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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. Before you scroll, there’s important information in this blog post regarding tips, variations, and ingredient insights.

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Are you searching for a meal that’s not only perfect for quick weeknight dinners but also excellent for meal prepping? Look no further! This keto lemon chicken piccata recipe offers the ideal solution. I particularly appreciate serving chicken breasts generously drenched in a vibrant, flavorful sauce because it makes for an exceptional dish that reheats beautifully the next day, saving you time and effort.

What is Chicken Piccata?

Chicken piccata is a renowned Italian-American dish celebrated for its bright, tangy, and savory flavors. Traditionally, it features pan-fried or sautéed chicken cutlets served with a delectable sauce made from lemon juice, butter, and capers. The word “piccata” itself suggests a dish that is pounded flat and cooked quickly, often referring to a thin slice of meat. While the classic recipe typically uses all-purpose flour for breading, our keto version ingeniously substitutes this with almond flour and Parmesan cheese, maintaining all the flavor and texture without the carbs. For an added layer of depth and sophistication, I sometimes include a splash of dry white wine in the sauce, though this is entirely optional and can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.

This dish is a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s the perfect balance of richness from the butter, tartness from the lemon, and a briny burst from the capers, all complementing the tender chicken beautifully. It’s a culinary experience that’s both comforting and elegant, making it suitable for both casual family dinners and more special occasions.

The Keto Advantage: Why Flourless?

Embracing a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle means making smart choices about your ingredients, especially when it comes to flours. Traditional chicken piccata relies on all-purpose flour for its breading, which is high in carbohydrates and not suitable for a keto diet. This “flourless” version, however, swaps out conventional flour for almond flour, a fantastic low-carb alternative. Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds, making it naturally gluten-free and significantly lower in carbs than wheat flour.

The benefits of using almond flour extend beyond just carb reduction. It provides a delightful, subtle nutty flavor and contributes to a wonderfully crispy coating when pan-fried, mimicking the texture of traditional breading without the carb load. Paired with finely grated Parmesan cheese, it creates a robust and flavorful crust that adheres well to the chicken cutlets. This substitution not only makes the dish keto-friendly but also naturally gluten-free, catering to a broader range of dietary needs without compromising on taste or satisfaction. It allows you to enjoy a classic Italian dish while staying true to your health goals.

How Do You Make Keto Lemon Chicken Piccata?

Crafting this keto-friendly lemon chicken piccata is surprisingly straightforward and comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy evenings. Here’s a simplified overview of the process, with detailed steps available in the full recipe card:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by taking two boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slicing them horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. This ensures even cooking and a more tender result.
2. Breading the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine fine almond flour with finely grated Parmesan cheese, along with your preferred chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken cutlet thoroughly in this mixture, ensuring an even coat. For optimal adhesion, a light drizzle of olive oil on the chicken before breading can be beneficial, or you can use a whisked egg wash.
3. Pan-Frying the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a combination of olive oil and butter. Once shimmering, carefully place the breaded chicken cutlets into the pan and fry until both sides are beautifully golden brown and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (about 3-4 minutes per side).
4. Creating the Piccata Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add a bit more butter to the pan, along with minced garlic. Once fragrant and the butter begins to brown slightly, deglaze the pan with chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and capers, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. An optional splash of dry white wine can be added at this stage for extra depth.
5. Simmer and Serve: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Return the chicken cutlets to the pan, coating them in the luscious sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately with your favorite low-carb side dishes.

Essential Ingredients for Perfection

Each ingredient in this Keto Lemon Chicken Piccata plays a crucial role in building its vibrant and complex flavor profile. Understanding their contribution helps appreciate the simplicity and genius of this classic dish, adapted for a low-carb lifestyle.

Chicken Cutlets: The Star of the Show

For piccata, thin chicken cutlets are paramount. They cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully. You can buy pre-sliced cutlets, or easily make them at home by butterflying larger chicken breasts and then slicing them in half. Pounding them lightly between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap ensures uniform thickness, which is key for even cooking. This preparation guarantees tender, juicy chicken in every bite.

Almond Flour and Parmesan Breading

This is where our keto version truly shines. Instead of traditional wheat flour, we use finely ground almond flour. It’s low in carbs and gluten-free, providing a delicate crust. Mixing it with finely grated Parmesan cheese not only adds a savory, cheesy depth but also helps create that satisfying crispy texture when pan-fried. The combination forms a perfect low-carb breading that crisps up beautifully without absorbing too much oil.

What Are Capers?

Capers are the unopened, immature flower buds of the caper bush, a plant native to the Mediterranean region. Once picked, they are typically sun-dried and then preserved in brine or packed in salt, which gives them their distinctive pungent, salty, and slightly tangy flavor. They are often described as having a lemony, olive-like, or floral taste. These tiny flavor bombs are absolutely essential to chicken piccata, providing that signature briny zest that balances the richness of the butter and the brightness of the lemon. They truly are one of the unsung heroes of this dish, alongside the lemon and optional white wine.

You can delve deeper into What Capers Are to learn more about their culinary versatility. When shopping, you’ll typically find capers in the same aisle as salad dressings, olives, or pickles at your local grocery store. For convenience, you can also easily purchase them here on Amazon.

How Many Carbs are in Capers?

For those following a keto or low-carb diet, capers are an excellent choice! They are remarkably low in carbohydrates, containing less than a single gram of net carbs per typical serving (usually one tablespoon). This makes them a fantastic way to add intense flavor to your dishes without significantly impacting your daily carb count. Their low-carb profile ensures that they fit perfectly into this keto piccata recipe, contributing robust flavor without any dietary compromise.

The Bright Flavor of Lemon

Fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable for authentic piccata flavor. Its bright, acidic notes cut through the richness of the butter and capers, providing a vibrant and uplifting counterpoint. Always opt for fresh lemons over bottled juice for the best possible flavor. A good squeeze of fresh lemon at the end of cooking can elevate the entire dish.

Butter and Olive Oil

The combination of butter and olive oil is key for both cooking the chicken and building the sauce. Olive oil is used for its higher smoke point when pan-frying, while butter adds a rich, creamy depth and a beautiful browning to the chicken. In the sauce, butter contributes to its luxurious texture and flavor, marrying all the acidic and salty elements.

Chicken Broth and White Wine (Optional)

Chicken broth forms the base of our savory sauce, adding body and umami. For an extra layer of sophisticated flavor, a dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio) can be added during the deglazing process. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a subtle complexity that enhances the dish. If you prefer to omit alcohol, simply use additional chicken broth. Both options yield a delicious result.

Artichokes: An Optional Delight

While not traditional, adding artichoke hearts (canned or jarred, drained and quartered) can introduce a wonderful textural contrast and an earthy, slightly tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the lemon and capers. Stir them into the sauce during the final simmer to warm through and infuse with flavor.

Meal Prep and Storage

One of the many appealing aspects of this Keto Lemon Chicken Piccata is its versatility for meal preparation. It’s a fantastic dish to make ahead for lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Is Keto Lemon Chicken Piccata Freezer Friendly?

Yes, absolutely! This dish freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for batch cooking. To freeze, allow the cooked chicken and sauce to cool completely. Transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply defrost the dish overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. You might want to add a splash of extra chicken broth or lemon juice when reheating to refresh the sauce’s consistency and flavor.

For refrigeration, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The flavors often meld even more beautifully after a day or two, making it an excellent candidate for next-day enjoyment.

Serving Suggestions

This vibrant Keto Lemon Chicken Piccata pairs wonderfully with a variety of low-carb side dishes that complement its rich and zesty flavors. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:

• Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or zucchini noodles are excellent choices. Their freshness and slight crunch provide a perfect contrast to the tender chicken and savory sauce.
• Cauliflower Rice or Mash: For a low-carb alternative to traditional rice or mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice or a creamy cauliflower mash absorbs the piccata sauce beautifully.
• Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can add a refreshing element to the meal.
• Sautéed Spinach or Kale: Wilted greens are a quick and healthy side that pairs well with the lemon and caper flavors.

No matter what you choose, ensure your sides are seasoned lightly to let the star of the show – the chicken piccata – truly shine!

Keto Low-Carb Flourless Lemon Chicken Piccata

By Brandi Crawford

Keto Low-Carb Flourless Lemon Chicken Piccata is a quick recipe that uses almond flour, chicken cutlets, capers, and fresh lemon to make the perfect weeknight meal prep dinner! This Italian savory dish is gluten-free and made keto-style! Add in artichokes if you wish!

Rated 4.43 out of 5 stars by 7 users.

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Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Course: dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: 4

Calories: 518 kcal

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Ingredients

• ⅓ cup almond flour (I used Nature’s Eats, blanched)
• ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• McCormicks Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 tablespoons butter (1 tablespoon divided, and 3 tablespoons)
• 16-20 oz skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half to create 4 cutlets
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• ⅓ cup chicken broth
• ½ lemon, juice of
• ¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
• ¼ cup capers
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Combine the almond flour, grated parmesan, chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
2. Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over both sides of the chicken. Dredge the chicken in the almond flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
3. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan.
4. Add the breaded chicken to the pan. Fry both sides until each side has browned and the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. This typically takes about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.
6. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the pan along with the chopped garlic, maintaining medium-high heat. Allow the butter to melt and brown slightly, becoming fragrant.
7. Deglaze the pan by adding the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and capers. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these are packed with flavor!
8. Once the sauce boils, reduce the temperature to medium-low and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
9. Return the chicken cutlets to the pan, coating them thoroughly in the delicious sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
10. Allow to cool for a moment before serving hot with your favorite low-carb sides.

Video Tutorial

Video tutorial for making Keto Low-Carb Flourless Lemon Chicken Piccata coming soon!

Notes and Tips

Parmesan Cheese: In some of the older photos for this recipe, shredded Parmesan was used. However, I’ve found that finely grated Parmesan cheese works best for achieving a smooth, even coating and a crispier breading that adheres perfectly to the chicken.

Breading Adhesion: You have options for ensuring the almond flour mixture adheres well to the chicken. While drizzling with olive oil works effectively, you can also use a whisked egg wash before dredging the chicken. An egg wash creates an excellent binding layer for the breading.

Calorie Reduction: If you’re looking to reduce the overall calorie count of this dish, you can use less butter in the sauce and consider omitting the olive oil that is initially coated on the chicken before dredging. While the olive oil helps with breading adhesion and browning, you can still achieve a delicious result with slight adjustments. Experiment to find your preferred balance!

More Sauce: For those who love a generous amount of sauce, feel free to increase the quantities of chicken broth and/or dry white wine (if using) when making the piccata sauce. Adjust to your desired consistency and flavor intensity.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving

Calories: 518 kcal

Carbohydrates: 4 g

Protein: 45 g

Fat: 40 g

Nutrition Data

Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is typically calculated using tools like MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for any given recipe, it is always recommended that you calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your specific recipe, employing your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided or calculated by you is accurate, complete, and useful for your dietary needs.

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