Sizzling Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe: A Tangy Italian Delight

My passion for classic italian cuisine sparked an incredible chicken saltimbocca journey that blends tender meat with rich, aromatic flavors.

Sage leaves and prosciutto create a magical combination in this Roman-inspired dish.

Regional cooking traditions shine through each carefully prepared bite.

Restaurants across Italy celebrate this delightful recipe that marries delicate chicken with salty cured ham.

Crisp prosciutto and fragrant herbs dance together, creating a sensational meal that feels both elegant and comforting.

You’ll discover an authentic technique that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality experience.

Dive into this recipe and savor every delectable moment.

Why Chicken Saltimbocca Steals the Show

• Conquer Gourmet Cooking: Transform your kitchen into a high-end restaurant with this elegant Italian dish that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Quick Restaurant-Style Meal: Create a sophisticated chicken dish in just a few simple steps, perfect for impressing dinner guests or enjoying a special weeknight meal.
• Master Simple Technique: Learn classic culinary skills like pounding chicken, using prosciutto, and creating a rich pan sauce that elevates your cooking confidence.
• Versatile Dinner Solution: Adaptable recipe that works for romantic dinners, family meals, or entertaining friends with minimal prep and maximum flavor impact.

What Goes Into Chicken Saltimbocca Magic

• Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender meat that serves as the base of the dish.
• Prosciutto: Thin, salty Italian ham that adds rich flavor and crispy texture to the chicken.

• Black Pepper, Sage Leaf: Classic seasonings that provide warmth and earthy aromatic notes to the chicken.

• All-Purpose Flour: Used for lightly dusting the chicken to create a delicate golden crust.
• White Wine, Butter: Essential components for creating a smooth, rich pan sauce that complements the chicken's flavor.

• Olive Oil: Provides a medium for cooking the chicken and helps achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
• Toothpicks: Used to secure prosciutto and sage leaf to the chicken during cooking.

Cooking Chicken Saltimbocca Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Breasts

Grab your chicken breasts and place them between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken until it’s uniformly thin.

Slice each breast in half to create four evenly sized pieces.

Step 2: Layer Flavor Makers

Sprinkle black pepper across each chicken piece.

Fold prosciutto slices and drape them over the chicken. Place a fresh sage leaf on top of each prosciutto slice.

Secure everything with a toothpick to keep the layers together.

Step 3: Create Crispy Coating

Lightly dust the bare side of each chicken piece with flour.

Tap off any excess flour to ensure a light, even coating.

Step 4: Sear Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place chicken pieces prosciutto-side down. Cook for about 90 seconds until the prosciutto turns golden and crispy.

Flip and cook the other side for roughly 1 minute.

Step 5: Build Delicious Sauce

Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Pour out excess oil but keep those delicious browned bits. Add white wine to the pan and let it simmer briefly.

Use a spatula to scrape up all the flavorful remnants from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 6: Finish with Silky Sauce

Turn off the heat.

Drop cold butter cubes into the pan. Gently swirl until butter melts completely, creating a luxurious sauce that coats the pan.

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Transfer chicken to serving plates. Drizzle the rich wine-butter sauce over the top.

Remove toothpicks before enjoying this elegant Italian-inspired dish.

Little Tips That Make Saltimbocca Shine

• Tenderize chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry spots.
• Use fresh sage leaves for the most vibrant and aromatic flavor in the dish.
• Pat chicken dry before flouring to help create a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.
• Select a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to enhance the sauce's depth without overpowering the delicate chicken.
• Remove toothpicks immediately before serving to prevent accidental biting and ensure safe dining.

Flavor Spins for Chicken Saltimbocca Fans

• Mediterranean Chicken Crunch: Replace sage with fresh rosemary and add crushed pine nuts on top for extra texture and nutty flavor.
• Spicy Roman Style: Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the chicken before cooking and use spicy capicola instead of prosciutto for a bolder taste profile.
• Herb Garden Fusion: Mix chopped fresh thyme and parsley with the flour coating and use pancetta as an alternative protein wrapper for deeper Italian authenticity.
• Creamy White Wine Version: Add a splash of heavy cream to the pan sauce after reducing wine, creating a richer, more luxurious finish to the classic recipe.

What to Plate with Chicken Saltimbocca

• Elevate Wine Harmony: Pair this classic chicken saltimbocca with a crisp, dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Vermentino that complements the prosciutto's saltiness and cuts through the buttery sauce.
• Cheese Companion: Select a mild, creamy Italian cheese like fresh mozzarella or burrata as a side, which balances the savory chicken and adds a smooth textural contrast.
• Herb-Infused Side: Create a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to match the sage's earthy notes and provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint to the rich chicken dish.
• Mediterranean Vegetable Accent: Roast some zucchini or asparagus with olive oil and herbs to bring additional Mediterranean flavors that align perfectly with the saltimbocca's Italian roots.

How to Keep Chicken Saltimbocca Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken saltimbocca in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• Microwave Reheating: Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 30-45 seconds until warmed through. Check internal temperature reaches 74°C.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 175°C. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.
• Skillet Reheating: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small amount of olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring even heating without burning the prosciutto.

Chicken Saltimbocca FAQs Unwrapped

• What is prosciutto and why is it used in this recipe?

Prosciutto is a thin, salty Italian dry-cured ham that adds rich flavor and delicate texture to the chicken. It provides a savory contrast to the mild chicken and complements the sage perfectly.

• Can I substitute fresh sage if I don't have dried sage leaves?

Absolutely! Fresh sage works wonderfully in this recipe. If using fresh sage, simply place a whole leaf on top of the chicken before securing with a toothpick, just like in the original instructions.

• Why do we dust the chicken with flour before cooking?

Flour creates a light, crispy exterior on the chicken and helps develop a golden-brown color when seared. It also helps thicken the sauce and provides a beautiful texture to the final dish.

Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken saltimbocca dances with Italian flair, blending sage-kissed chicken, prosciutto, and melted mozzarella in a delightful culinary symphony. Each forkful promises a romantic journey through Roman kitchens, inviting you to savor authentic Mediterranean flavors.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 large chicken breast (sliced in half horizontally)
• 4 slices of prosciutto
• 4 large sage leaves

Seasoning and Flour:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 small pinch of salt

Liquids and Fat:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup white wine (Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay)
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cubed

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Instructions

1. Tenderize chicken breasts to paper-thin consistency using a meat mallet, creating 4 evenly sized pieces.
2. Generously season chicken with freshly cracked black pepper, laying a folded prosciutto slice atop each piece.
3. Carefully position a delicate sage leaf on prosciutto and secure with a toothpick, ensuring ingredients are tightly bound.
4. Lightly dust unadorned side of chicken with flour, gently shaking off any excess coating.
5. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2 minutes.
6. Carefully place chicken into hot skillet with prosciutto-side facing down, cooking for 90 seconds until golden and crisp.
7. Flip chicken and sear opposite side for an additional minute, ensuring even cooking and crispy exterior.
8. Transfer cooked chicken to a serving plate, reserving skillet with remaining cooking remnants.
9. Deglaze pan by pouring white wine, allowing liquid to simmer and lift browned flavor bits from skillet bottom.
10. Remove skillet from heat and introduce cold butter cubes, gently swirling until sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
11. Drizzle luxurious pan sauce over chicken pieces, removing toothpicks before serving to prevent accidental biting.

Notes

• Pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender texture.
• Use fresh sage leaves for authentic Italian herbal flavor and aroma.
• Choose high-quality prosciutto for a rich, delicate taste that complements the chicken.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere and create a crispy golden crust.
• Swirl butter gently to create a silky sauce without breaking the emulsion.
• Remove toothpicks before serving to prevent accidental biting or choking.
• Consider gluten-free option by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour.
• Serve immediately to maintain the crispy prosciutto and prevent soggy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 37g
• Cholesterol: 90mg