Easy Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Piccata is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection with a tangy lemon-caper sauce. It’s an easy, healthy meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Piccata is a simple yet elegant dish that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Tender chicken breasts cook quickly in the air fryer, staying juicy and perfectly golden, while a bright, tangy lemon-caper sauce adds the perfect burst of freshness. This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you want a delicious, healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s light, flavorful, and sure to impress family and guests alike.

While you’re here, check out more of my favorite Air Fryer Italian Recipes like AIR FRYER BEEF STROMBOLI, AIR FRYER ITALIAN PORK CHOPS, AIR FRYER ITALIAN BEEF SLIDERS, and AIR FRYER COPYCAT OLIVE GARDEN CHICKEN PARMIGIANA.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Simple, fresh ingredients
• Ready in 30 minutes
• Perfectly crispy without any oil
• Easy for weeknights yet fancy enough for guests
• Gluten-free, Keto, and Weight Watchers

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken Breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Egg: Use large room temperature eggs
• Lemon Juice:  Freshly squeezed is amazing in this dish!
• All-Purpose: If you want to make a gluten-free version of this easy chicken piccata, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grab a wedge and grate it by hand for best results.
• Unsalted Butter
• Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock
• Capers: Find these in a jar near the olive section in the grocery store
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, and parsley

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

Step 1: Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or line the basket with parchment paper. Cut your chicken breast in half through the center, then use a kitchen mallet to pound into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Season the chicken with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. 

Tip: It’s easier to pound your chicken breast pieces if you wrap or cover them in plastic/saran wrap. 

Step 2: First, prepare your dredging stations. In one bowl, mix together the egg, lemon juice, and garlic powder. In another bowl, combine the flour, parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt. Dip your chicken into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, coating both sides. As you coat each piece, place it into the air fryer basket. 

Step 3: Set the air fryer temperature to 370 degrees F and set cook time for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway during the cooking process. Check the internal temperature of the chicken, which must be 165 degrees F, before transferring it to a plate. 

Step 4: While the chicken is cooking, add the butter, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, and the chicken broth to a saucepan. Simmer over low to medium heat until the butter is melted, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Drizzle sauce over your healthy chicken piccata and garnish with capers.

Recipe Variations

• Air Fryer Chicken Francese: To create a variation of Air Fryer Chicken Francese using the recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Piccata, simply omit the capers and lemon slices from the piccata sauce and instead use a mixture of chicken broth, white wine, lemon juice, and butter to create a rich and tangy sauce. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce and garnish with chopped parsley.
• Air Fryer Chicken Piccata No Breading: Omitting the breading step and cooking the chicken directly in the air fryer before topping it with a tangy lemon caper sauce.
• Air Fryer Healthy Chicken Piccata No Flour: Use a light dusting of almond flour or breadcrumbs on the chicken before air frying to achieve a crispy coating without traditional flour.

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Piccata Recipe Tips

• Slicing: Start with boneless breasts of similar thickness, then slice evenly through the center. This will make it easier to pound them to the right thickness, ensuring each piece cooks evenly.
• Flatten: Use a meat mallet to pound the cutlets as flat as you can get it — I aim for 1/4-inch thickness. This also helps tenderize the meat. If you don’t have a mallet, you can use a rolling pin instead.
• Oil: Spritz both sides of the breaded chicken with oil, preferably one with a high smoke point. This will help the pieces crisp up and prevent them from sticking.
• Season: Add your favorite spices to the flour mixture or season the chicken before dredging. This will add flavor and help to seal in moisture.
• Wine: If you’re looking for the best wine to pair with chicken piccata, try Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio. A dry Rosé goes well with the lemon caper chicken sauce, but stay away from sweeter versions.
• Keto: The flour mixture can be replaced by crushed pork rinds. Remember to check the other ingredients to make sure that they are low-carb and keto-friendly!
• Weight Watchers: With a few ingredient switches, you can have a simple WW Chicken Piccata recipe. Use an egg substitute and low-fat Parmesan cheese.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store leftover chicken piccata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce separate if possible to prevent the chicken from becoming soggy.
• Freezing: Freeze the cooked and cooled chicken piccata in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze the sauce separately and thaw both in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheating: Reheat chicken piccata in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes or until warmed through. Warm the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, then spoon over the chicken before serving.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Piccata

When it comes to dinner, sometimes the best option is something simple. Lemon caper chicken is a classic dish that is easy to make and always satisfying. But what should you serve with it? Here are some ideas that will complement the flavors of the dish perfectly.

• Buttered Noodles
• Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables
• Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
• Roasted Spinach
• Rice
• Air Fryer Mashed Potatoes

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Piccata Recipe Faqs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs? Yes, you can use chicken breasts for this recipe. However, chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful. If using chicken breasts, adjust the cooking time as they may cook faster.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour instead of traditional breadcrumbs for coating the chicken.

Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time? Yes, you can bread the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to cook. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before air frying.

What can I serve with Air Fryer Chicken Piccata? Air Fryer Chicken Piccata pairs well with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. You can also serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover cooked chicken piccata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through before serving.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGH SCHNITZEL
• AIR FRYER CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
• EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN FAJITA BURRITOS
• AIR FRYER CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
• AIR FRYER CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS

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