Chicken Piccata is a delectable dish made of chicken breast breaded with flour, sauteed in butter, and topped with capers and lemons. It’s a traditional Italian meal that is incredibly tasty, elegant, and surprisingly simple to make.
You can even add a little cream to the frying pan and make this dish delightfully creamy.
But did you know? Chicken Piccata is the ultimate date night recipe.
So, if you’re thinking of a romantic way to surprise your significant other, why not make them this classic Italian dish? It’s the perfect romantic dinner for two.
Whether you serve it up with some lemon garlic herb rice, roasted veggies, or buttered noodles, your date is sure to be impressed!
But of course, you’ll also want some tasty side dishes to complement this elegant main dish. So without further ado, here are 10 quick and easy sides to serve with chicken piccata.
1. Buttered Noodles
Chicken piccata may already be loaded with lots of butter, but who cares? With butter, we say the more, the better! If you’re looking for a hearty and starchy dish to fill up your tummy, then make some buttered noodles.
This simple pasta dish is loaded with flavor. Simply stir some egg noodles in a mixture of butter, chicken broth, bouillon cube, and water. Flavor it with some garlic butter, pepper, and garnish with parsley, and it’s done!
With this easy breezy dish, you’ve got all the time in the world to have that wonderful quality time with your partner. Preferably by candlelight.
2. Roasted Veggies
Want to add some color to your plate? What better way to spice up your dinner than a healthy serving of roasted vegetables? These guys are packed with nutrients, flavors, and textures!
Plus, by roasting your vegetables, you’ll caramelize the natural sugars in the vegetables. Which results in a sweet, nutty, toasty flavor that tingles our taste buds.
To make, slice up some onions, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini. Place them onto a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Season them with salt, pepper, and some chopped garlic.
Pop them in the oven and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Pour some balsamic vinegar over the veggies and coat with Parmesan cheese and shredded basil. Fantastic.
3. Smashed Potatoes
Nope, we did not spell that caption incorrectly, folks – we do mean smashed potatoes. These baked potatoes are crisp on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside, and flavorful all the way.
The wonderful textures and earthy flavor of this side dish go well with the zesty chicken. Just like you and your partner, this combination is a match made in heaven.
To make, boil baby potatoes until they are fork-tender. Let them cool while you wait for the oven to heat to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Drizzle some olive oil over a baking sheet. Throw the potatoes onto the sheet, and smash each of them with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
Drizzle with additional olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake them for 25-30 minutes and serve fresh from the oven.
4. Sauteed Spinach
If you want to keep things light, a healthy serving of sauteed spinach is the perfect choice for you. This side dish has mild delicious flavors that will not overshadow your main entrée. The chicken piccata will still shine as the star of your dinner, with the sauteed spinach as the perfect supporting actor.
Spinach can sometimes be a challenge to prepare, because it sometimes turns out bitter, no matter how fresh the produce is or how properly you have cooked it.
So here’s a simple tip to avoid bitter spinach: Pour some orange zest or lemon juice over the top. Or, cook it in some olive oil and add balsamic vinegar just before you remove it from the heat.
5. Lemon Garlic Herb Rice
Let’s face it, rice is the best companion to any protein entrée. A steaming bowl of rice may look modest, but it makes the entire meal incredibly satisfying.
For the best combo, we recommend a lemon garlic herb rice. The zesty flavor makes a refreshing combo with the chicken piccata.
So, what is the best rice for this dish, you may ask. Any long-grain white or brown rice would be great, but we recommend basmati rice. It’s got a beautiful nutty flavor and is fluffier than regular rice.
Also, be sure to rinse the rice thoroughly before you cook it. Soak it in water and stir the grains with your hands to release extra starch. Drain the water and repeat the process until the water becomes clear.
6. Mashed Potatoes
What goes better with chicken than creamy, buttery mashed potatoes? This is a match made in heaven. And although it may not be as elegant as chicken piccata, it sure is tasty!
For melt-in-your mouth mashed potatoes use red potatoes, cut into chunks. Season with minced garlic, chicken bouillon, salt and pepper. And of course – the three ingredients that bring the magic: sour cream, butter, and cream cheese.
These heavenly potatoes won’t last long, and they’re perfect when dipped in delectable bites of chicken.
7. Roasted Asparagus
This bright green veggie will fire up your palate and add some crunchy goodness to your meal.
To make, coat your asparagus with olive oil. Then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Place into a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes.
Spritz with lemon juice just before serving. The lemon gives this savory side dish a zesty and refreshing flavor that goes well with chicken picatta.
8. Angel Hair Pasta
It is exquisite, heavenly, and downright delicious. That tasty chicken sauce works as a pasta sauce as well. Serve your chicken piccata over angel hair pasta for a truly decadent meal.
But, instead of just getting store-bought angel hair pasta at your local grocery store, why not make it yourself? It’s not that difficult, plus you can turn it into a fun and educational activity with your partner! Such a wonderful idea for a simple date night at home.
9. Dinner Rolls
Because what that drool-worthy chicken piccata needs is a sponge to absorb all that decadent sauce.
Sure, you can buy dinner rolls at your favorite bakery, but where’s the fun in that? Since chicken piccata is so easy to whip up, why not make your own dinner rolls as well. And don’t worry, you need not be an expert to bake these buttery buns!
10. Wine
You can’t have a romantic dinner without a bottle of wine. Some options that pair beautifully with chicken picatta include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, or your favorite white wine.
We tend to lean towards varieties that have hints of lemon and citrus. But as always, let your palate lead the way!
Excellent suggestions for sides with chicken piccata. Now I just need a few easy appetizers.