Italian Chicken Saltimbocca: Quick Gourmet Meal at Home Recipe

Introduction

Italian Chicken Saltimbocca is a classic, elegant dish that’s surprisingly quick and easy to prepare at home. Featuring tender chicken breasts wrapped with prosciutto and fresh sage, it delivers a burst of rich, savory flavors in every bite.

A white bowl holds four baked chicken pieces, each topped with a slice of melted cheese and a strip of crispy, golden-brown bacon. The chicken is glazed with a shiny, slightly oily sauce in a warm orange-yellow color that pools at the bottom. Fresh, finely chopped green herbs are sprinkled evenly over all the chicken pieces, adding a fresh burst of color. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some fresh tomatoes and greens blurred softly in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 slices prosciutto
  • 8 fresh sage leaves
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free blend if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil/butter)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (adjust if using salted butter)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional, can substitute with lemon juice)
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Flatten the chicken breasts between plastic wrap using a meat mallet until about ½ inch thick to ensure even cooking.
  2. Step 2: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Step 3: Place two slices of prosciutto and one fresh sage leaf on each chicken breast, wrapping them to create a flavorful bundle.
  4. Step 4: Lightly dredge each wrapped chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess.
  5. Step 5: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  6. Step 6: Add the chicken, prosciutto side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes until the prosciutto is golden brown and crispy.
  7. Step 7: Flip the chicken, add the remaining butter, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  8. Step 8: Remove the chicken from the pan and pour in the chicken broth and white wine, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
  9. Step 9: Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  10. Step 10: Return the chicken to the pan to soak in the sauce before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use gluten-free flour if you prefer a gluten-free dish without sacrificing texture.
  • Substitute white wine with lemon juice for a tangier sauce.
  • For extra flavor, add a splash of Marsala wine instead of white wine.
  • Serve with sautéed greens or creamy polenta for a complete Italian meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken saltimbocca in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave to keep the chicken tender and avoid drying out the sauce.

How to Serve

The dish shows four stuffed chicken breasts in a white round pan, each breast topped with a melted golden cheese layer that bubbles and browns slightly, with visible herbs scattered on top. Inside each chicken breast, there is a red pepper or tomato layer, adding a bright contrast. The chicken breasts sit in a light yellow sauce with some small cherry tomatoes placed in the pan, giving red and yellow pops of color. The whole dish is garnished with fresh green herbs, and the pan is resting on a white marbled surface, with blurred fresh lemons and greens in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for even cooking and easy wrapping, but you can use bone-in chicken if properly trimmed and flattened. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh sage?

If fresh sage is unavailable, dried sage can be used, though in smaller amounts as it is more concentrated. Alternatively, fresh thyme can add a lovely herbal note.

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Italian Chicken Saltimbocca: Quick Gourmet Meal at Home Recipe

Italian Chicken Saltimbocca is a quick and elegant gourmet meal featuring tender chicken breasts wrapped with savory prosciutto and fresh sage leaves. Pan-seared to a golden crisp and finished in a flavorful white wine and chicken broth sauce, this classic Italian dish offers a perfect balance of rich flavors and simple preparation, ideal for a delightful home-cooked dinner.

  • Author: Lena
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Wrapping

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 slices prosciutto
  • 8 fresh sage leaves

Coating and Cooking

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free blend if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil/butter)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (adjust if using salted butter)

Sauce

  • 1 cup chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional, can substitute with lemon juice)

Seasoning

  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by flattening chicken breasts between plastic wrap with a meat mallet until they are about ½ inch thick to ensure even cooking.
  2. Season: Generously sprinkle both sides of the flattened chicken breasts with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
  3. Wrap: Place two slices of prosciutto and one fresh sage leaf on each chicken breast, wrapping them together to create a flavorful bundle.
  4. Dredge: Lightly coat each wrapped chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess to prevent clumping during cooking.
  5. Heat Pan: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2 minutes.
  6. Cook Chicken Proscuitto Side Down: Add the chicken bundles prosciutto side down to the hot pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the prosciutto turns golden brown and crispy.
  7. Flip and Cook: Carefully turn the chicken over, add the remaining butter, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  8. Add Liquids: Remove the chicken from the pan and pour in the chicken broth and white wine. Use a spatula to scrape and loosen the browned bits from the pan to create a flavorful sauce.
  9. Reduce Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, intensifying the rich flavor.
  10. Serve: Return the chicken to the pan to soak in the sauce briefly, then transfer to plates for serving, ensuring each piece is coated with the delicious sauce.

Notes

  • Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten chicken breasts evenly for consistent cooking.
  • If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute white wine with an equal amount of lemon juice or additional chicken broth.
  • To keep the prosciutto crispy, make sure the pan is properly heated before adding the chicken.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if using salted butter to avoid over-salting.
  • Internal temperature of 165°F is critical to ensure safe poultry consumption.

Keywords: Italian chicken saltimbocca, chicken with prosciutto and sage, quick Italian dinner, stovetop chicken recipe, gourmet chicken breast

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