Simple Weeknight Family Dinner Table And Meal
When it comes to a simple weeknight family dinner, finding a recipe that’s both quick to make and delicious can be a game-changer. One such dish that fits the bill perfectly is Chicken Piccata.
We are in Pasadena, California at our daughter and son-in-law’s home. With two-and-a-half year old daughter, Louisa and five month old son, Leo, an early dinner at home fits their lifestyle. So last night, I set the table with a few pieces from a Target run while Howard made a simple Italian dinner for us.
And we are joining my friends, Annie, Cindy and Molly for their cozy dinner at home recommendations. Their links are at the end of the post.
Simple Weeknight Family Dinner Menu
- Little Gem Lettuce salad with tomatoes, onions and bleu cheese vinaigrette
- Chicken Piccata served on thin al dente “angel hair” pasta (with the lemon butter sauce from the chicken)
- Roasted broccolini
- Boxed gourmet chocolates for dessert (my sister gave them these delicious Italian chocolates as a gift)
Why Choose Chicken Piccata?
Chicken Piccata is a versatile dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a tangy, lemony sauce accented with capers. It’s a dish that appeals to both kids (Louisa loved it) and adults, thanks to its balanced flavors and comforting appeal.
Here’s why it’s a great addition to your weeknight rotation:
- Quick Preparation: Chicken Piccata typically cooks in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence.
- Family-Friendly Ingredients: With simple ingredients like chicken breasts, lemon, capers, and butter, Chicken Piccata is easy to prepare and appeals to different tastes.
- Healthy Option: It’s a lighter choice compared to many other dinner options, especially when paired with fresh vegetables or a light salad.
Weeknight Chicken Piccata
Ingredients
- 4 6 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast halved
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/4 fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp capers
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap. Pound breasts to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet
- Spread flour into a wide, shallow dish. Press chicken into flour to coat completely.
- Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook chicken in hot butter mixture until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a serving platter and cover with a lid to keep warm.
- Pour white wine, lemon juice, capers, and garlic into the skillet. Bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon; cook at a boil until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle sauce over and around chicken; garnish with parsley.
Setting the Weeknight Dinner Table
Here are some tips to elevate your weeknight family dinner:
- Table Setting: Keep it simple yet inviting. A clean tablecloth or placemats, paired with casual dinnerware, sets a relaxed tone. I used a pretty Threshold Studio McGee machine washable throw blanket for a cozy tablecloth.
- Ambiance: Candle light is nice and it’s a treat for our grand-daughter, Louisa, to blow them out at the end of the meal. The blush taper candles are also from Target.
- Tableware and centerpiece: By mixing a high-low combo of Alexandra’s Portuguese lettuce leaf plates and Target stoneware dinner plates, we brought the outside in. Consider using a house plant as a simple centerpiece. This one is from Target with a good terracotta pot was only $15 (check your store). We added a little moss to the base.
Let’s check out what my friends are recommending for dinner this time of year.
Most Lovely Things
Cindy Hattersley Design
Molly in Maine
Shop The Cozy Dinner:
Everything looks lovely and delicious. Including Louisa! So nice that you get to see each other fairly often. My kids and grands are all over the country. Would love the salad recipe-looks wonderful. I always look forward to your posts.
We are back home now, Barbara, already missing them!
Hi Mary Ann,
Fabulous table setting. You put everything together so well, candles set the relaxed mellow out mood. I love candle light. I bet Louisa loves blowing the candles out. The pic of Louisa and mom is precious (they are both beautiful) also if Howard and your daughter pic speaks of pure love and admiration.
Howard is an amazing cook. He just seems to enjoy it so much. Wow, are you ever blessed that he does. You are a great cook and baker too. Your sister’s box of Venchi chocolates look high end special. What a great way to end a meal.
Oh, I wish there was a link to the lettuce salad plates. Those are perfect!
You are so lucky that Howard likes to cook. After 52 years of marriage, I’m a little tired of creating meals every day. I do love trying new recipes though.
Louisa is off to a great start in food appreciation given her enjoyment of chicken piccata (lemon & capers) — wonderful! And appreciation for family dinner with an attractive table. That exposure from a young age is lovely. Despite having an Italian-born husband, and helping my father-in-law pick capers from his incredible caper shrub every summer in Liguria for 30 years, I’ve never tried chicken piccata, but I’m inspired to try Howard’s recipe — thank you.
Mary Anne,
Your family’s coast to coast commitments show in the loving “cozy” photos. Cooking together, while continuing your traditions around the table, draw us into the love.
The reasonably priced Target purchases motivate me to make a trip out. I imagine the terra cotta plates holding my blue and white transfer ware.
I love that you included “Molly in Maine” in this feature.
Hugs from Mercer Island,
Diney
Hi Mary Anne! This family dinner sounds perfect! And your table setting adds just enough “special” to an every-night. Especially the candles! So fun joining you for this cozy-dinner share!
Lovely table setting and menu! Three cheers for Howard and his cooking. Chicken piccata is one of my favorite meals and I pinned the recipe to make soon. Enjoy the rest of your time in California with your adorable grands. xo
Thanks, Juliet. Heading home today 🙁
Mary Ann! I can feel the family love in these photos! Everything looks so beautiful. I love the mix of Alexandra’s lettuce plates with the stoneware plates, the throw from Studio McGee and the blush candles in the crystal candlesticks. So pretty!
I have not made chicken piccata in the longest time! I might make it tonight…using Howard’s recipe!
xx
We gave them those lettuce plates as a wedding gift.
My family and I love Chicken Piccata and I agree “it’s so easy to make”!
I want it again next week!
I love your posts and enjoy seeing photos of your family! Is your family of Italian descent? Your husband and children look so much alike. You probably hear that a lot.
The Pickett’s are English and French. My daughter’s husband is Italian and Spanish.
What a darling table setting you created from Target!! Howard’s meal looks delicious. I pinned it and can’t wait to try it! That Louisa is precious!
I had fun at Target buying Louisa play clothes. YOU know how that is 🙂
I so enjoy your blog. Your daughter is beautiful. My daughter has young children as well and I like that you make the practical so elegant. Looks like you enjoy the little things that make ordinary moments special. Thanks for the recipe and great table setting ideas!
Hi Lori,
I agree with your note to Mary Ann for all the same reasons. Making each day special. Thank you.
Linda
Such a kind remark!!
Thanks, Lori! Fun to be a grandma, isn’t it?
Absolutely!