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Chicken Piccata with Asparagus and Linguine

A bright, healthy meal featuring chicken fillet, asparagus, and a tangy lemon sauce, served over linguine pasta.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 90 g pasta (linguine) Whole wheat or legume-based for a healthier option.
  • 225 g green asparagus Cut the ends off before cooking.
  • 125 g red cherry tomatoes Halved.
  • 0.5 half yellow lemon Juiced.
Chicken and Sauce
  • 120 g chicken fillet Flattened to ensure even cooking.
  • 15 g capers
  • 50 ml vegetable stock Prepared beforehand.
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar To balance acidity.
  • 0.5 tablespoon black balsamic vinegar
  • 1.5 tablespoons butter Use olive oil for a lighter version.
  • 0.5 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 half clove garlic Mince or crush.
  • 0.5 half shallot Mince finely.
Seasoning
  • Salt and pepper To taste.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
  2. Bring a large quantity of water to a boil in two saucepans.
  3. Prepare the vegetable stock.
  4. Mince the shallot, chop the parsley, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
  5. Squeeze the lemon and mince or crush the garlic.
  6. Cut 2 cm from the ends of the green asparagus.
  7. Cook the asparagus for 1 to 2 minutes in one of the saucepans, then plunge into cold water.
  8. Combine cherry tomatoes, black balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and olive oil in a baking dish.
  9. Season with salt and pepper, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Cooking
  1. Cook the linguine for 8 to 10 minutes, covered, in the other saucepan. Drain and set aside.
  2. Flatten the chicken fillet using parchment paper or cling film.
  3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  4. Heat half a tablespoon of butter per person in a sauté pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
  5. Wrap the chicken in aluminum foil to keep warm while preparing the sauce.
  6. In the same pan, cook shallots for 1 to 2 minutes, then add lemon juice, vegetable stock, and capers. Let it reduce for 3 to 4 minutes.
  7. Off the heat, stir in butter, then add cherry tomatoes and half of the parsley.
  8. Gently incorporate linguine, then season with salt and pepper.
  9. Serve the linguine on plates, arrange the green asparagus alongside, and place the chicken on top. Garnish with remaining parsley.

Notes

For a healthy version, choose whole wheat linguine. Portion control is key for weight loss. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.