The Best Cod Piccata will become your new favorite if you want light, savory meals that seem restaurant-worthy yet are shockingly simple to create at home.
Simmered in a delightful buttery lemon-caper sauce that is bright, acidic, and quite seductive, delicate, flaky cod fillets are gently pan-fried till brown. Perfect for everything from a weeknight dinner to a magnificent meal for guests, this dish feels both sophisticated and comfortable.
And the best thing about it is In about thirty-five minutes, everything comes together.
If you enjoy creamy pasta dishes, try pairing Cod Piccata with Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta for a rich, indulgent meal.
Table of Contents
Why Will You Love This Recipe?
Quick and Simple: A lunch lasting thirty-five minutes that tastes like it has all day.
Light and flavorful—the ideal mix of briny deliciousness, lemony, and buttery taste.
Lean, high in Omega-3s, and satisfying, cod is also protein-packed.
Restaurant-Worthy, Without the Price Tag: Make this at home instead of the upscale seafood restaurant!
Ingredients
Here’s all you need to present this sophisticated meal:
For the Cod:
About six ounces apiece, fresh or frozen (thawed), for the cod fillets.
Salt and black pepper are essential for seasoning.
All-purpose flour pan-fried produces a light, golden crust.
The rich, silky sauce is achieved with olive oil and unsalted butter.
Concerning the Sauce:
Garlic – Since it makes everything better.
Dry White Wine gives the sauce a brilliant, slightly acidic dimension.
Fresh lemon juice is the main component used in that famous piccata tang.
Chicken broth accentuates the sauce and balances the acidity.
Piccata piccata is made from briny, salted, tiny taste bursts.
Fresh parsley for a little color and freshness.
Lemon slices are a great last, beautiful garnish.
👉 Find full ingredient measurements in the recipe card below!
For a side that soaks up this delicious sauce, serve it with Focaccia – Best Way to Eat.
Making Cod Piccata: Methodologies
First, get the code ready.
After patting the cod fillets dry with paper towels, which helps them sear better, season both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge every fillet in flour lightly, shaking off any extra.
In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, pan-fry the cod.
Heat olive oil and two tablespoons of butter. Add the cod fillets and cook for three to four minutes on each side until golden and crisp outside. When flipping, be careful. After you are done, please take out the fish and arrange it on a heated platter.
Third: Create the Piccata Sauce.
Add the garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t burn it! Spoon in the white wine and lemon juice, scraping out all those mouthwatering browned pieces from the pan. To decrease somewhat, let it simmer for two to three minutes.
Fourth step: add the last ingredients.
Add the chicken broth and capers and let the sauce boil for another two minutes.
Step five: finish the sauce and return the cod.
Spoon the sauce over the fish fillets back in the skillet. Let everything simmer another two to three minutes so the fish absorbs all that brilliant, buttery sweetness.
Step 6: Add Butter and Present.
For a glossy, savory finish, stir in the last two tablespoons of butter and chopped parsley. Taste and change the salt level as necessary.
Prepare for a great dinner by plating the fish, garnishing with lemon slices, and drizzle with extra sauce!

Pro Tip: For a bolder seafood option, check out Bang Bang Salmon.
Easy Advice for the Perfect Cod Piccata
Pat the cod dry to guarantee the flour sticks well, resulting in a crispy, golden outside.
Fish should not be overdone; cod is sensitive; hence, three to four minutes on each side is adequate!
Deglaze the pan; scrape those browned bits when adding lemon juice and wine; this is where all the taste resides.
Make It Extra Luscious: For a creamy Piccata variant, toss in a dab of heavy cream.
Need More Heat? For a little kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes sparingly.
This Lemon-Caper Cod Piccata goes especially well with:
The best buttery, creamy basis is garlic mashed potatoes.
Steamed rice or quinoa will help you to absorb all that amazing sauce.
Asparagus or spinach sautéed light and fresh counteracts the richness.
Crusty bread since the sauce is too excellent to waste!
Make Ahead and Organization
Maintaining Leftovers
Keep leftover fish refrigerated in an airtight jar for up to two days.
Reheating
Stovetop: To loosen the sauce, gently heat it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of stock.
Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals using a microwave; be careful not to overcook the fish.
Pro Tip: Try to eat cod immediately after cooking since it is fresh!

Frequencies of Askquest
Is it possible to utilize frozen cod?
Exactly! Before dredging and frying, defrost it totally and pat it dry.
Which wine goes best with piccata?
Perfect white wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay; they are not dry.
Can I choose another kind of fish?
Indeed! Try halibut, tilapia, sole, or even salmon for a great change.
Should I not have capers?
For that briny, salted kick, replace chopped green olives or a few extra lemon juice.
Conclusion
Restaurant-quality but entirely feasible at home, this Cod Piccata is bright, buttery, and packed with flavor—a basic but exquisite dinner. This recipe will wow you whether your supper is for a special occasion or you want to improve your weeknight cuisine.
One mouthful will hook you! 🍋🐟
😊 Enjoy and

The Best Cod Piccata
Ingredients
- For the Cod:
- 4 cod fillets 6 oz each
- ½ cup all-purpose flour for dredging
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- For the Piccata Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
- 3 tbsp capers drained
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- Optional Garnishes:
- Lemon slices
- Extra chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Cod
- Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dredge each cod fillet lightly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Step 2: Cook the Cod
- Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cod fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. (Cod should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.)
- Remove the fillets from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- Step 3: Make the Piccata Sauce
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers, stirring well. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4: Finish and Serve
- Reduce heat to low and whisk in 2 tbsp butter until the sauce is smooth.
- Return the cod fillets to the pan, spooning sauce over them. Let them warm through for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices.
- Serve immediately with pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can pan-fry the cod in a mix of olive oil and butter.
- If cod isn’t available, you can substitute with haddock, halibut, or tilapia.
- For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or gluten-free flour for dredging.