Express Chicken Piccata Bowl

Featured in: Quick Dude Dinners

This vibrant dish features tender chicken pieces coated and cooked to golden perfection, then simmered in a bright lemon and caper sauce. Served over fluffy steamed rice and garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices, it delivers a perfect balance of zesty and savory flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a quick yet refined dinner. The sauce’s buttery richness and fresh herbs add depth, making each bite delightful and satisfying without complexity.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:30:00 GMT
Golden-brown chicken piccata nestled in a bowl atop fluffy rice, ready to eat and enjoy. Pin It
Golden-brown chicken piccata nestled in a bowl atop fluffy rice, ready to eat and enjoy. | dudesnack.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 recipe quickly became a family favorite because of its bright flavors and simplicity to prepare on busy weeknights.

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 vibrant Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl, with glistening lemon sauce and fresh parsley. Pin It
A close-up of vibrant Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl, with glistening lemon sauce and fresh parsley. | dudesnack.com

This dish brings smiles every time we enjoy a cozy dinner together sharing stories from the day.

Notes

For extra flavor add a splash of dry white wine with the broth Substitute quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low carb version Add steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach for more vegetables To make it dairy free use plant based butter

Required Tools

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

Allergen Information

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

Serving a hearty Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl filled with savory chicken and a tangy, delicious sauce. Pin It
Serving a hearty Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl filled with savory chicken and a tangy, delicious sauce. | dudesnack.com

This chicken piccata rice bowl is a bright and flavorful dish perfect for any night of the week.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What type of rice works best for this dish?

White or brown rice both complement the lemony chicken nicely; alternatives like quinoa or cauliflower rice can also be used for a lighter option.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Yes, simply substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine to keep the sauce creamy and flavorful.

How do capers enhance the flavor profile?

Capers add a briny, tangy note that brightens the lemon sauce and balances the rich butter, creating a vibrant contrast.

What cooking method is used for the chicken?

The chicken is lightly dredged in seasoned flour and pan-seared in olive oil until golden, then simmered briefly in the sauce for tenderness and flavor infusion.

Can vegetables be added to this dish?

Absolutely. Steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach are excellent additions that add color and nutrition without overpowering flavors.

Express Chicken Piccata Bowl

Lemony chicken piccata with capers served on steamed rice, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Time to Cook
20 minutes
Overall Time
30 minutes
Created by Jake Anderson

Recipe Category Quick Dude Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Italian-American

Output 4 Portion Size

Diet Preferences None specified

What You'll Need

Protein

01 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into 1-inch pieces

Rice

01 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 10.6 oz)

Coating & Seasoning

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

Cooking

01 2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

01 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
02 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
03 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
04 2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
05 2 tbsp unsalted butter (use dairy-free margarine for dairy-free option)

Garnish

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

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge chicken pieces in the mixture, shaking off excess flour.

Step 02

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

Step 03

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

Step 04

Simmer Sauce Base: Pour in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Finish Sauce: Stir in butter until melted and the sauce becomes glossy. Remove the skillet from heat.

Step 07

Serve: Divide cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top with chicken and spoon piccata sauce over. Garnish with chopped parsley and optional lemon slices.

Gear Needed

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

Allergy Details

Always review all ingredients for allergens before starting. Check with a health specialist if uncertain.
  • Contains gluten (flour) and dairy (butter; substitute as needed). May contain sulfites (capers, wine if used). Verify ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance and isn't a substitute for professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 420
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Proteins: 30 g