Chickpea Piccata Recipe

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Delicious and healthy – This Chickpea Piccata is a vegetarian twist on traditional Chicken Piccata! Featuring plump, tender chickpeas bathed in a smooth, buttery piccata sauce with notes of lemon and nuances of white wine! Serve your Italian chickpeas over over cauliflower “mashed potatoes” and I guarantee you won’t miss the meat at all! This vegetarian piccata is easy to make comfort food at it’s finest! 

Update: This post was originally published in March 2017. I’ve updated the post below to include more information about this easy vegetarian piccata. Plus, I added a recipe video to show you how easy this dish is to make! 

Hey there friends! Happy first Monday of March!

You know what I just realized? The last two weeks here on the blog have been filled with chicken. There’s been curried chicken, Cajun chicken, chicken soup, spicy chicken… basically, I made chicken all the ways. You’re probably over there thinking I cluck as a second language!

The thing is, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Don’t get me wrong, I like chicken as much as the next non-vegetarian person! However, we don’t eat it at every meal. Or, every third or fourth meal for that matter!

So today, we are going to make something decidedly NOT chicken… or even beef or seafood actually! Instead, we are going to do it up Meatless Monday style!

Our taste buds are going to BASK in the deliciousness that is a meal made without a lick of meat. And, it is going to be absolutely divine! You are going to completely forget about that fact that I eat chicken at all. In fact, by the time we are done, you are going to be all like, chicken WHO?! Bring on all the chickpeas and all the vegetarian dinners!

About this recipe for chickpea piccata

Alias – Piccata gone trendy with a vegetarian twist. Because, meatless meals ARE totally trendy!

This recipe features plump, perfectly tender and soft chickpeas bathed in a velvety, smooth, buttery, rich, yet light piccata sauce with notes of tart lemon and dry white wine; pops of briny capers and a generous sprinkling of fresh, herbaceous parsley.

But, that’s not all! This vegetarian piccata gets piled high on some healthy, silky, smooth, creamy, dreamy, parmesan studded cauliflower mashed ‘potatoes’.

UGH. So good it hurts.

Serve it up with some crusty artisan bread for soaking up the sauce and you have a meal that is straight up fabulous. Gone with the wind fabulous. (Name the TV show that is from and I’ll give you a virtual high five!)

How to make vegetarian piccata?

This chickpea piccata recipe is so easy to make and comes together in about 15 minutes or less!

First, melt some butter and oil in a large skillet and sauté a finely diced shallot. Add in the garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook until fragrant. If you want a thicker piccata sauce, now would be the time to whisk a little flour into butter and vegetables. If not, skip the flour and add in the white wine. Cook until the wine is reduced and thickened. Add in some stock, a splash of lemon juice and dump in the garbanzos.

Cook the chickpeas until the liquid is again reduced and the beans are warmed throughout, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and gently stir in a few pats of butter, the capers and fresh parsley.

All that is left to do is garnish the piccata with a lemon slice or two, and sprinkle everything with more parsley and parmesan.

Then take a big ‘ole bite and pat yourself on the back.

Meatless Monday has never looked so good!

Tips for the best piccata recipe

1. When steaming the cauliflower, you can substitute water, or broth, for the stock. You can use a combination of stock and water. I use stock because it adds a lot of flavor.
2. When preparing the cauliflower for the mash, you will want to cut the head of cauliflower into florets, and then cut the florets into roughly ½ – 1’’ pieces. You don’t need to be exact. Just know if you leave your pieces of cauliflower on the larger side, they will take longer to become completely soft when steaming, so you will need to add a few minutes to the cook time.
3. If you have an immersion blender, I recommend you use it when making the cauliflower mash, instead of transferring everything to the food processor. Simply drain the cauliflower and return it back to the pot and follow the instructions as directed, adding the butter and milk, then stir in the parmesan cheese.
4. If you want to save time, the cauliflower mash can be made up to 3 days in advance, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the mash in a small saucepan over low heat and cook until warmed throughout, stirring occasionally. Add a splash or two of more milk or butter if desired.
5. If you want your piccata sauce a little thicker and creamier, you can add a little bit of flour. You will want to add it to the pan after the garlic, and before the wine. Optional instructions are in the recipe below – jut make sure you cook (and stir) the flour for at least a minute to cook off the raw flour taste. I have made the lemon piccata both with, and without, the addition of flour, and I personally like it without the flour. I find the sauce to be more velvety, delicate and buttery without the flour, but like always, I encourage you to make this chickpea recipe your own!

FAQs: frequently asked questions

What is piccata sauce?

Piccata, which originates in Italy, is a light sauce made of butter, lemon juice, capers, stock and white wine. Sometimes shallots and garlic are added to the sauce for more flavor.

Typically piccata sauce is served over browned chicken or veal cutlets and accompanied by pasta or polenta. However, the sauce also pairs well with any mild fish, salmon, or in the case of this vegetarian piccata recipe, tender chickpeas.

What does piccata mean?

Piccata, also spelled picatta or pichotta, means ‘larded’ in Italian.

What does piccata sauce taste like?

Piccata sauce is a silky sauce that tastes buttery with bright, briny flavors and a punch of fresh acidic lemon.

How to make lemon piccata sauce thicker?

Piccata sauce can be made thicker by incorporating flour into the sauce. Whisking flour into the melted butter (making a roux) before adding the wine and stock will create a thicker piccata sauce.

Can chickpea piccata be made ahead of time?

While you can make garbanzo bean piccata ahead of time, and gently reheat it on the stove before serving, I don’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Since Italian piccata is a light, bright dish with fresh flavors, preparing it in advance and reheating it will diminish the flavors.

Serving garbanzo piccata

Wondering what are the best sides dishes to serve with chickpea veggie piccata? Check out below for some dinner inspo:

• Bread – Fluffy dinner rolls, breadsticks, garlic bread, and parker style rolls are recommended for sopping up all that luscious buttery piccata sauce.
• Leafy Green Salads – Pair your rich piccata with your favorite leafy green salad. Use a vinaigrette dressing so the acidity cuts through the richness of the butter sauce.
• Mash – Indulge in a luxuriously comforting meal and pair your Italian dinner with fluffy mashed potatoes, mash butternut squash, or mashed cauliflower (shown here).
• Noodles – If you prefer twirling noodles over ‘taters, serve your picatta over a pile of buttered noodles.
• Rice – Prefer grains to pasta? Perfect! These buttered chickpeas are so good over fluffy lemon rice!
• Veggies – Roast, saute, or grill up your favorite seasonal veggies to create a simple side dish.
• Marinated Veggies – Marinate tomatoes or mushrooms in flavored oil for the best quick and easy side.

Lightened up, yet downright delicious AND made meatless for the Monday win, this Lemon Piccata with chickpeas and parmesan mash is everything a meal makeover should be!

Until Friday, friends, cheers!

Cheyanne

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More delicious chickpea recipes!

If you love this recipe vegetarian piccata, try one of these garbanzo bean recipes next!

• Crispy Roasted Chickpeas
•  Smashed Chickpea Salad
• Falafel with Canned Chickpeas
• Chickpea Soup

The best Chickpea Piccata recipe plus step-by-step video👇

Chickpea Piccata with Parmesan Cauliflower Mash

5 from 15 votes

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

This Chickpea Piccata with Cauliflower Mashed 'Potatoes' is a healthy, vegetarian twist on traditional Piccata. Plump, tender chickpeas in a smooth, buttery piccata sauce with notes of lemon and nuances of white wine, served over cauliflower mock mashed potatoes. This dish is so delicious you won't miss the meat at all!

Ingredients 

Chickpea Piccata

• 5 TBS Unsalted Butter - DIVIDED
• 1 TBS Olive Oil
• 1 Shallot – peeled and finely diced
• 2 Cloves Garlic – peeled and minced
• 2 tsp All Purpose Flour - OPTIONAL (SEE NOTES)
• ¾ Cup Dry White Wine
• 1 ¾ Cup Reduced Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Stock - DIVIDED (SEE NOTES)
• 1 Lemon - juiced (about 2 TBS)
• 1 (19 ounce) can Cooked Chickpeas – drained and rinsed
• 2 TBS Brined Capers - or more to taste ; drained
• 2 TBS Fresh Parsley – roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper - to taste

Cauliflower Mash

• 1 Large Head Cauliflower – florets roughly chopped into 1-½’’ pieces
• 3 TBS Milk
• ¼ Cup Parmesan , grated
• Optional Garnishes: Lemon Slices, Fresh Parsley, Grated Parmesan, Micro Greens

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Make the Cauliflower Mash: In a large pot, bring 1 cup chicken stock* and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add the cauliflower and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and steam cauliflower for 18-20 minutes, or until cauliflower is very tender.
• Drain the cauliflower and transfer to a food processor*. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add it to the food processor along with the milk. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the processor as necessary. (Add extra milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if a thinner consistency is desired). Add cheese to food processor and pulse until the cheese is just combined. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.*
• Meanwhile, make the Chickpea Piccata: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté until softened, about 2 minutes. Add in the garlic, ¼ teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (*Optional - For a thicker sauce, sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring.)
• Add the wine, increase heat to medium-high and cook until reduced and thickened, about 4 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock, lemon juice and chickpeas to the pan. Cook until liquid is again reduced and the chickpeas are warmed through, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of butter, capers, and parsley until melted and sauce is velvety, about 1 minute. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To Serve: Divide cauliflower mash evenly among plates and make a small well in the center. Top with chickpeas and piccata sauce. Garnish with lemon slices, grated parmesan and parsley. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

1. When steaming the cauliflower, you can substitute water, or broth, for the stock. You can use a combination of stock and water. I use stock because it adds a lot of flavor.

2. When preparing the cauliflower for the mash, you will want to cut the head of cauliflower into florets, and then cut the florets into roughly ½ - 1’’ pieces. You don’t need to be exact. Just know if you leave your pieces of cauliflower on the larger side, they will take longer to become completely soft when steaming, so you will need to add a few minutes to the cook time.

3. If you have an immersion blender, I recommend you use it when making the cauliflower mash, instead of transferring everything to the food processor. Simply drain the cauliflower and return it back to the pot and follow the instructions as directed, adding the butter and milk, then stir in the parmesan cheese.

4. If you want to save time, the cauliflower mash can be made up to 3 days in advance, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the mash in a small saucepan over low heat and cook until warmed throughout, stirring occasionally. Add a splash or two of more milk or butter if desired.

5. If you want your piccata sauce a little thicker and creamier, you can add a little bit of flour. You will want to add it to the pan after the garlic, and before the wine. I included the optional instructions in the recipe below, but make sure you cook (and stir) the flour for at least a minute to cook off the raw flour taste. I have made the piccata sauce both with, and without, the addition of flour, and I personally like it without the flour. I find the sauce to be more velvety, delicate and buttery without the flour, but like always, I encourage you to make this recipe your own!

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal    Carbohydrates: 5g    Protein: 5g    Fat: 20g    Saturated Fat: 10g    Cholesterol: 42mg    Sodium: 456mg    Potassium: 171mg    Sugar: 1g    Vitamin A: 755IU    Vitamin C: 4.3mg    Calcium: 104mg    Iron: 0.8mg

Course: entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

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