Piccata

Piccata describes meat, usually veal or chicken, that is sliced, dredged in flour, browned, then served in a sauce containing lemon juice, butter, and capers.

Chicken piccata
Chicken piccata with a side of spaghetti

Etymology

Piccata is an Italian word spelled sometimes as picatta or pichotta. The culinary use of the Italian term means "to be pounded flat". When used in reference to a way of preparing food, particularly meat or fish, it means "sliced, sautéed, and served in a sauce containing lemon, butter and spices".

Traditionally, the Italians use veal (veal piccata); however, the best known dish of this sort in the US uses chicken (chicken piccata). The recipe has a meatless adaptation using seitan (seitan piccata). Piccata is also prepared using veal (piccata di vitello al limone) or frittura piccata,[1] particularly in the Milanese region [2] swordfish (pesce spada con capperi e limone).[3][4]

Preparation

A chicken breast is butterflied or sliced along its width. It is flattened to an even thickness with a tenderizer between two pieces of wax paper or plastic wrap. It is seasoned and dredged in flour before being browned in butter or olive oil. The sauce is made using the pan drippings. Lemon juice and white wine or chicken stock are added and reduced. Shallots or garlic can be added with capers, chopped parsley and slices of lemon. After reduction, butter is stirred in to finish the sauce.[5]

In the United States, it is usually served with a vegetable or a starch, such as pasta, polenta, or rice. In Italy, veal piccata is a secondo and would be served after the pasta (or other starch) course.

  • Chicken piccata
  • Veal piccata
  • Swordfish in piccata sauce
  • Seitan Piccata

See also

References
  1. Del Conte, Anna (2013). Gastronomy of Italy: Revised Edition. ISBN 978-1862056589.
  2. Zibart, Eve (2010). The Ethnic Food Lover's Companion: A Sourcebook for Understanding the Cuisines of the World. ISBN 978-0897323727.
  3. "Ricetta Piccata di vitello al limone - RicetteMania". www.RicetteMania.it. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  4. "Pesce spada con capperi e limone". Academia Barilla - l’arte della gastronomia italiana. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  5. "Quick And Simple Chicken Piccata". Perdue.com. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
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