Chicken Piccata

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 extra-large egg
1/2 tablespoon water
3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved
1/2 cup dry white wine
Sliced lemon, for serving
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

1. Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

4. For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Donna Ginevra • Verdicchio • 2005 • Marches, Italy • 3213352

Grape: Verdicchio

appearance - bright, clear

color : yellow

aroma - subtle

flavors (smell + taste)

sweetness - dry, slight sweetness

acidity - round

oak -

fruit - pear

earth - mineral

body - medium

tannins -

alcohol - 12.5%

serving notes - drink cold, from the refrigerator. look for most recent vintage.

• As white wines go, Verdicchio is not everyone's cup of tea. It's considered one of Italy's heirloom wines, a wine made from indigenous grapes and not the more popular noble varieties. Verdicchio, the wine and the grape, has been prized throughout the centuries. In 410, Alaric, King of the Visigoths, ordered that 40 mules be loaded with barrels of the wine. It was needed to fortify his soldiers before they laid siege to Rome.