Chicken Piccata is a delicious Italian entrée that features lightly fried chicken cutlets in a lemon, garlic, and butter sauce.
Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian dish that features golden brown chicken breasts sitting in a delicious garlic lemon sauce made from lemon juice, butter, capers, chicken broth, and typically also white wine. The whole thing gets topped with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
I think the list of ingredients should tell you why it’s one of my favorite chicken cutlet dishes, but I’ll make sure you understand.
There’s something about the tang of the lemon, briny capers, creamy butter, browned drippings from the pan, and fresh parsley that make it completely addicting. And when your chicken cutlets are perfectly thin, crispy, and browned – it’s just out of this world.
This is my favorite way to make chicken piccata, and it will always turn out well. It’s a great weekday recipe that makes leftovers every time. It doesn’t include white wine like a traditional recipe though and instead utilizes chicken broth.
This makes it a little lighter and healthier for a weekday dinner. But, if you love the flavor white wine adds, you can certainly add a ¼ of a cup to make it more of a white wine sauce.
Either way, my suggestion to everyone who makes it is – make extra sauce! You’ll see below just why I think that.
Chicken piccata is a delicious Italian chicken dish that features golden brown chicken cutlets in a tangy, lemony sauce. It’s made by pan-frying thin chicken breasts, then making a quick pan sauce with lemon juice, butter capers and broth. While the piccata sauce is certainly the star of the show you’ll want to round out your meal with some tasty side dishes. But what should you serve with chicken piccata?
I’ve scoured the web and assembled this handy guide to the 25+ best side dishes to serve with chicken piccata. From bright salads and creamy risottos to buttery pastas and roasted veggies, you’ll find the perfect complements to your piccata chicken. Many can be prepped ahead of time, and most use pantry staples you likely have on hand.
So read on for side dish inspiration and get ready to enjoy a spectacular chicken piccata dinner!
Salads
The rich, lemony flavors of chicken piccata go great with fresh, crisp salads. The acidity and brightness of the vinaigrettes provide balance. Salads also add color, crunch and nutrients to your plate. Some excellent salad side options include:
Simple Arugula Salad
Arugula with red wine vinaigrette has a nice bite that goes well with the richness of the piccata. The lemon and garlic also complement the sauce.
Italian Chopped Salad
A mix of lettuce, radicchio, chickpeas, salami and cheeses gets tossed in a homemade Italian vinaigrette. With lots of textures and flavors, it’s a perfect match for chicken piccata.
Shaved Fennel Salad
Thinly sliced fennel and celery are dressed in a light lemon-parmesan vinaigrette, adding wonderful crunch and freshness. It balances the chicken beautifully.
Kale Caesar Salad
You can get your greens from massaged kale, and your cravings can be satisfied with homemade croutons and creamy Caesar dressing. It’s healthy but filling.
Grains and Pastas
Carbs like rice, grains and pasta make excellent vehicles for soaking up every last bit of that delicious lemony pan sauce. Some top options include:
Lemon Risotto
A classic risotto with lemon flavor goes perfectly with the piccata sauce. The creamy, cheesy rice provides rich contrast to the chicken.
Pesto Couscous
Nutty, fluffy couscous tossed with bright pesto is a quick and easy side that picks up the Italian flavors of the chicken.
Garlic and Oil Pasta
Al dente spaghetti coated in infused olive oil and tons of garlic is an ideal match for chicken piccata’s garlicky lemon pan sauce.
Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
For a lower-carb option, try roasted cauliflower florets tossed in a cheese, pepper and olive oil sauce. All the flavor without the pasta!
Veggies
Don’t forget your vegetables! Roast or sauté an array of produce to add nutrition and balance. Excellent options include:
Sauteed Spinach
Quick-cooked spinach, olive oil and garlic make a fast, iron-rich side. The leaves sop up sauce deliciously.
Braised Fennel
Slow braised fennel caramelizes and mellows for a sweet, sophisticated side. It beautifully matches the lemon and richness.
Roasted Broccolini
Charred, tender broccolini roasted with lemon, olive oil and parmesan adds a hit of green. The oven does the work for you.
Sauteed Zucchini
Quickly cooked zucchini rounds pick up tasty garlic, shallot and herb flavors. A simple veggie pairing for chicken piccata.
Starches
Don’t overlook starchy sides like creamy mashed potatoes or crispy roasted potatoes to serve with your chicken. The starch soaks up the lemony sauce divinely.
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes are hard to resist, especially when swirled with tangy sour cream. Perfection with piccata.
Smashed Potatoes
Crisp, golden smashed potatoes have fluffy interiors ideal for sopping up sauce. Serve them with chicken for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Roasted Fingerlings
Baby potatoes crisp up nicely in the oven and provide texture contrast to the tender chicken. Easy to double and make ahead.
Potato Gratin
Thin sliced potatoes blanketed in cheesy béchamel and baked to bubbly, browned perfection. Rich and indulgent alongside piccata.
Easy Extras
Round out your chicken piccata dinner with these effortless extras:
- Garlic bread – For sopping up sauce
- Dinner rolls – Warm, crusty carbs to pass around
- Green salad – Simple greens in vinaigrette
- Rice – Fluffy white or brown rice
Make-Ahead Tips
To get a jump start on dinner, many of these sides can be prepped ahead:
- Chop ingredients for salads, then toss with dressing right before serving.
- Cook pasta, risotto, grains and potatoes up to 2 days ahead. Reheat gently with sauce.
- Roast vegetables a day in advance. Reheat in oven or microwave.
- Prep potato gratins, garlic bread and other baked goods up to a day ahead, then bake right before serving.
With this handy guide in your back pocket, you’ll never stress over what to serve with chicken piccata again! Round out your meal beautifully with a bright salad, starchy potato dish, Italian-inspired vegetable or perfect pasta. Your chicken dinner will be perfectly balanced, hassle-free and absolutely delicious.
A quick overview of how you make chicken piccata:
STEP 1 – Batter your chicken cutlets in egg wash and flour
STEP 2 – Cook the chicken cutlets in a large skillet with butter over medium heat until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
STEP 3 – You’ll make your sauce in the same pan used for the chicken. Saute the garlic in butter, then deglaze the pan by adding the chicken broth, lemon juice, and water. Thicken the sauce with a tbsp of flour and stir well until it’s all combined. Season with capers, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
STEP 4 – Add the chicken cutlets back to the pan and toss in the sauce. On your plate, add more minced fresh parsley and any extra lemon slices.
Variations with Lemon Piccata Sauce:
Since it’s such a wonderful sauce, you really can be adventurous and use the same recipe in different ways. Such as: veal piccata, salmon piccata, or even ravioli piccata!.
So, there you have your recipe for your chicken piccata dish. Since it’s usually the main dish, what do you serve with it? Here are 18 great ideas to help you decide!
And ps: I’ve included plenty that are used to soak up that delicious sauce!
What to Serve With Chicken Piccata ( delicious side dishes)
FAQ
What’s a good side for chicken piccata?
A classic and delicious side for chicken piccata is mashed potatoes, which complement the lemony, buttery sauce beautifully.
What does giada serve with chicken piccata?
Chicken piccata can be served with an array of side dishes. Popular choices include buttery mashed potatoes, angel hair pasta or crisp salad with Italian vinaigrette.
What kind of pasta is served with chicken piccata?
Angel hair pasta should be cooked in boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring every now and then, until it is soft but still holds its shape. Drain well. Transfer chicken pieces to a serving dish and drizzle with a few tablespoons sauce. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with remaining sauce.
What starch goes best with chicken piccata?
Neutral flavors like plain rice, steamed vegetables, or simple pasta dishes are ideal choices. Aromatics: Herbs and seasonings can tie the meal together. Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or dill used in the sides can echo the flavors in the chicken piccata, creating a cohesive dining experience.