Chicken Saltimbocca: A Traditional Italian Dish Made Easy
Chicken Saltimbocca is a nice blend of Italian food and tradition in preparation, and simplicity in the preparation process for the final product. This delicious dish involves rolling tender pieces of chicken breasts with prosciutto and fresh sage, and preparing a tasty wine sauce that even your taste buds will appreciate. Another important feature of the Chicken Saltimbocca recipe is that it is prepared and cooked so quickly making it suitable to serve it along with a cup of tea or during a busy weeknight to feed the family and also during any special occasions.
The Essence of Chicken Saltimbocca
The name of the dish, Saltimbocca, means “jump in the mouth” and this could not be truer when relishing this morsel that delights one’s taste buds when bitten. Chicken Saltimbocca is typically prepared with veal, but the presence of chicken gives this dish just as much flavor with the bonus of being easier to acquire. Lightly pounded chicken breasts, the intensity of sage, and the saltiness of prosciutto are united here to ensure the guests taste something that they have never tasted before.
Preparing the Perfect Chicken Saltimbocca
To begin with, the chicken breasts for the saltimbocca should be prepared. By doing this, you stand to benefit from vastly improved food doneness and outstanding tenderness and juiciness of the chicken. Every chicken breast goes through the process of applying salt and pepper, arranging fresh sage leaves on the chicken breasts then wrapping them with prosciutto. Moreover, getting the prosciutto to wrap around the chicken not only provides extra protection and ensures that its saltiness is well incorporated, but also ensures that the chicken cooks in the flavors of the sage.
Coating the prepared chicken in flour is important since it forms a thin layer that aids in getting a crispy finish when fried out. The chicken is then scrambled in olive oil until it turns golden brown on both surfaces or until fully cooked. This step helps to lock in the flavors of the ingredients apart from contributing to the texture variation between the crispy prosciutto and the soft chicken.
The Magic of the Sauce
When it comes to the combination of flavors that come with Chicken Saltimbocca then everyone will get to enjoy the sauce that is used in the preparation of this meal. Additionally, after the chicken is prepared, white wine and chicken broth are poured into the skillet so the residual flavors from the chicken’s browning stage can enrich the sauce. He also believed that, as the liquid thickens the sauce thickens and at the same time intensifies in flavor. At the end, a little butter is added so that you get a kind of smooth layer that enshrouds the chicken rather well.
Serving and Enjoying Chicken Saltimbocca
To complete the serving of Chicken Saltimbocca, reintroduce the chicken back into the skillet and pour a portion of the sauce on top so that the next bite itself has the taste of the sauce. To complete the entourage, serve with slices of lemon and the final touch: a few grains of Parmesan cheese. Lemon is an element of freshness that complements perfectly the intense and warm spicy flavors of the dish.
That’s why having side dishes is so important because Chicken Saltimbocca is quite versatile and can be served with a lot of side dishes. It may also be served with roasted veggies, a basic green salad, or simply a pasta dish to accompany the rich flavor of the sauce. In this article, you will learn how to prepare chicken saltimbocca and why it is a perfect dish for every meal preparation for your family or when you are hosting guests at your house.
Try More Recipe:- Unlock the Secrets of Perfect Pulled Pork Sandwich: Easy Recipe Inside
Chicken Saltimbocca can be prepared to give the best in it, it is an Italian dish, which entails prepared chicken breasts, prosciutto, fresh sage, and white wine sauce. It is a very simple dish to prepare and can be easily completed in less than an hour making it suitable for a regular working day meal or even just because you want to impress someone.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices of prosciutto
- 8 fresh sage leaves
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 lemon, sliced (optional, for garnish)
- 1 cup baby spinach (for added greens)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (for added flavor)
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap.
- Pound the chicken with a meat mallet to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place two sage leaves on top of each chicken breast and cover with two slices of prosciutto, pressing gently to adhere.
- Dredge the Chicken:
- Lightly coat each piece of chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Sauté the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken, and prosciutto side down first, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the white wine and chicken broth.
- Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce has reduced by half.
- Add the butter and stir until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine and Serve:
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the Chicken Saltimbocca to a serving platter, garnish with lemon slices, and optionally sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve with baby spinach if desired.
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 355kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 18g28%
- Saturated Fat 8g40%
- Cholesterol 118mg40%
- Sodium 695mg29%
- Potassium 244mg7%
- Total Carbohydrate 1g1%
- Protein 37g74%
- Vitamin A 55 IU
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Calcium 26 mg
- Iron 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a clove of minced garlic to the skillet before adding the wine and broth.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken; it should be juicy and tender.
- Chicken Saltimbocca pairs well with a side of roasted vegetables or a light salad.