This Cod Piccata with Creamy Sauce is a quick 30-minute dinner recipe that's perfectly creamy, a bit briny, and so good. The cod is pan-seared to golden perfection and then smothered with a creamy piccata sauce.
I love cod. It's a delicious fish that not only has many health benefits but also cooks fast. That's why cod is a mandatory ingredient in my weekly grocery bag.
Speaking of fast, have you tried my seared cod in tomato-caper sauce? It's ready to be served in just 20 minutes.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a good piccata recipe, and this one with cod is a fresh, flavorful take on the classic. Here's why this recipe stands out:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe can be put together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Versatile: The delicate flavor of cod makes it a perfect canvas for the vibrant, tangy piccata sauce.
- Health Benefits: Cod is a lean, healthy source of protein, and the sauce is packed with fresh, zesty flavors.
- Family-Friendly: The mild flavor of cod and the brightness of the piccata sauce make this a dish that even picky eaters can enjoy.
Key Ingredients
- Cod Fillet – We use fresh cod fillets as the star of this dish. Their mild, flaky flesh is the perfect canvas for the tangy piccata sauce.
- Chicken Broth – This is the base of our sauce, infusing it with a savory flavor that complements the mildness of the cod.
- Heavy Cream – The creaminess of the heavy cream adds a luxurious texture to the sauce, making it velvety and rich.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is a key flavor component in the piccata sauce. It adds a robust, aromatic note that pairs beautifully with the cod.
- Lemon Juice – The acidity of the lemon juice cuts through the richness of the sauce and the cod, adding a bright, tangy flavor.
- Butter – We use butter for searing the cod fillets. It adds a rich, savory flavor and helps achieve a beautifully golden, crispy crust on the outside of the fillets.
Substitutions and Variations
This cod piccata recipe is a delicious and easy way to prepare cod. Here are a few ideas to change things up:
- Try a Different Fish: Feel free to swap out the cod for other fish such as sole, snapper, halibut, trout, or tilapia.
- More Zesty: This dish is all about bright, lemony flavors. Feel free to add extra lemon zest or a splash of white wine to the sauce for a little twist.
- Make it Dairy-Free: If you're dairy-free or just looking for a lighter option, you can skip the heavy cream and use a dairy-free butter substitute. The sauce may not thicken as much, but it will still be delicious.
How to Make Cod Piccata
Step 1: Cut the cod fillet into pieces and season both sides with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix flour and Parmesan cheese. Coat the cod fillets in the flour-cheese mixture.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook the fillets for 4-5 minutes on each side. In the same pan, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Then, add heavy cream and chicken broth.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of Piccata sauce. Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and whisk until the sauce thickens. Then, add lemon juice, capers, and season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Return the cod to the pan, simmer for a minute, and remove from the heat. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Cod Piccata
Sides
- I love serving rich and saucy recipes like this with rice or my Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. It's your regular mashed potatoes recipe taken up a notch. Plus, it's really easy to make.
Salads
- For a pop of color on a plate, I recommend adding a simple salad like Marinated Raw Zucchini Salad or Georgian Mini Sweet Peppers And Zucchini Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common fish used for piccata is white fish. Cod, tilapia, and flounder are popular choices. For this recipe, we used cod because of its mild flavor and flaky texture.
Piccata is an Italian word that refers to a method of preparing food, usually meat or fish. It is a popular technique where the protein is sliced, coated in flour, and then sauté in a lemon and caper sauce.
Cod piccata can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Recipe
Cod Piccata
Video
Ingredients
Click on the highlighted link to purchase the ingredients
- 1 ½ pound cod fillet
- ⅓ c flour
- ¼ c Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 c chicken broth
- ½ c heavy cream
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- ¼ c capers
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt, pepper
- 2 tablespoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cut cod fillet to desired size pieces and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a medium shallow bowl combine flour and Parmesan cheese. Dip cod fillets into a flour-cheese mixture and shake off any excess flour.
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet and over medium heat. Place fillets in a skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until slightly browned. Transfer cooked fillets to a plate.
- In the same pan melt butter on a medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Add heavy cream and chicken broth and wait until it bubbles.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl whisk together corn starch and 1 tablespoon of Piccata sauce. Add the corn starch mixture to the pan with the sauce and whisk until thickens.
- Add lemon juice, capers, season the sauce with salt and pepper.
- Add Cod back to the pan, simmer for another minute and remove from the heat.
- Sprinkle Cod Piccata with fresh parsley and serve immediately!
Nutrition
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Nina says
I made it finally. It’s just great! Easy, flavorful and so delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Jack says
Made this last weekend and it turned out great! I’ve added it to my favorites and will be making again! Thanks for the great recipe!’
Iryna Bychkiv says
Jack, thank you for your comment and 5-star rating! I'm happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Candice says
Delicious recipe! I didn't have as much sauce as you did in your picture though, but it turned out great, regardless.
Iryna Bychkiv says
Candice, thank you for your comment! I'm happy you enjoyed this cod recipe!
Nicole says
This was delicious! I made it last night and my family wants it again tonight. So happy I picked up that jar of capers at TJ Maxx! FYI I pin and try recipes every single week and this is the first time I've ever commented on one - that's how much we loved this 🙂
Iryna Bychkiv says
Nicole, thank you for your comment and 5-star rating! I'm so happy you loved this cod recipe:)