This Chicken Piccata Soup takes everything you love about the classic Italian dish and turns it into a cozy soup in 30 minutes. Bright lemon, briny capers, and tender chicken in a coconut cream broth that tastes indulgent but light.
Dice the onion, mince the garlic, chop the parsley and kale, and zest and juice the lemon. Having everything ready makes cooking smooth and prevents overcooking.
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Pat chicken thighs dry, season with salt and pepper, and cook 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove, rest 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
In the same pot, sauté the onion until translucent, then add garlic for 1 minute. Stir in drained capers, lemon zest, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, cooking 2-3 minutes to bloom the flavors.
Stir in fresh lemon juice and zest, and let it saute for a couple of minutes.
Pour in coconut cream and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
Add chopped chicken and kale, cooking 3-5 minutes until kale is tender. Taste again, adjust seasoning, then serve with extra parsley and a lemon wedge if desired.
Notes
Don't Overcook the Chicken: Cook the chicken to 165°F. Use a thermometer to avoid dry, tough meat.
Use Full-Fat Coconut Cream: Light coconut milk won't give the same rich, creamy texture.
Let the Chicken Rest: Let it rest for 3-4 minutes before chopping to keep it juicy.
Build Flavor Layers: Sauté the onion, garlic, and capers fully to deepen the broth's flavor.