Express Chicken Piccata Bowl

Featured in: Quick Weeknight Meals

This vibrant dish features tender chicken pieces coated and seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a bright lemon piccata sauce with garlic, capers, and buttery richness. Served over fluffy steamed rice, it’s finished with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices for a burst of brightness. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and herbal flavors, ideal for a quick yet elegant meal.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:21:00 GMT
Golden-brown chicken piccata nestled on fluffy rice, bathed in a bright lemon sauce for a flavorful Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl. Pin
Golden-brown chicken piccata nestled on fluffy rice, bathed in a bright lemon sauce for a flavorful Express Chicken Piccata Rice Bowl. | forkandbloom.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 dish combines simplicity and brightness for a satisfying meal that became a family favorite in no time.

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.
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| forkandbloom.com

This recipe has become a staple for family dinners, bringing a bright and fresh taste everyone looks forward to.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a splash of dry white wine with the broth. Add steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach for more vegetables.

Required Tools

Large skillet, shallow bowl, knife and cutting board, rice cooker or saucepan

Allergen Information

Contains gluten from flour and dairy from butter (substitute as needed). May contain sulfites from capers and wine if used. Always verify ingredient labels for specific allergens.

Imagine the savory aroma of chicken piccata, a quick and easy recipe in this vibrant rice bowl with parsley garnish. Pin
Imagine the savory aroma of chicken piccata, a quick and easy recipe in this vibrant rice bowl with parsley garnish. | forkandbloom.com

This chicken piccata rice bowl will quickly become your go-to weeknight dinner for a fresh and flavorful meal.

Recipe Q&A

What is the best rice to use?

Both white and brown rice work well; choose based on your preference for texture and nutrition.

Can I make the sauce dairy-free?

Yes, substitute unsalted butter with plant-based margarine or olive oil for a dairy-free version.

How do capers influence the flavor?

Capers add a briny, slightly tangy note that balances the lemon and enriches the sauce’s complexity.

Is it possible to use other proteins?

Yes, thin cuts of turkey or firm fish can be used but adjust cooking times accordingly.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Steamed broccoli or sautéed spinach make great additions for extra color and nutrition.

Express Chicken Piccata Bowl

Zesty chicken with lemony piccata sauce atop steamed rice garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices.

Prep duration
10 min
Cooking duration
20 min
Complete duration
30 min


Skill level Easy

Origin Italian-American

Yield 4 Portions

Dietary specifications None specified

Components

Protein

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

Rice

01 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (about 10.5 oz)

Coating & Seasoning

01 ½ cup all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon salt
03 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cooking

01 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

01 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
02 ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
03 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
04 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
05 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or dairy-free margarine for dairy-free option)

Garnish

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

Directions

Step 01

Prepare coating mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge chicken pieces in the mixture, shaking off any excess.

Step 02

Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken 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

Deglaze and simmer: Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping the pan to release browned bits. Bring mixture to a simmer.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Finish sauce: Stir in butter until melted and sauce is glossy. Remove skillet from heat.

Step 07

Assemble bowl: Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top with chicken and spoon over the piccata sauce. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices if desired.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult healthcare professionals if you're uncertain about anything.
  • Contains gluten (flour) and dairy (butter; substitute as needed). May contain sulfites (capers, wine if used). Verify ingredient labels for specific allergens.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Calories: 420
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Carbs: 45 g
  • Protein: 30 g