Chicken Piccata with Artichokes

On Wednesdays, we’ve started focusing on meals that require only one piece of cookware—usually a fry pan, sauté pan, Dutch oven or baking sheet—so you don’t have to deal with washing a sink full of dishes before dinner is even ready. In this recipe chicken piccata, a traditional Italian dish that typically consists of thin chicken cutlets that are pan-fried and topped with a pan sauce made with lemon juice and capers, is updated with the addition of meaty artichoke hearts. For extra vegetables, add a few handfuls of fresh spinach along with the capers. Serve this dish over a plate of orzo or other small pasta shape for soaking up the delicious sauce.

Chicken Piccata with Artichokes

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 1 1/2 lb. (750 g) total

1/2 cup (2 1/2 oz./75 g) all-purpose flour

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

3 Tbs. olive oil

2 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 jar (6 oz./185 g) artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and quartered

1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml) dry white wine

1/2 cup (4 fl. oz./125 ml) low-sodium chicken broth

Juice of 1 lemon

2 Tbs. capers, rinsed and drained

1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Butterfly the chicken breasts and cut them in half. Working with one chicken breast half at a time, place the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and, using a meat pounder or other heavy, flat object, gently pound to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch (6 mm).

Pour the flour onto a large plate and season it well with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. In a large fry pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 Tbs. of the olive oil until very hot but not smoking. Working in batches as needed to avoid crowding, add the chicken and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and opaque throughout, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Return the pan to medium-high heat; do not wipe the pan clean. Melt 1 Tbs. of the butter with the
remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil. Add the garlic and artichoke hearts and sauté just until the garlic is soft, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in the broth, lemon juice and capers. Reduce the heat to medium, bring to a gentle simmer and whisk in the remaining 1 Tbs. butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes more. Stir in the parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Return the chicken to the pan and turn to coat each piece with the sauce. Cook just until the chicken is warmed through, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

For more fresh ideas about how to prepare chicken, whether for a
quick family meal or an impressive weekend spread, check out our
Chicken Night: Dinner Solutions for Every Day of the Week.

Wine Pairing   This dish pairs well with soft, minerally, medium-full-bodied whites like the 2013 Dürnberg Endlos Grüner Veltliner, Niederösterreich Reserve from our Wine Club.