Chicken with Lemon & Capers

 

Capers are an ingredient that I always, always have either in my larder or in the refrigerator.   I just adore their tangy flavour and the flavour boost they give to dishes that they are used in!  

I had never ever heard of them prior to moving over here to the UK.  Mind you I hadn't discovered pizza until my late teens, nor Chinese food!  I had a really limited experience with food when I was growing up.  

It was all simple but good.  Nothing fancy smancy, and I guess I carried that somewhat into my adulthood . . .  with a few new discoveries along the way, of course! 

 

Capers are the small flower buds of a Mediterranean  shrub called Capparis .  They are picked by hand which means they can be fairly pricey but they're a versatile store cupboard ingredient, and are good for adding a distinctive sour/salty flavour to many savoury dishes.  

 Also a little goes a long, long way flavour wise, so they are not a bad investment as they will keep virtually forever in the refrigerator so long as you keep the berries submerged in the pickling liquid if you have bought the pickled ones and salt is a natural preservative so the salted ones keep virtually forever as well.

 

Really small, peppercorn-sized capers, called 'nonpareille' are available, but the slightly larger ones are more common. Capers are preserved a number of ways - either in salt, wine vinegar, brine or olive oil. 

The brine-pickled type has the sharpest flavour and is slightly less versatile than the salted type. For a more sophisticated caper flavour, you can try the elegantly stemmed caper berries, which are a little milder and sweeter than the standard type. 

I have a bottle of those in the larder, which I have yet to use.  I think they are more for dinner party garnishes, and we don't have many dinner parties. 

 

They go really well with mild flavoured proteins such as chicken and mild flavoured fish . . .  and they are great in tartar sauce!   

They actually help to bring out the best in these things . . .  and when you mix them with lemon, it's a combination that  just goes WOWSA in your mouth! 

This dish here today is one of my absolute all time favourite chicken dishes.  I could seriously eat it every night of the week . . .  well, maybe not every night, but fairly often anyways!

 

The chicken is so tender in this . . . because it cooks so quickly and that sauce is just to die for.   Buttery and lemony . . . with just the right amount of salty piquancy!  

I just adore this and I think you will too.  It's quick and easy and just fancy enough to be considered special.

 

I love chicken breasts and eat them probably more than any other protein. If you are a fan of chicken breasts and are looking for delicious ways to prepare them, you might also enjoy the following:

PAN ROASTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH THYME - Although I have used chicken breasts with the skin on in this recipe, you could also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They will not take quite so long to cook as this version with the skin, so be careful to not let them dry out. The skin in this recipe helps to keep the meat moist and does impart flavor. Plus it gets nice and crisp. I admit I do love crisp chicken skin, even if its not that healthy to eat. This recipe produces tender juicy pieces of chicken with a crisp skin and beautiful flavors.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CHIMICHURRI SAUCE - Chimichurri Sauce may not be a sauce you are familiar with. Its a lovely lush and spicy sauce which hails from Argentina.Its deliciously created from fresh herbs, vinegar, seasonings, red pepper flakes and plenty of garlic, and there is not much it doesn't go with! For this recipe it is served with tender juicy chicken breasts which have been marinated in some of the chimichurri prior to grilling, and then once cooked served with more of the sauce for drizzling over top. Altogether very delicious!

Yield: 4

Author: Marie Rayner

Chicken with Lemon & Capers

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min

This is so impressive, and yet it is quick and simple to make. The sauce is rich and delicious. Have all of your ingredients ready before you start and things will run as smoothly as clockwork.

Ingredients

You will need:

• 12 TBS cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces divided
• 2 TBS finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 80ml chicken stock (1/3 cup)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 3 TBS fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp parsley flakes
• fine sea salt
• pepper
• 2 heaped dessertspoons of non-pareil capers, rinsed and drained

For the chicken:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (or use cutlets)
• 2 TBS grated parmesan Cheese
• 45g flour (1/3 cup)
• fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• olive oil
• 8 ounces (1/2 pound) angel hair pasta, cooked and drained to serve

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally through the middle so that you have 8 fillets. Put them in a plastic baggie, one at a time and pound lightly to 1/4 inch thickness throughout.
2. Season liberally all over with salt and pepper. Mix together the parmesan cheese and flour. Dredge the pieces of chicken in this until well coated. Set aside.
3. Heat a swirl of olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Once it is hot add the chicken and brown well on each side. (About 3 minutes per side. Don't overcook) Remove to a plate and then keep warm in a low oven.
4. Add 1 TBS of the butter to the pan. Reduce the pan to low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add the chicken stock, sugar, parsley flakes and lemon juice. Increase the heat and bring to the boil. Cook until the liquid is reduced by about half.
6. Turn the heat down to very low. Start whisking in the butter a bit at a time, letting it melt before adding more. The sauce should form a thick silky emulsion.
7. Stir in the capers. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
8. To serve divide drained pasta between plates. Top with chicken pieces and spoon sauce over all. Serve immediately.

All rights reserved The English Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it #TheEnglishKitchen

 

This is absolutely gorgeous.  Just looking at the pictures makes me want to eat it all over again!  I just know you will love it too! 

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com 

 Thanks so much for visiting! Do come again! 

 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right hand side of the screen.