Chicken Piccata Pasta
Juicy chicken thighs and radiatori pasta tossed in a lemony, buttery piccata sauce with capers, garlic, and Parmesan—this is comfort food with a zesty twist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, American
Ingredients
8 oz uncooked radiatori pasta (or any short pasta)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup (4 oz) dry white wine
1/4 cup drained capers
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed and cold
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 oz Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes (or 7 for firmer texture). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
Cook Chicken:
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until just smoking. Add chicken and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until browned on one side. Stir and cook another 3 minutes until evenly browned.
Make the Sauce:
Add garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet and cook until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute. Pour in white wine and capers, bring to a boil, and reduce by half, about 1 minute.
Combine Pasta & Sauce:
Add cooked pasta, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, butter, and lemon juice. Stir over medium heat until sauce thickens and clings to pasta, about 3 minutes. Add more pasta water if needed.
Finish & Serve:
Remove from heat, stir in grated Parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Radiatori pasta holds sauce beautifully, but you can substitute with penne or fusilli.
Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best.
Use cold butter to emulsify and thicken the sauce properly.
For extra richness, sprinkle more Parmesan before serving.
Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/chicken-piccata-pasta/
