Description
This Easy Cod Piccata recipe offers a light and flavorful way to prepare cod fillets with a tangy lemon-caper sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, the fish is lightly coated in flour, pan-seared in a combination of butter and olive oil, and finished with a bright sauce made from chicken broth, lemon juice, capers, garlic, and shallots. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish balances savory, citrusy, and briny flavors effortlessly.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Coating
- 1 pound cod fillets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Fats
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup drained capers
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and black pepper. Lightly dredge each cod fillet in the flour mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Shake off excess flour.
- Sear the Fish: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the salted butter together with the olive oil. When hot, add the floured cod fillets and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fish is golden brown and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the cod to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced shallot and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Piccata Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and add the drained capers. Stir to combine and allow the sauce to simmer and reduce slightly, about 3-5 minutes, until it thickens and the flavors meld.
- Finish and Serve: Return the cod fillets to the skillet spooning some sauce over the top to reheat them gently for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish before serving. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the fish.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste preference for more or less tartness.
- Capers add a salty, tangy element—rinse them if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Serve this dish with a side of steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- When cooking fish, avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper searing and browning.
