Chicken piccata is a classic Italian dish that is made by dredging chicken cutlets in flour, pan frying them, and serving them with a lemon-caper sauce. It’s a light and bright dish that is full of flavor. But if you are watching your carb intake, you may be wondering – does chicken piccata have carbs?
The short answer is that yes, chicken piccata does contain some carbohydrates, mainly from the flour dredging. However, the amount of carbs in a serving of chicken piccata is fairly low, especially when compared to many other dishes.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the carb content of chicken piccata. We’ll break down where the carbs come from in this dish and provide some tips for reducing the carbs if you want to make a lower-carb version.
Carb Content of Chicken Piccata Ingredients
To determine if chicken piccata has carbs, we need to look at the carb content of each ingredient that goes into this dish:
Chicken Cutlets
Chicken breast is a lean, low-carb protein. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless chicken breast contains 0 grams of carbohydrates.
Flour for Dredging
The chicken cutlets are typically dredged in all-purpose flour before pan-frying. All-purpose flour contains about 75 grams of carbs per cup. Some of that flour will stick to the chicken and contribute carbs.
Lemon Juice
The tart lemon juice used to make the sauce contains very minimal carbs, with only about 1 gram per tablespoon.
White Wine
Many recipes call for a splash of white wine. A 5-ounce glass of white wine has around 5 grams of carbs. Only a small amount is used in chicken piccata.
Chicken Stock
Some recipes use chicken broth or stock to thin out the sauce. An 8-ounce cup of low-sodium chicken broth has about 2 grams of carbs.
Capers
The briny capers provide a burst of flavor but only trace amounts of carbs, about 1 gram per tablespoon.
Butter
A common ingredient is a tablespoon or two of butter, which contains 0 grams of carbs.
Parsley
Fresh parsley is often used as a garnish. A 1⁄4 cup of chopped fresh parsley has less than 1 gram of carbs.
Total Carbs in Chicken Piccata
So taking all of these ingredients into account, here are some estimates for the total carb count in a serving of chicken piccata:
– A 3-ounce serving of chicken piccata made with a light flour dredging will have around 5-10 grams of carbs from the flour coating.
– If you don’t flour the chicken at all, the carb count will be very minimal, around 3-5 grams.
– A dinner portion of 6 ounces of chicken with proportionate sauce may have 10-15 grams of carbs.
So the total carb count will be influenced by the amount of flour used to coat the chicken, as well as the portion size. Overall though, chicken piccata is moderately low in carbs compared to dishes like pasta or breaded, fried cutlets.
Tips for Reducing Carbs in Chicken Piccata
If you are aiming to cut carbs, here are some simple substitutions you can make:
– Skip the flour dredging and simply pan-fry the chicken in olive oil or butter. This avoids the extra carbs from the flour coating.
– Use low-carb almond flour or coconut flour instead of regular flour to coat the chicken. 2 tablespoons of almond flour has around 2 grams of carbs.
– Make the sauce thicker by using less chicken stock. The stock adds extra carbs.
– Serve over a low-carb side like cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of pasta or bread.
– Garnish with extra lemon slices instead of parsley for a lower carb option.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for a 6-ounce serving of chicken piccata made with a light 1⁄4 cup of flour dredging:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 236 |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 27 g |
As you can see, the carb count is fairly low for a 6-ounce portion, while still providing quality protein. The carb count will be even lower if flour is minimized or skipped.
Should You Avoid Chicken Piccata on a Low-Carb Diet?
Chicken piccata can definitely fit into a low-carb lifestyle. Compared to many other classic Italian dishes like chicken parmesan or pasta Alfredo, it is significantly lower in carbs.
A 3-6 ounce serving falls well within typical low-carb diet guidelines of limiting carbs to 50-150 grams per day. However, those following a strict keto diet may want to avoid the flour coating or limit portion sizes.
Some easy swaps like using almond flour and skipping the pasta or bread on the side can reduce carbs even further. Overall, enjoy chicken piccata in moderation alongside non-starchy vegetables as a delicious, protein-packed low-carb meal.
Other Low-Carb Chicken Recipes
If you love chicken but want to limit carbs, here are some other delicious low-carb options to try:
Baked Chicken Breast
Simply season and bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Top with fresh herbs or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Sauté chopped chicken and vegetables, then serve in lettuce leaves or collard green wraps for a low-carb, lighter take on tacos.
Chicken Soup or Stew
Simmer chicken and vegetables in broth for a comforting low-carb soup or stew. A variety of herbs and spices adds tons of flavor.
Chicken Skewers
Marinate bite-sized chicken in Greek yogurt and spices overnight. Thread onto skewers with vegetables for easy grilled kebabs.
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss chopped cooked chicken with Buffalo sauce, then serve over fresh greens and ranch dressing for a flavor and protein packed salad.
The possibilities are endless for preparing delicious low-carb chicken recipes by using healthy cooking methods and avoiding unnecessary carbs from breading or heavy sauces.
Conclusion
Chicken piccata contains a moderate amount of carbohydrates, primarily from the flour used to dredge the chicken before cooking. A 3-6 ounce serving generally provides 10-15 grams of carbs. This makes it a good lower-carb option compared to dishes like chicken parm or fettuccine Alfredo.
To reduce carbs, you can skip the flour coating altogether, use almond or coconut flour instead, limit chicken stock, and avoid pairing it with carb-heavy sides. Chicken piccata can fit into a low-carb lifestyle when reasonable portions are enjoyed along with non-starchy vegetables and a healthy lemon-caper sauce.