So here is my classic saltimbocca chicken for you: this is a traditional Italian recipe that consists of prosciutto wrapped fillets in a light white wine sauce! And it tastes even better with al dente spaghetti.
This Italian classic is so good.
So I was looking online for a good Italian veal saltimbocca recipe.
Saltimbocca is traditionally prepared with veal. But veal fillets are not always available here. So I needed an alternative for that.
And then I suddenly realised that the answer is actually pretty simple: because why not prepare a delicious Italian classic saltimbocca with chicken instead of veal?
Veal & Chicken
I also think that this saltimbocca chicken will look great on my (already packed) Christmas dinner table this year!
Delicious!
Easy Italian Saltimbocca Chicken & Prosciutto
So let’s get cracking then!
A quick look in my fridge told me that there was some lovely sliced prosciutto available. And then my little herb garden outside always provides me with a healthy bunch of fresh sage.
Well I guess that this honestly sounds like saltimbocca time!
So this time instead of the usual veal I used lightly pounded chicken fillets. My, what a great combination! And the subtle white wine sauce is also to die for.
It gives the quickly seared prosciutto wrapped saltimbocca chicken just the hearty crispiness that it needs.
Prosciutto
If you think that the chicken fillets that you bought are too thick, you can cover them with a piece of cling film. And then lightly pound them with a meat mallet until you get to the right thickness that you are looking for.
I sometimes see recipes asking to lightly flour the prepared saltimbocca chicken parcels right before serving. Well I guess that it makes them a little crunchier and that the flour kind of thickens the sauce a little as well.
I prefer them without the flour though but do as you please.
Side Dishes for Saltimbocca Chicken
Saltimboca literally means ‘jumps in the mouth’ which says enough already I think. There is nothing difficult about it.
It is just a wonderful example of Italy’s purest produce cuisine.
I usually serve this saltimbocca chicken with al dente spaghetti which is a truly delicious combination. But you can also go for a bowlful of baked gnocchi or homemade creamy polenta instead.
And if you don’t like those, then a good old scoop of buttery mashed potatoes will do as well!
Gather your beloved ones around the table and let the Italian wine flow!
Enjoy.
Easy Italian Saltimbocca Chicken Recipe
Saltimbocca chicken: a traditional Italian recipe with prosciutto wrapped chicken in a light white wine sauce!
- 4 chicken fillets
- 4 slices prosciutto
- ⅓ cup dry white wine (80 ml)
- 4 fresh sage leaves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- pepper
- salt
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Make the chicken fillets a little thinner if you find them too thick. Just cover the fillets with a piece of cling film and then pound them lightly with a meat mallet until they are thin. Place a sage leaf on top of each fillet and season with a little sprinkle of pepper and salt.
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Wrap the chicken in a slice of prosciutto. Then secure the saltimbocca parcel with a toothpick.
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Pour the olive oil in a heavy skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the wrapped chicken parcels.
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Fry them on both sides for a couple of minutes until browned.
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Then pour in the white wine.
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Cover the pan, turn the heat lower and leave the saltimbocca chicken to simmer in the wine for about 4 minutes. Check the seasoning. Add pepper or salt to taste. Transfer the saltimbocca chicken onto plates. Serve with mashed potatoes or cooked pasta.
