04

Simmer sauce base: Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 05

Add capers and chicken: Stir in capers and return cooked chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.

Step 06

Finish the sauce: Stir in butter or dairy-free margarine until melted and sauce becomes glossy. Remove from heat.

Step 07

Assemble and serve: Divide cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with chicken and spoon piccata sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley and optional lemon slices.

Essential tools

  • Large skillet
  • Shallow bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Rice cooker or saucepan

Allergy warnings

Be sure to carefully review every ingredient for allergens and seek expert advice as needed.
  • Contains gluten (from flour) and dairy (from butter; substitute as needed). May contain sulfites (capers, optional wine). Verify ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutrition details per serving

Details here are meant for guidance. Please contact health professionals for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 420
  • Fat content: 13 g
  • Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein amount: 30 g