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    Home » Seafood

    Published: Aug, 2024. Updated: Mar, 2021 by Iryna Bychkiv | This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here

    Cod Piccata - Cod Fillet Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Easy Cod Piccata in a skillet.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Stands Out
    • Key Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to Make Cod Piccata
    • What to Serve with Cod Piccata
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes You'll Enjoy

    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.

    Cod Piccata

    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

    What type of fish is best for piccata?

    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.

    What does the term "piccata" mean?

    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.

    How long does cod piccata keep?

    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

    Creamy cod piccata with capers in a pan.

    Cod Piccata

    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.
    4.68 from 62 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 433kcal
    Author: Iryna Bychkiv
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    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

    Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 745mg | Potassium: 789mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 827IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Lavender.And.Macarons or tag #lavenderandmacarons!

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    Iryna Bychkiv
    Website

    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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nina says

      April 03, 2025 at 2:54 pm

      I made it finally. It’s just great! Easy, flavorful and so delicious. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    2. Jack says

      April 13, 2024 at 11:06 pm

      5 stars
      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!’

      Reply
      • Iryna Bychkiv says

        April 18, 2024 at 11:14 am

        Jack, thank you for your comment and 5-star rating! I'm happy you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Candice says

      April 05, 2024 at 10:22 pm

      Delicious recipe! I didn't have as much sauce as you did in your picture though, but it turned out great, regardless.

      Reply
      • Iryna Bychkiv says

        April 06, 2024 at 3:20 pm

        Candice, thank you for your comment! I'm happy you enjoyed this cod recipe!

        Reply
    4. Nicole says

      March 03, 2024 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Iryna Bychkiv says

        March 04, 2024 at 2:26 pm

        Nicole, thank you for your comment and 5-star rating! I'm so happy you loved this cod recipe:)

        Reply
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    4.68 from 62 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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    The photo of Iryna Bychkiv, the writer and owner of a culinary website - Lavender & Macarons.

    I'm Iryna - a healthy food writer, photographer, and taster behind Lavender & Macarons. Here, you'll find healthy, clean recipes that are easy to prepare, made with wholesome ingredients, and approved by picky eaters. More about Iryna...

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