The Irresistible Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe Everyone Loves
Mastering chicken saltimbocca brings an Italian classic right to your kitchen with surprising ease.
Tender chicken breasts get draped in prosciutto and sage, creating a dish that whispers elegance.
Classic Roman flavors dance across the plate, revealing layers of delicate texture and rich complexity.
This recipe transforms simple ingredients into something magical and memorable.
Restaurants charge premium prices for such sophisticated meals, but you can craft this masterpiece at home.
Fragrant herbs and crisp prosciutto elevate every single bite beyond ordinary weeknight cooking.
Let’s uncover how to make this stunning dish that will impress even the most discerning palates.
Why Chicken Saltimbocca Feels Fancy But Easy
What You’ll Need For Chicken Saltimbocca
Meat Base:Cheese and Herbs:Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:Steps To Cook Chicken Saltimbocca Right
Step 1: Customize Chicken Prep
Gather your chicken breasts and gently pat them dry. Season each piece with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Layer a delicate slice of prosciutto on top of each chicken breast. Carefully press two fresh sage leaves onto the prosciutto. Crown each piece with a slice of your favorite cheese. Lightly dust the bottom side of the chicken with flour, keeping the prosciutto side untouched.
Step 2: Sizzle and Golden Perfection
Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle in olive oil and add a knob of butter, creating a delicious cooking base. Gently place the chicken into the pan, positioning the prosciutto side facing upward. Let the chicken dance in the pan, cooking for about 3-4 minutes on each side until it turns a beautiful golden brown and cooks completely through. Transfer the chicken to a warm plate, keeping it cozy.
Step 3: Craft a Luscious Sauce
In the same skillet, pour in white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits clinging to the bottom. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce. Add:Let the liquid bubble and reduce by half. Whisk in a pat of butter to create a silky, glossy finish. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Elegant Plating
Generously spoon the luxurious sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately alongside:Pro Tips For Making Chicken Saltimbocca At Home
Best Way To Store Chicken Saltimbocca
Delicious Sides To Serve With Chicken Saltimbocca
Fun Ways To Adapt Chicken Saltimbocca
FAQs On Chicken Saltimbocca
Saltimbocca translates to “jump in the mouth” in Italian, which refers to how deliciously flavorful and quick this dish is to eat.
While traditional saltimbocca uses veal, chicken is a popular and delicious alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. You can also use turkey as a substitute.
Fresh sage leaves are recommended for the best flavor and authentic texture. Dried sage won’t provide the same vibrant taste and aromatic quality that fresh leaves do.
A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is ideal. The wine should be something you’d enjoy drinking, as it adds depth to the sauce’s flavor profile.
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Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent chicken saltimbocca brings Italian culinary magic straight from Roman kitchens onto your dinner plate. Prosciutto and sage dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that elevates simple ingredients into an elegant masterpiece you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Chicken Saltimbocca
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ½-inch thickness)
- 4 slices prosciutto
Cheese and Herbs:
- 4 slices fontina cheese (or mozzarella or provolone)
- 8 fresh sage leaves
Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) unsalted butter
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken cutlets by gently seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage across the surface.
- Layer a delicate slice of prosciutto over each seasoned cutlet, carefully pressing two fresh sage leaves onto the cured meat.
- Crown the prosciutto with a thin slice of your preferred cheese, creating a flavorful topping.
- Lightly dust the bare side of the chicken with a fine coating of flour, avoiding the prosciutto-covered surface.
- Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat, combining olive oil and butter to create a rich cooking medium.
- Carefully place the prepared chicken into the skillet, positioning the prosciutto side facing upward.
- Cook each side for approximately 3-4 minutes, allowing the chicken to develop a golden-brown crust and cook thoroughly.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a warm plate, preserving its temperature and texture.
- Deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine, using a wooden spoon to lift the caramelized bits from the pan’s bottom.
- Allow the wine to simmer and reduce, concentrating its flavors.
- Pour in chicken broth and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, creating a vibrant pan sauce.
- Reduce the liquid by half, concentrating the flavors and achieving a slightly thickened consistency.
- Finish the sauce by whisking in a pat of butter, creating a silky, luxurious texture.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Generously drizzle the sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is beautifully coated.
- Serve immediately alongside your favorite accompaniments like creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, or a crisp green salad.
Notes
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create a crispy exterior when searing.
- Swap prosciutto with turkey bacon for a lower-fat alternative or use vegetarian cheese for a meat-free version.
- Use fresh sage leaves for maximum flavor, pressing them gently into the prosciutto to help them stick during cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet to maintain high heat and achieve proper golden-brown caramelization on the chicken.
- Monitor cooking time carefully, as chicken breasts can quickly become tough and dry when overcooked.
- Select a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for deglazing to add subtle complexity to the sauce.
- Quickly whisk cold butter into the sauce off the heat to create a smooth, glossy finish without breaking the emulsion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Emily Morgan
Food Critic & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Global Food Exploration & Critique, Simple Kitchen Hacks & Time-Saving Tips, Presentation & Plating Techniques, Culinary Research & Storytelling.
Education
New York University
Emily Morgan has journeyed across the globe, collecting culinary secrets that turn everyday ingredients into impressive meals.
Based in Seattle and armed with a Journalism degree from NYU, she blends thorough research with a flair for presentation, ensuring every dish looks just as good as it tastes.
Focusing on fresh flavors, simple methods, and a bit of fun, Emily shows home cooks how to elevate their daily cooking without fancy gadgets or complex steps.