Chickpea Piccata

Serves 2 to 4

_{Photo by Timothy Pakron}

This chickpea piccata recipe is basically an instant fancy dinner. One second you’re just sitting there all normal like, and then the first forkful of lemony wine sauce hits your tongue and suddenly you’re transported to candlelight and tablecloths, even if you’re sitting in front of the TV rewatching the Sopranos. That’s the magic of piccata.

This is a vegan piccata recipe that skips the chicken entirely and uses chickpeas instead, which makes it faster and easier than the original. The sauce is the whole point anyway: white wine, lemon, capers, shallots, garlic, all reduced down into something glossy and briny and completely irresistible. It comes together in about 20 minutes, start to finish, which makes it one of the best weeknight vegan dinners in the rotation.

I slice the garlic very thinly for this recipe instead of mincing it. I think that’s a big part in what makes the recipe so special! So grab your copy of Goodfellas and slice that garlic razor thin, like this. It’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. 

A note on the method: this recipe originally appeared in Appetite for Reduction, which was a low-fat cookbook. So there’s just a teaspoon of olive oil in the ingredients list. If you’re not worried about that sort of thing, go ahead and use a few glugs more — the shallots and garlic will be even happier for it. The technique here is worth understanding because it’s what makes the sauce so good. You sauté the shallots and garlic first until they’re golden, then add the breadcrumbs and toast them right in the pan. This does two things: it adds a nutty, toasty depth to the sauce, and it thickens it just slightly as everything reduces together. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

This recipe has been well-loved since it first appeared back in 2010, and the 142 comments below will back that up. People make it for Valentine’s Day, for dinner parties, for random nights when they need something that feels special without any drama. The new photo does it more justice than the old one, but the recipe is exactly the same because it didn’t need changing.

Serve this vegan piccata recipe over creamy mashed potatoes for the full experience, or over pasta if that’s your tradition. I know people that have Appetite for Reduction love to serve it with caulipots (a mix of mashed cauliflower and potato, obviously). 

More Vegan Piccata Ideas

So yes, Chickpea Piccata is perfect. But your mind might start going places and seeing everything as piccata. Here are a few more options to answer the burning question: What Else Can I Piccata?

Seitan Piccata — the more traditional cutlet version. A whole different recipe. Glossy sauce, meaty texture, very impressive.

Chickpea Cutlet Piccata — pan-fry these and ladle the piccata sauce right over. Outstanding.

Tofu Chicken Piccata — another gluten-free option, crispy and golden, piccata sauce takes it somewhere special.

Cauliflower Piccata —  use breaded cauliflower cutlets from this recipe for one of the best combinations!

VEGAN CHICKPEA PICCATA FAQ

What is piccata sauce made of? Piccata sauce is a simple Italian pan sauce made with white wine, lemon juice, capers, aromatics, and broth. It reduces down into something glossy, tangy, and briny that works on so many things. This recipe will make a caper lover out of you, if you aren’t already. 

What kind of breadcrumbs should I use for piccata? Whatever is vegan! Panko works. Or use store-bought or homemade. It’s hard to mess up.

Can I make this piccata gluten-free? Yes, use gluten-free breadcrumbs! Panko is great.

Can I make this without wine? For sure. Swap the wine for extra vegetable broth plus a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for depth. It won’t be quite the same but it’s still really good.

What do I serve vegan chickpea piccata with? Creamy mashed potatoes are always awesome. Pasta works great too, that is traditional. Or serve it over polenta or rice if you like! If you have the cookbook Appetite For Reduction there’s a recipe for Caulipots in there that would be awesome!

Can I add mushrooms? Hells yeah. Sliced creminis or oysters added after the aromatics and cooked for a few minutes are a fantastic addition and bulk it up nicely.

Is there a more traditional vegan piccata option? Yup — the Seitan Piccata uses seitan cutlets for a more classic presentation. 

How did I end up here? You were probably searching for “chickpea piccata,” “vegan piccata,” or “vegan chicken piccata.” This is the one! Lemony, briny, ready in 20 minutes, and made with pantry staples. Congratulations on your awesome googling.

Chickpea Picatta

Isa Chandra

The lemony, briny, glossy vegan piccata that's been making people feel fancy since 2010. White wine, capers, shallots, garlic, and chickpeas — ready in 20 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes and try not to lick the plate. Or fine, go ahead and lick the plate.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 teaspoon olive oil (use a few glugs extra if wanted/needed)
• 1 scant cup shallots thinly sliced
• 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• A few dashes fresh black pepper
• Generous pinch of dried thyme
• 1 15 oz can chickpeas (about 1 1/2 cups) drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup capers with a little brine
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 cups arugula
• Cooking spray

Instructions

 

• Preheat a large heavy bottomed pan over medium. Saute the shallots and garlic for about 5 minutes, until golden. Add the breadcrumbs and toast them by stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. They should turn a few shades darker.
• Add the vegetable broth and wine, salt, black pepper and thyme. Turn up heat and bring to a rolling boil and let the sauce reduce by 1/2, it should take about 7 minutes.
• Add the chickpeas and capers to heat through, about 3 minutes. Add the lemon and turn off the heat.
• If serving with mashed potatoes, place the arugula in a wide bowl. Place mashed potatoes on top, and ladle picatta over the potatoes. The arugula will wilt and it will be lovely. If you are serving solo, just pour right over the arugula.

Keyword chickpea piccata, vegan piccata, vegan chicken piccata, chickpea piccata recipe, easy vegan piccata, vegan Italian recipes

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