Chicken Piccata Pasta
Chicken Piccata Pasta – A light and zesty pasta dish made with whole wheat pasta. It’s the perfect anytime comfort food.
Pasta Comfort Food
So why pasta today? Pasta is comforting…
I’ve needed a little extra comfort lately. I’m usually a pretty “up” person. I tend to look on the bright side of things and try to keep a positive attitude when misfortune comes my way.
I’m not saying I always achieve this goal, but I do give it the ol’ college try.
Keeping it real, lately, there have been quite a few trials and tragedies in our circle of friends and acquaintances. Two families we know have lost a family member in the last month, along with further cancer diagnosis, financial hardship, and marital issues.
When things like this happen, it’s easy to let your emotions dictate your thoughts and decisions. It’s easy to slip into anger, bitterness, or fear.
Classic Italian Dish
I guess my point in bringing this up today, is that we all go through hard times.
No one is excluded from life’s hard knocks. Some situations we find ourselves in are self-inflicted, but sometimes they just come out of nowhere when you think you’re doing everything right. It’s normal to feel like you’re all alone when you are facing some sort of tribulation.
Through thick and thin, I try to focus my mind and actions on positive things like prayer and meditation, spending time with family and loved ones, and healthy eating and exercise.
These are things I can control. I can’t control what happens in the future. I can’t control the life expectancy of my loved ones. I can only pray, trust, and make positive choices.
Once you reside yourself to this truth, it takes a little bit of the angst off the lows in life, and helps you find the silver linings.
So let’s eat some comfort food, and ride out the hard times, shall we?
Chicken Piccata
I made Chicken Piccata Pasta this week, because the bright citrus flavor is light on the palate, yet still very comforting.
This is a tweaked version of my classic chicken piccata recipe.
The chicken is bite-sized and you don’t have to cut it as you eat, so it’s easy to dive right in to. Little bits of garlic, onion, capers, and fresh parsley mingle with the pasta and chicken, and vibrant lemony sauce glazes the pasta for a bright and perky finish.
I used Delallo Organic Whole Wheat Gemelli Pasta, because I love the use of higher quality flour, and the twisted shape reminds me of sticking together.
Easy Chicken Piccata with Pasta makes a perfect dish to take to a potluck, picnic, or to a friend needing a little pick-me-up.
What Ingredients You Will Need
- Chicken Tenders – cut into bite-size pieces
- Delallo Organic Whole Wheat Gemelli Pasta (or your favorite bite-size pasta shape)
- Flour – the tablespoons divided (any variety of flour will work)
- Butter
- Olive Oil
- Minced Garlic Cloves
- Small Red Onion – halved and sliced thin
- Fresh Chopped Rosemary
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Chicken Stock
- Capers – drained
- Chopped Parsley
- Salt and Pepper
How To Make This Italian Chicken Piccata Recipe
1. Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, chop the chicken, onion, and herbs. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter and oil.
2. Drop the pasta in the boiling water and cook as instructed on the package (about 8 minutes) then drain. Once the butter is melted, salt and pepper the chicken liberally and toss with 2 tablespoons flour. Place the chicken pieces in the hot butter and saute for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and place it on paper towels to dry.
3. Add the rosemary, garlic, and onions to the butter, stir and saute for 1 minute. Then whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons flour to thicken the sauce. Cook for another minute, then whisk in the lemon juice and chicken stock.
4. Once the sauce is simmering again, toss in the pasta, capers, and parsley. Mix in the chicken and serve warm.
Get The Full (Printable) Chicken Piccata Pasta Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Leftovers Last In The Fridge?
These leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I Use Other Types Of Pasta?
You can use any type of pasta in this recipe so go with what you like best, though I prefer this Gemelli pasta. Consider trying angel hair pasta, penne, or fusilli.
What Can I Top This Pasta With?
Like most Italian Dishes, grated parmesan cheese would go great over this pasta, along with some cracked black pepper, or any type of meat – like skinless chicken breasts.
Other Great Pasta Recipes
- Skinny Pasta Primavera Recipe
- One Pot Chicken Pasta with Light Basil Cream Sauce
- Shrimp Scampi Greek Pasta
- The Best Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pesto Chicken Baked Tortellini
- No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
- Spinach Artichoke Pasta Recipe
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Pasta Recipe
- Homemade Chicken Breast Pesto Pasta
Chicken Piccata Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 pound Delallo Organic Whole Wheat Gemelli Pasta
- 4 tablespoons flour divided (any variety)
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 small red onion halved and sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 3 ounces capers drained
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, chop the chicken, onion, and herbs. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter and oil.
- Drop the pasta in the boiling water and cook as instructed on the package (about 8 minutes) then drain. Once the butter is melted, salt and pepper the chicken liberally and toss with 2 tablespoons flour. Place the chicken pieces in the hot butter and saute for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to dry.
- Add the rosemary, garlic and onions to the butter and saute for 1 minute. Then whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons flour to thicken the sauce. Cook for another minute, then whisk in the lemon juice and chicken stock.
- Once the sauce is simmering again, toss in the pasta, capers and parsley. Mix in the chicken and serve warm.
What a great week night meal! Going to have to try this!
Oh shoot Sommer. I am so sorry. Everyone goes through these valleys. Good for you trying to see the best in the situation. ANd indeed, comfort food always helps :)
Thanks Heather!
Delicious meal! Love it!
Perfect meal & will be great for upcoming lunch boxes too!
When it rains it pours! I hope things turn around. Until then… pass me a plate of this!?
Oh I LOVE this! Chicken Picatta is a favorite of mine.. I don’t know what I don’t make it more! This is the perfect recipe. Pinned!
Such a beautifully written post Sommer! Everyone has their ups and downs in life and sometimes it’s easier to hold onto the hurt instead of looking on the positive side. I know for me, it always helps to have something comforting to eat! I love the ease of this version of chicken picatta!! Make getting it to the plate {and my belly!} that much faster.
Great weeknight meal! DeLallo pasta is the best!
Chicken picatta is one of my favourites and I could definitely go for a bowl of this right now!
This just looks like on seriously delicious bowl of pasta! I want to dig and grab some for a little later!! YUM!
If I ate chicken, I’m pretty sure chicken picatta would be my favorite. I’m such a sucker for lemony anything and it seems like it’d make for the most wonderful summer meal.
this is the best looking chicken picatta I’ve ever seen!! it looks so good – i just want to reach through my screen and serve myself a bowl :)
Needing this tonight!
So true Sommer. My faith has helped me get through some pretty tough times, and I know there are more to come. Comfort food like this pasta dish (that’s also on the healthier side) is something we all crave.
Beautifully said. Different seasons of life definitely bring new ups and downs, but thank goodness for good people, good lifestyles and good food to help bring us through. This pasta definitely looks like my kind of comfort food. :)
Such poignant and true words to live by. And fantastic summer dish!
**Blessings** over anything that is less than how God wants it to be right now. :) ….delish looking recipe by the way ;)
Thanks sweet friend!
Never underestimate the power of prayer. Positivity begets positivity. These are constant truths and I hope your friends and their troubles vanish soon. Pasta dishes are definitely pick-me-ups and your Chicken Picatta Pasta is just the ticket! Ultra comforting. Mmm. Love the pasta cut you selected for it, too. Have a great week, Sommer! Pinning! xo